As reported by The Christian Post, a candidate has been nominated to succeed John Piper at Bethlehem Baptist Church: Jason Meyer, assistant professor of New Testament at Bethlehem College and Seminary. Piper says he is “overjoyed” at the selection process being conducted by the eldership team.
According to the report, the congregation will vote on May 20 to install Meyer as an associate pastor, after which he will work under Piper’s mentorship starting August 1. No decision has been made as to exactly when Meyer would take over Piper’s position. Piper has talked frequently and openly about ministry succession. During his initial conversation with Meyer, Piper said he was astonished at Meyer’s readiness for the process and his sense of calling.
When asked why he is leaving his position, Piper answered in a statement, “The reason we are moving forward with the succession plan now has to do with a strong conviction that good pastoring is more than preaching. I could still preach. Some have encouraged me to do just that. Just preach. Hand off other leadership responsibilities to others. I do not believe such an arrangement would make Bethlehem a healthy, thriving, mission-driven, aggressively visionary, growing church—which is what she should be!”
“Most important, I am less competent at leading Bethlehem structurally and organizationally than I used to be,” he added. “If I were younger and more focused I might be able to do what I used to do. But I am not younger or more focused. This is a glorious moment in the history of Bethlehem, and it is not a time for less focus and energy for planning, but for more.”
Read a statement from Desiring God Ministries about this transition.
