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Renowned Pastor Begins Search For Successor

Alistair Begg, a well-known author and pastor, has announced his plan to retire from his role as senior pastor of Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio, in September 2025. After nearly five decades in ministry, including over 40 years at Parkside, Begg shared his decision with the congregation in September 2024. The announcement gives the church time to prepare for a smooth transition, as the elders will nominate a candidate for the next senior pastor in the coming year, with a vote to follow. Although retiring from the senior pastor role, Begg will continue his work with Truth For Life, his teaching ministry.

In his address to the congregation, Begg emphasized that his decision was not due to frustration or burnout but rather a desire to hand over leadership while he still felt energized. He spoke about his hope to “pass the baton” effectively to a successor, ensuring a healthy transition for the church. While stepping back from his pastoral duties at Parkside, Begg plans to remain active in ministry and contribute more time to Truth For Life and other engagements.

Begg also reflected on the challenges pastors face in knowing when to step down, noting that some leave too late or too soon. He expressed his intent to retire while still passionate about his work, rather than waiting until the job became burdensome. He asked the congregation to pray for unity and wisdom during the search for his replacement, expressing confidence that God’s plan for Parkside Church extends beyond his leadership.

Earlier this year, Begg sparked controversy over remarks he made in a 2023 podcast, where he advised a grandmother to attend her grandson’s marriage to a transgender person to preserve the family relationship. Despite criticism, Begg stood by his advice and refused to apologize, explaining that his counsel was tailored to that specific situation and could differ in another context.

In addition to his retirement announcement, Begg recently spoke at the Sing! Conference in Nashville, where he called for a renewed focus on Scripture in worship. He expressed concern over the trend of replacing Bible-based preaching with inspirational talks and emphasized the importance of serious engagement with the Bible for personal and congregational growth. He encouraged a return to reverence in worship, highlighting the need for deeper encounters with God through His Word.