Remembering a Good and Faithful Servant - Dr. James Arthur Scott

Rev. Dr. James Arthur Scott 

Remembering a Good and Faithful Servant  - Dr. James Arthur Scott 

With our deepest condolences, we inform our ABCNJ community of the passing of Rev. Dr. James A. Scott, beloved Pastor Emeritus of Bethany Baptist Church in Newark, NJ. Rev. Dr. Scott went home to be with the Lord on the morning of Saturday, May 15, 2021. Our prayers go out to his family and the Bethany Baptist Church family.

Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Timothy Adkins-Jones shares that "Dr. Scott was an incredible human being, a steadfast man of God, and an immeasurably important pillar in the life of our church. His deft administration and passion for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ continue to inspire our church family and many pastors across the world. I am so personally grateful for his confidence, words of wisdom, and always ready ear."

Rev. Dr. James Scott will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Muriel Gregory Scott; his children, Lindal Scott Foster and Kimberly Scott; step-children, Lisa Gregory and Clayton Gregory; one granddaughter, four step-grandsons, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Please let us hold the Scott family in our prayers. 

On November 19, 1962, the congregation of Bethany Baptist Church in Newark voted to call the Reverend James Arthur Scott as their pastor. Reverend Scott was, at thirty-two years of age, one of the youngest pastors in the history of Bethany. He served as Senior Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church for nearly 40 years.

Rev. Dr. James Arthur Scott held a BA from Lincoln University, a M.Div. from Yale University, and a Ph.D. from Rutgers University in Urban Planning. 

Prior to coming to Bethany, Rev. Scott served as Director of Urban Church Programs and Field Representative for American Baptist Churches, based in New York, NY. His experience and training were invaluable as Bethany found themselves forced to relocate due to urban renewal.  

Under Rev. Dr. Scott's pastoral leadership at Bethany Baptist Church, new programs were started, such as art shows, youth activities, and a new choir of young adults. The congregation accepted many new ideas, installing Mrs. Thelma B. Robinson in 1965 as its first female trustee. On the initiative of the Woman's League, the church sponsored debutantes' balls in 1969 and 1970. A new parsonage was purchased in 1969. 

During Rev Scott’s pastorate he led the congregation to the purchase of a new church facility. By 1974, the congregation had raised a million dollars. On July 7, 1974, a groundbreaking service was held for a new church at 275 West Market Street. 

The final worship service at Old Bethany, located at 117 West Market Street, was held on Sunday, November 30, 1975. On that day, Rev Scott, deacons, trustees, ushers, choirs, Sunday School, and the congregation marched from the Old to the New Bethany, singing "We're Marching to Zion." Dedication services for the new building were held on May 2, 1976, followed by a weeklong celebration. Bethany continued to grow. Growth occurred so rapidly that soon the new facilities were inadequate in size. Membership peaked at about 2,000 members or about 700 families, and an excellent stewardship program ensured that the congregation paid the mortgage ahead of schedule.  

Rev. Scott served as President of the American Baptist Churches USA from 1992-1993. He also served as President of the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention He was active internationally through the Baptist World Alliance and was Chairperson of the Baptist World Alliance's Congress in Australia in the year 2000. 

The public viewing of Rev. Dr. James A. Scott's funeral will take place on Friday, June 4th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Bethany Baptist Church, 275 West Market Street, Newark, NJ. It will not be recorded.

The funeral on Saturday, June 5th will be private but can be viewed on the church’s YouTube channel and Facebook page at 10:00 a.m. https://bethany-newark.org/livestream/

If you wish to send a card to Scott’s family, please visit the J. Foster Philips Funeral Home, Inc. website.

Obituary can be viewed here.