Our Pastor
Rev. Dr. Scott Pickering is excited to join the worshipers, volunteers, and staff at Sugarloaf UMC. Scott is a recognized leader, teacher, and pastor throughout and beyond the North Georgia Conference. Since 1998, he has served as pastor at six churches before arriving at Sugarloaf UMC: Mt. Pleasant UMC (Calhoun), Clarkdale UMC, Hopewell UMC (Tyrone), County Line UMC (Acworth), Cornerstone UMC (Newnan), and St. John UMC (Atlanta).
Scott graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science degree with a minor in Psychology from Georgia Southern University. He earned a Master of Theological Studies from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Scott was presented with a Doctor of Ministry degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in 2015, specializing in Church Leadership Excellence. In 1998, Scott was presented with the Gold Congressional Medal during a ceremony in the Rotunda of the US Capitol.
Scott credited the beginning of his leadership training at 8 when he was finally old enough to join Cub Scouts. As an Eagle Scout, he remains active in Scouting locally and nationally. Scott has served as a Shows Director at eleven National Order of the Arrow Conferences and four National Boy Scout Jamborees. He has served as a chaplain at National and World Scout Jamborees. Scott serves on the Boy Scouts of America’s National Religious Relationships Committee.
Scott has served on several district Committees on Ordained Ministry (dCOM). During his 10-year tenure on the North Georgia Conference’s Board of Ordained Ministry, Scott was the Interviews chairperson and crafted a new segment for provisional and ordination interviews focused upon Leadership Development. Presently, Scott serves on the North Georgia Conference’s Committee on Finance and Administration.
Since 2016, Scott has served as one of twenty Board of Directors for the General Commission on United Methodist Men. As chairperson of Scouting Ministries within The United Methodist Church, Scott presents and teaches Scouting as a viable and valuable tool for congregations nationwide. As the General Commission on United Methodist Men expands its ministry worldwide, Scott is excited about all the opportunities to expand the skills and values gained through Scouting.
Scott has recently completed training as a spiritual coach. He is an Early Response Team Trainer for UMCOR and an Instructor for Mental Health First Aid USA. His leadership and support for local and global missions have contributed to Cornerstone UMC's recognition for six consecutive years as a North Georgia Conference’s Church of Excellence in Outreach and Missions.
Scott enjoys traveling, reading, and the great outdoors. His greatest joy is spending time with his almost four-year-old niece, Kyleigh.
Scott is excited to join the Sugarloaf UMC families and community. He hopes you are prepared for lots of fun and a quick wit!! By the way, did you know they make remote-controlled snakes?