About Scott

Scott Aniol is an author, speaker, and teacher of worship, church music philosophy, culture, and aesthetics. He is an Instructor of Worship at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, he founded Religious Affections Ministries, he lectures around the country in churches, conferences, colleges, and seminaries, and he has authored two books and dozens of articles.

Scott holds a masters degree in Musicology (NIU) and a PhD in worship and church music ministry (SWBTS).

Biography

Scott was born in reared in Michigan where he grew up in a Christian family, attended church regularly, and received his early education in Christian schools. Scott began piano lessons in second grade, trombone lessons in fifth grade, and voice lessons in Junior High, giving him an early love for music, especially in the local church.

At age 13 Scott repented of his sins and surrendered his life to Christ in faith. During his high school years he gained a deeper love for local church ministry and especially the study of theology and philosophy.

Scott pursued a bachelor’s degree in church music at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. There he met his wife, Becky, and they were married in June of 2004.

Scott began local church ministry as an Associate Pastor at First Baptist Church in Rockford, IL in May of 2003. While serving there, he pursued graduate education in church music, hymnology, and choral conducting at Corcordia University (River Forest, IL), received a master’s degree in musicology at Northern Illinois University (Dekalb, IL), and studied theology at Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary (Allen Park, MI) and Central Baptist Seminary (Plymouth, MN). Scott was ordained to the gospel ministry by First Baptist Church in April of 2004.

While serving at First Baptist and pursuing additional graduate education, Scott began to write and speak regularly on topics of worship, music, culture, and aesthetics. He published a successful blog and was invited to speak at pastors’ conferences, seminaries, and churches in the US and around the world.

In August of 2008, Scott resigned from First Baptist Church to launch Religious Affections Ministries, a ministry of writing, speaking, and publishing in the areas of worship and church music. Scott has written two books and administered the publication of a dozen more through the ministry. He has spoken across the US and in several foreign countries at conferences, seminaries, and church, and is published in several theological journals.

Scott, his wife Becky, and their two children (Caleb and Kate) reside in Fort Worth, TX.