It begins, “WHEREAS, the Rev. Dr. Scott Black Johnston is celebrating 15 years of faithful service as Senior Pastor of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church….” It goes on to delineate the most important achievements in Scott’s 15 years of leadership, everything from his “world-class preaching” to his leadership during the pandemic.

The proclamation, offered on behalf of the congregation, recognizes Scott’s achievements in promoting education and the arts, serving the homeless and other populations in need, taking on challenging social concerns such as racism and immigration, advancing diversity and inclusion among our staff and congregation, maintaining our historic buildings and much more.

Read the full text of the proclamation here.

We gratefully acknowledge Scott’s colleagues and friends for their contributions to this video, which was featured during our congregational celebration in Bonnell Hall:

• The Rev. Tom Are, Village Presbyterian Church, Kansas City
• Rabbi Joshua Davidson, Temple Emanu-El, New York
• The Rev. Amos Disasa, First Presbyterian Church, Dallas
• Joyce Hansen, co-chair, Pastor Nominating Committee for Scott Black Johnston
• The Rev. Dr. Michael Jinkins, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (retired)
• The Rev. Dr. Tom Long, Candler School of Theology (professor emeritus)
• The Rev. Dr. Oscar McCloud, Associate Pastor Emeritus, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church
• The Rev. Dr. Agnes Norfleet, Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church
• The Rev. Patrick O’Connor, First Presbyterian Church, Jamaica, Queens
• The Rev. Dr. Charlene Han Powell, First Presbyterian Church, Berkeley
• The Rev. Dr. Nora Tubbs Tisdale, Yale Divinity School
• The Rev. Randy Weber, Associate Pastor Emeritus, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church