Briarwood Presbyterian Church appoints Scott Redd as lead pastor following congregational vote and installation

Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham has entered a new chapter of leadership as Scott Redd Jr. officially began his role as lead pastor on Aug. 10. Selected after an extensive nationwide search, Redd steps into the pulpit of one of the largest congregations in the Presbyterian Church in America, bringing a unique blend of scholarly expertise and pastoral experience to the Birmingham community.

Redd entered the role following a congregational vote on June 15, which was affirmed by the Evangel Presbytery and followed by a formal installation on Aug. 10, according to a Facebook post. His first sermon as senior pastor took place that same day, marking the beginning of his ministry at Briarwood.

“Our committee believes that he is the man God has called to Briarwood. God has blessed Scott with special gifts and abilities in preaching, teaching, leading and serving. He has a deep love for the church and a commitment to proclaiming the whole counsel of God,” Pulpit Search Committee Chairman Billy Hall said in a recent report to the congregation.

Before joining Briarwood, Redd built an extensive career in theological education and leadership. After teaching and serving as dean of students at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, he became president and associate professor of Old Testament at RTS Washington, D.C., in 2012. During his tenure, Redd also directed RTS New York and continued teaching at several institutions, including Catholic University of America and Augustine Theological Institute in Malta, broadening his influence in both pastoral training and biblical scholarship.

Redd was raised in a military family and moved often during his childhood before earning his bachelor’s degree in English from the College of William & Mary, where he met his wife, Jennifer. After working in media consulting in Washington, D.C., Redd followed a call to ministry and earned his Master of Divinity from RTS in Orlando. He went on to complete both a master’s and Ph.D. in Semitic and Egyptian languages and literatures at the Catholic University of America.

Briarwood Presbyterian Church began with modest worship services in a Catholic church basement in 1956, growing into a congregation of over 6,000 members. The church has been a significant presence in the Birmingham area, known for its commitment to Reformed theology and community service. Redd’s appointment reflects the congregation’s desire for continued spiritual growth and leadership rooted in theological scholarship and pastoral care.

The transition to Redd’s leadership marks a continuation of Briarwood’s tradition of seeking qualified, biblically grounded pastoral leadership. As the church moves forward, it remains focused on its mission of proclaiming the whole counsel of God and serving the community with mercy and justice, as Micah 6:8 calls for.

Source: Read the original report