Scott Ashley is the managing editor of The Good News magazine and United Church of God booklets. He and his wife, Connie, attend the Denver, Colorado, congregation where Mrs. Ashley serves as the local treasurer.

After graduating first in his high school class, Mr. Ashley went to Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas, graduating in 1976 with a theology major and minors in journalism and speech. It was there that he first became interested in publishing, an industry in which he has worked for more than 30 years.

During his career, he has worked for several publishing companies, including the publishing and editorial departments of the Worldwide Church of God and also Rodale Press. He has been employed by the United Church of God since 1995, overseeing the planning, writing, editing, reviewing and production of The Good News, 34 booklets and the 12-lesson Bible Study Course.

 “My primary personal goal in overseeing these publications has been to produce the most clear, defensible, well-thought-out library of material explaining the teachings of the Church of God in our history… It has been a great experience to work with so many dedicated elders and members in producing our publications over the last 14 years in a true spirit of cooperation and consensus. Our publishing efforts demonstrate that these foundational principles of UCG truly work and work well when we pull together to focus on getting the job done.”

Growing up in Alabama on property owned by his grandfather, Mr. Ashley enjoyed a childhood in the country where his family grew most of their own food. “My two brothers and I worked hard growing up, but in many ways it was an idyllic childhood.”

He began attending Church as a teenager, but his family’s contact with the truth began with his great-grandmother, who listened to Mr. Armstrong back in the 1930s. His grandfather continued listening in the 1960s, and Mr. Ashley began attending church services with his parents in 1970. “My mother and father, who was a deacon and later a non-salaried elder, showed me a great deal of what it means to serve God’s people. I was privileged to learn so much from them.”

He said his biggest influence has been “God’s Church because it has shaped every aspect of my life. Second would be my parents because of their standards, beliefs and giving and serving attitude. And, of course, my wife of 33 years, Connie, who is a very intelligent, wise and caring person.”

Mr. Ashley was ordained an elder in 1993 in Denver, after serving as deacon for several years.

As a member of the Council, he appreciates the challenges he will face in the new position, but he also looks forward to the work the Council can accomplish. He said he looks forward to “working together with a group of dedicated, committed men to address issues and to forge a warm and spiritually growing body to which our Father can call more children for His family.”

“We’re all in this together. We are a body and every member is important. Each of us is God’s treasured possession, and we need to see that in one another and treat each other that way.”