Justin Taylor reports:
Tonight the elders at Bethlehem Baptist Church unanimously voted to present Jason Meyer as their candidate to succeed John Piper, pending congregational approval. The announcement from executive pastor Sam Crabtree can be read here.
[The above links may not work if traffic is high.] Technically, Jason is a candidate for Associate Pastor for Preaching and Vision. If approved by the congregation on May 20, then at some point in the future (possibly a year or two down the road), there will be a second congregational vote to establish him as Pastor for Preaching and Vision (i.e., remove the “associate”). David Mathis writes a helpful post on Piper’s transition. And John Piper has posted a response to the following questions.
How do you feel about Jason’s candidacy?
What was your role in choosing and testing Jason Meyer?
Why are you stepping down from your pastoral role?
What will you do?
What will your relationship to Bethlehem be?
How do you feel?
Note that John Piper’s current role (as Pastor for Preaching and Vision) is to remain during the season in which Meyer, if approved, would hold the Associate Pastor for Preaching and Vision position.
Update: On May 20, Jason Meyer was affirmed by the congregation by a vote of 784-8.