The Search

Dear FPC Midland Family,   

The Apostle Paul writes to the Philippians, “I am confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)  

The Lord has done wonderful work in and through First Presbyterian Church of Midland, and we are deeply grateful for the faithful leadership and shepherding of Senior Pastor Steve Schorr over the past two decades. We are also thankful for Kathy and their family, who have loved and served this congregation so faithfully throughout these years of ministry together. 

As Steve has previously shared, he is preparing for retirement. One of the many gifts Steve has given to this church is the generosity of announcing his plans well in advance so that the Session can engage in a prayerful and intentional transition process. We have enlisted the guidance of our denomination, ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians, and its Synod Executive, Dana Allin.   

On May 16, the elders and pastors met together with Dana to begin mapping out a thoughtful and healthy path forward. While we cannot predict the Lord’s exact timing, we do believe we can steward this transition faithfully, prayerfully, and intentionally. Along the way we want to keep you updated monthly on progress and ways you can pray for and engage with this succession process.   

Below is an overview of the four phases we anticipate in this process. (Again the following dates are estimates—the actual timing we trust will be in accordance with God’s plan for us).     

While summer is often a quieter season in the life of the church, we recognize this season will require additional attention and engagement for the long-term health of FPC Midland.  For example, on June 8, 2026, the Session met and appointed the following four elders to serve on the “Transition Team” which will be responsible overseeing the overall transition process and coordinating communication with the congregation.  

Transition Team Elders:

During this phase we will also:

During this phase, the Pastor Nominating Committee, will actively engage in the search process to identify and present a candidate for our next Senior Pastor.  

At the same time, the elders and staff will continue strengthening and clarifying our governance structures and ministry systems so that we are well-positioned to support the next season of leadership and ministry.

While we remain open to the Lord’s timing, our hope is to have a two-to-three-month overlap between Steve and his successor during which Steve will continue to fulfill the duties of our Senior Pastor and his successor will be afforded an important opportunity to become  acquainted with the congregation, staff, leadership, and ministries of the church while participating in preaching and ministry before fully assuming the responsibilities of our Senior Pastor.  

It will also be a meaningful season for us as a congregation to celebrate Steve and Kathy and to give thanks for their many years of faithful ministry with us.

Following a healthy transition and overlap period, we look forward with anticipation and hope to all the Lord will continue to do in and through First Presbyterian Church of Midland in this next chapter of ministry.  Throughout this process, we ask for your continued prayers for Steve and Kathy, for the Session and staff, for the future Pastor Nominating Committee, and for our next Senior Pastor whom God is already preparing for this congregation.