New Director of Pastoral Theology and Care

After an extensive search, the EFCA has named Scott Barber as director of pastoral theology and care. He will join the theology and credentialing team with a rich EFCA background and significant pastoral experience in care and counseling.  

Under the leadership of Greg Strand, executive director of theology and credentialing, Scott Barber will provide visionary leadership, develop practical resources and offer pastoral care to EFCA leaders so that they can serve with excellence. In addition, he will oversee Recovery Churches, EFCA Pastor Search and the jobs board for local churches, credentialing and chaplains.  

“We are grateful to the Lord for bringing Scott Barber into this important and strategic ministry of pastoral theology and care. In the providence of God, Scott is uniquely gifted and suited to serve in this role, having been prepared through his education, training, experience and local church ministry. We are excited for Scott to join us as he serves the Lord Jesus Christ through serving others in the EFCA,” said Greg Strand. 

Scott has served as the senior pastor at Grace Community Church (EFCA) in Worthington, Minnesota, a congregation of 200 attendees, for almost 14 years. In those early years, Scott came alongside Grace during a season of revitalization and relied on the care of the North Central District to help him overcome a variety of challenges. Through this experience, he recognized the significant value of being part of a movement that cares about pastoral health. 

Prior to his time at Grace, Scott served as a pastoral resident at Antioch Community Church (EFCA) in Minneapolis and earned his Master of Divinity from Bethel Seminary in Minnesota during that time. Scott is ordained in the Evangelical Free Church of America.  

In addition to pastoral experience, Scott brings clinical experience. He earned his Master of Science in Community Counseling from the University of Nebraska (2005) and served three years as a licensed professional counselor and manager of operations for a counseling center in Nebraska. 

Scott and his wife Jane have two sons, Ian and Xander. He enjoys playing sports, having deep conversations on theology, philosophy and leadership, and is a college football fan. He’s eager to come alongside pastors as they navigate the challenges of ministry. Scott shared:

“I am humbled and honored to serve as the director of pastoral theology and care. As a fellow under-shepherd, the Lord has formed my heart to come alongside my brothers and sisters in ministry out of encountering our gracious and risen Lord in my own brokenness. It is my heart to be used by the Holy Spirit in this role to help catalyze a movement of mutual care, vulnerability, grace-filled accountability and personal transformation through the gospel among our pastors. I would love to see the Lord stir up a culture in our movement where we proactively push through the lies of shame and seek to grow and change and heal in community together.” 

Join us as we thank God for providing Scott to come alongside EFCA pastors and leaders. Please pray for him and his family as they make the necessary preparations for this significant life change, and that God would use this new role to further the EFCA’s mission to glorify God by multiplying transformational churches among all people.