Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Shoemaker resigning as Myers Park Baptist pastor

The Rev. Steve Shoemaker has resigned his post as pastor of Myers Park Baptist Church, the church announced Wednesday.

Shoemaker returned to the pulpit last Sunday after a month of being treated for stress and "self-medicating" of alcohol and prescription drugs.

He'll end his early 14 year tenure at the high-profile church with a last sermon this coming Sunday.

In a Feb. 18 letter to the congregation, Shoemaker said that "my new path of wholeness and health demand my full attention, and a period of indecision about my tenure with you would not serve the church well. I am confident that this decision serves me and best serves you, my beloved community."

In a separate letter to the congregation, dated Feb. 19, Board of Deacons chair Richard Pearsall said that he was announcing Shoemaker's resignation "with deep sorrow."

-- Tim Funk

3 comments:

Unknown said...

How very "pope" of him.

Anonymous said...

If that was the right decision for him, then we should all offer our blessings and thanks - to him and the congregation. The above comment is beyond crass...

Godspeed. Rev. Shoemaker - find your path forward...

Anonymous said...

I feel sorry for the Reverend. I wish him luck with his rehab and self-revitalization.