5.23.2026
I wanted to announce to you some exciting news! Our Trustees and Personnel Committee have moved forward in recommending someone to help fill the vacancy created by Pastor Merlin’s recent retirement. In his years here Merlin served as so much more than just a 55+ Senior Adult Pastor. His impact has been far beyond just those ministries in the realm of what he has provided to this Church. We need that kind of impact to continue into the future. With that acknowledgment, the Trustees and Personnel Committee are recommending a position titled the Associate Pastor of Pastoral Care. This position will work with the Lead Pastor, Associate Pastors, and staff to provide leadership and oversight for the spiritual care of the congregation. This role ensures that members are known, supported, and shepherded through life’s seasons, with particular attention to pastoral care, member engagement, and care systems.
While this position is not the same exact position Merlin has filled for the last 27 years, it will encompass several elements which relates particularly to the 55+ ministry and working with its team to fulfill the areas of ministry that allow our legacy members to thrive. On Wednesday in our Members Meeting, we will lay out the details of this position and give you an opportunity to ask questions.
We are also excited to announce to you that we have a candidate for this new position. Over the last four years we have had someone who has continuously demonstrated not only his qualifications for Pastoral Ministry, but also his organizational abilities. He has been a tremendous help in stabilizing our information systems and correspondence through employee transitions and changes. He has also brought stability to our worship services every week by planning services that complement the overall theme of the passage of scripture and help us affirm the place and purpose of God’s Word in our lives. He loves people and goes about his work with a desire for excellence that is truly an asset to this congregation. Over the last year he has demonstrated his ability to encourage the congregation through the preached word even as he has shown his shepherding care for our people since he has been here. I am excited to announce Michael Peeler, our current Worship Director, as the candidate that our Trustees and Personnel Committee have recommended to fill the Associate Pastor of Pastoral Care position.
One thing I want to make sure you are aware of is that Michael will step into this role while continuing to fulfill the role that he has had in our worship ministry. Recognizing the qualifications and calling of an individual as a Pastor is the responsibility of the entirety of the Church, we are informing you of the following schedule:
We are excited about the future of ministry here at Parkview and look forward to talking more about this exciting transition. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.
Yours In Christ,
Dr. Chris DeGeorge
Lead Pastor, Parkview Baptist Church
While this position is not the same exact position Merlin has filled for the last 27 years, it will encompass several elements which relates particularly to the 55+ ministry and working with its team to fulfill the areas of ministry that allow our legacy members to thrive. On Wednesday in our Members Meeting, we will lay out the details of this position and give you an opportunity to ask questions.
We are also excited to announce to you that we have a candidate for this new position. Over the last four years we have had someone who has continuously demonstrated not only his qualifications for Pastoral Ministry, but also his organizational abilities. He has been a tremendous help in stabilizing our information systems and correspondence through employee transitions and changes. He has also brought stability to our worship services every week by planning services that complement the overall theme of the passage of scripture and help us affirm the place and purpose of God’s Word in our lives. He loves people and goes about his work with a desire for excellence that is truly an asset to this congregation. Over the last year he has demonstrated his ability to encourage the congregation through the preached word even as he has shown his shepherding care for our people since he has been here. I am excited to announce Michael Peeler, our current Worship Director, as the candidate that our Trustees and Personnel Committee have recommended to fill the Associate Pastor of Pastoral Care position.
One thing I want to make sure you are aware of is that Michael will step into this role while continuing to fulfill the role that he has had in our worship ministry. Recognizing the qualifications and calling of an individual as a Pastor is the responsibility of the entirety of the Church, we are informing you of the following schedule:
Wednesday, May 27th: In our Members’ Meeting we will lay out the position and allow the opportunity for questions. A vote will be taken that evening to approve the position. Michael Peeler will be available to answer questions.
Sunday, May 31st: After our ONE service, the congregation will vote to affirm Michael as the Associate Pastor of Pastoral Care and Worship.
We are excited about the future of ministry here at Parkview and look forward to talking more about this exciting transition. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.
Yours In Christ,
Dr. Chris DeGeorge
Lead Pastor, Parkview Baptist Church