Pastor Alistair Begg chose quiet reflection over celebration as he stepped down from the pulpit of Parkside Church after more than four decades of ministry on June 8, 2025.

According to the Christian Post, Rather than delivering a traditional farewell sermon, Begg continued his ongoing series on the life of Moses, using Scripture to underline themes of divine faithfulness and human inadequacy.

At 73, Begg stood before his congregation one final time as senior pastor, not to focus on his departure, but to preach from Exodus 3:11-22. The passage details Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush, a moment filled with questions and uncertainty, much like the pastoral transition facing the church now.

Bible passage continues the theme of calling.

Begg emphasized that Moses questioned his ability to lead, yet God did not affirm Moses' self-worth. Instead, the biblical narrative pointed to God's presence as the only sufficient answer. “The issue is not who Moses is,” Begg told the congregation, “but who is with Moses.”

Rather than reminiscing, Begg remained focused on Scripture, explaining that humanity cannot discover the divine by examining themselves, but only through God's revelation. “We come to know God by revelation. He makes himself known,” he said.

The message stayed firmly rooted in theological intention rather than emotional farewell. Begg made clear that his goal was that the service feel “ordinary,” grounded in “routine,” as he kept delivering what he called part of an “unfinished sermon.”

Pastor’s voice remains amid controversy and praise

Known for his expositional preaching style, Begg has led Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio, since 1983. Over the years, he also became widely recognized through Truth For Life, his teaching ministry that broadcasts sermons and devotionals around the world.

Begg announced his retirement in September 2024, saying he wanted to pass leadership “safely into the hands” of a successor. He made clear at the time that the decision was not by outside pressure or personal concerns, but based on thoughtful planning for the church's future.

In recent years, Begg found himself at the center of theological and cultural debate. In 2023, he faced criticism after counseling a grandmother to attend her grandson’s wedding to a gender-transitioning partner as an act of relational love—a stance he later explained and stood by, saying, “I'm not ready to repent over this.”

Preaching grounded in Scripture, not personality

During his sermon, the pastor drew attention away from himself and toward God’s unchanging nature. “God… is sufficient for every season of life,” he said, reminding listeners that divine strength is constant even amid human uncertainty.

Begg also referred to a familiar phrase engraved in granite at Parkside Church: “You have exalted above all things your name and your word.” He said Moses’ doubt was not dismissed, but God’s sufficiency was offered as the response.

The service ended not with applause or ceremony, but in reverent stillness. As the congregation sat in silence, hymn lyrics printed in the bulletin were quietly read aloud by Begg: “I do not know how many days of life are mine to spend... I'll trust His loving care.”

The legacy of Scripture-focused teaching continues.

In 2024, Begg spoke at the Getty Music Sing! Conference in Nashville, raising concerns about what he described as a decline in biblical literacy. He contrasted expositional preaching with styles that trend toward “inspirational talks” or “therapeutic endeavors.”

“You cannot continue to make your journey through life without your Bible,” he urged at the conference, calling the Scriptures a “daily source of knowledge and encounter with God.” That same conviction was reflected clearly in his final sermon.

As he closed, Begg turned congregants’ attention once more to the reliability of God. “Let’s tell the Lord that we trust Him with the stuff we know,” he said, “the bits that we don't know, our fears, our failures, everything.”

Final moments point to enduring message.

Begg’s last words did not summarize his career or highlight his achievements. Instead, they offered reassurance in God’s constancy. His message, as always, remained centered on Scripture and the hope found within it.

Though this chapter at Parkside comes to a close, Begg’s influence continues through his media work and through the ongoing legacy of preaching that upheld biblical authority above all else.

For the congregation and countless listeners around the world, the moment served not as an ending, but as a reminder that even in transitions, “God is sufficient.”