Morningview Baptist Church

Please note this is a archived page.

Our pastor seach committee is excited to announce that on Sunday, April 23, 2006, the Morningview Family extended a call to Dr. Shawn Merithew to be our Senior Pastor.

His first Sunday was May 21, 2006.

Look for Him at 10:30 a.m. at the Calhoun Campus.

Shawn Stanton Merithew was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. He grew up in humble circumstances. At a young age, he loved aerospace science and desired a career in the Air Force. Shawn met Lisa when they were 16 years old. Through the faithful witness of her family, he repented and trusted in Christ when he was 18 years old. At the University of Central Florida, he pursued an Aerospace Engineering Degree and a Career in the Air Force through the ROTC program. However, God had other plans for his life. In the summer of 1993, as Shawn was about to start the last year of the 5 year engineering program, God called Him into the Gospel ministry. Shawn secured a release from his military contract, changed his major to a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies so that he could graduate in December, and then he went to Europe on a 7 month mission stint where he served on staff at a Dutch Baptist church.

In August of 1994, Shawn followed God’s calling to undertake theological training at Southern Seminary in Louisville. He played an active role in the student body in reclaiming the school from theological liberalism. Shawn and Lisa also rekindled their relationship as they were in Kentucky together, and they were married in July of 1996. While in Seminary, Shawn served on staff at 3 Baptist Churches. In May of 1997, he graduated with his Master of Divinity Degree from the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism, and Church Growth, and immediately began studies in the Ph.D. program. In January of 2000, he was called as Senior Pastor of the Carlisle Avenue Baptist Church, where he had previously been serving as Youth Minister. Shawn finished his dissertation on the theology of John Piper in the Fall of 2002, and subsequently graduated with a Ph.D. in Evangelism in 2003. Meanwhile, Shawn led Carlisle Avenue through significant changes as they raised membership standards, transitioned to God-centered worship and expository preaching, and revitalized missions involvement and giving. Since 2003, Shawn has also served as an Adjunct Professor of Christian Preaching at the Graduate and Undergraduate levels at Southern Seminary.

Ministerial Education

• Doctor of Philosophy
  The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY; May 2003
  Major Concentrations: Evangelism; Expository Preaching; & New Testament Theology
• Master of Divinity in Missions, Evangelism, and Church Growth; May 1997
  Major Concentrations: Pastoral Leadership; Theology; Evangelism; & Church Growth

Ministerial Experience

• Senior Pastor
  Carlisle Avenue Baptist Church, Louisville, KY; 2000 – Present
• Student Pastor
  Carlisle Avenue Baptist Church, Louisville, KY; Jul 1997 – 2000
• New Member Director
  Highview Baptist, Louisville, KY; Aug. 1996 – Jul 1997
• Preaching Assistant to Single Adult Mininistry
  Highview Baptist, Louisville, KY; Fall & Spring 94-95/ 95-96
• Pastoral Intern
  First Baptist Sweetwater, Longwood, FL; May- Aug 95 & 96

Meet the Family

Laura Lisa Merithew was born in Silver Spring, Maryland to a faithful Christian family. When she was 6 years old, her family relocated to Orlando, Florida. They became active members of First Baptist Sweetwater. She was saved and baptized at age 7. She and Shawn met the summer before their senior year of high school. After graduation, Lisa went on to receive an Associate’s Degree from Seminole Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Math Education from the University of Central Florida. Lisa and Shawn dated during their early college years, but felt God leading them apart just before Lisa’s graduation from UCF in 1993. After graduation, Lisa sensed God’s calling to serve with Campus Crusade for Christ. She and Shawn retained a close friendship, and as he left for Europe, she began Staff Training in Daytona Beach with Campus Crusade.

In May of 1994, she was pleasantly surprised with a placement at the Western Kentucky University Campus in Bowling Green, Kentucky. There she served on staff for two years, sharing the gospel and discipling young college women. Shawn arrived in Louisville in August of 1994, and at that time, they prayerfully rekindled their relationship. They were engaged on Valentine’s Day, 1996, and married on July 20th of that same year. Lisa felt led to leave staff with Campus Crusade and to join Shawn in taking classes at Southern Seminary part-time to prepare to be a pastor‘s wife. In May of 2000, Lisa earned the Advanced Certificate of Ministry Degree at Southern from the newly founded Seminary Wives Institute. She also completed a Master of Arts in Missiology at Southern Seminary and graduated in May of 2003 with Shawn. Now, she is the mother of three beautiful children and her passion is being a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker. She also has a strong interest in developing women’s discipleship ministries in the church.

Grace Elizabeth Merithew was born on May 12 of 2000. Grace loves home-schooling with her mommy. She also loves her catechism, being read to from the Bible and Children’s stories, and lately, has begun reading on her own. Right now, she and her daddy are reading through The Chronicles of Narnia. Her first and favorite memory verses are Eph 6:1 and John 3:16.

John David Merithew was a late Christmas present born on December 28 of 2002. John likes hot wheels cars, playing outside, and playing any and every kind of “ball” game that he can with his daddy. He loves to have mommy and daddy pray over him. He also loves to eat fruit and desserts.

Josiah Gregory Merithew was born on February 17 of 2005. He is now “cruising” around the living room as he holds on to furniture. When there is nothing to hold on to, he can still crawl at light speed toward anything (and everything) that he can get into. Like his brother, he also loves any ball he can get his hands on.

A Note from Our Pastor Search Committee Chairman

Dear Church Family,

As I review my historical notes on this process, I am drawn to the first verse God led me to share with the other members. The verse is found in Romans 12:1. It states, “… by the mercies of God, … present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” We were fully aware of our awesome responsibility to find a shepherd to direct His flock. Thus, in order to worship God in the manner He desired, each person on the committee had to purify his heart and align his motives with God’s motives. We were fully cognizant that God’s providential result would not be thwarted. All that we had to do was hold tightly to His robe as He directed our decisions. As a result, it was not surprising to observe consistent unanimity at each important decision we made. (Proverbs 3:4-5)

After our wonderful pastor, Greg Belser, resigned, I was eager to discover the gift that God had in store for His faithful flock. After we reviewed over 500 resumes, we reduced the number to the teens so that we could more fully examine these men. Were they humble, tested, bold, and able to offer the whole counsel of God? Were they encouragering, caring, and did they speak the truth with passion (light and heat)? Did they possess the fruits of the Spirit? Was the favor of God upon them? One by one, God revealed His will to us. At each step, our faith in God increased.

By God’s design, our interest in Shawn Merithew increased and his interest in us did too. In a deliberate manner, we examined Shawn fully. Once our scrutiny of Shawn was concluded, I, along with every other committee member, was absolutely convinced that Shawn was called to be Morningview’s next pastor. Shawn is wise, humble, personal, practical, and gracious. He desires to love us and shepherd us.

We are overwhelmed and grateful that our prayers have been answered by our great God. As a committee, we enthusiastically recommend Shawn to you. To God be all honor, glory and praise.

In His Love,
Cole

Committee Members Comments

Marion Bertolotti

I think he is a cut above. He has the strength of character and commitment that is needed in a pastor, but I also appreciate his humility. In Shawn I see a man diligently seeking to submit to the will of God in all things. He is the type of pastor we need. God has led us to Shawn.

Billy Cox

I am fully convinced! Shawn and Lisa have made this decision by faith and they have trusted us. He knows God’s call and is excited about the vision for Morningview. Yet, he has demonstrated his love for God’s work at Carlisle and with a shepherd’s heart has prepared them for this transition. God has sent to us one of His best. I can follow this man. God’s favor has been on this family. Praise the Lord! He will equip us to fulfill the Great Commission. He is strong in evangelism, missions and discipleship.

Tony Edwards

Shawn will shepherd Morningview with spiritual strength, in humility. He will preach deeply the whole counsel of God, and love the people. As a committee, we are unanimous in our decision to call Shawn. Through this whole process, at every major juncture, as a committee we have each independently arrived at the same decisions, including our unqualified support of Shawn.

Ben Lott

I am most impressed that Shawn’s greatest desire is to preach the Word. He also cares about missions and wants to share the Gospel. He has demonstrated an understanding of the role of shepherd and the importance of pastoral care. Shawn’s family is very important to him and Lisa is a wonderful person. She will compliment his ministry. I am excited about this opportunity to have them at Morningview.

Danny Martin

In discussing God’s calling of Shawn to MBC, there is unanimous agreement on the Committee and with Shawn and Lisa. This is very comforting for me. This is not an accident. This is God at work. Shawn’s counsel shows love, care and concern. I respect him. He has a shepherd’s heart and he has integrity. He has a burden for all people. I am excited! I believe you will love the man that God is bringing to Morningview as a shepherd. I am excited about what lies ahead for Morningview!!

Tom Noland

God’s hand has been on this process from the start. His priority and primary calling is to pray and preach the Word. I am overwhelmed at the favor God has shown our church to find a godly pastor like Shawn. Shawn is comfortable with God’s call on our lives together. He has a plan of action. He is willing to listen to godly counsel. And, he will lead our church to places we have never imagined.

Rick Quave

He has all the tools and desire to develop into an excellent preacher. He is resilient and will not compromise the truth and does it with graciousness. He is willing to deal with difficult texts. He possesses a solid understanding of what a church should be and how it should minister to the world. I can’t find any reason not to call him.

Our pastor search committee members are Cole Portis (chairman), Billy Cox, Rick Quave, Thomas Noland, Danny Martin, Marion Bertolotti, Tony Edwards, and Ben Lott.

Comments from References

Al Mohler

President, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Shawn is outstanding theologically, straight on target. He has a Masters of Divinity and PhD…He is an expositor of the Word.”

“Generally over the years, you begin to notice problems-not with Shawn. He is clean in all areas of life, no arrogance, calm, confident. He has a well intended respect for older men and other leaders. This is a rare quality.”

“He has a masculine presence, which is important, and a wonderful wife and children. My wife, Mary, said that Lisa is a model for a wife and mother.”

“He has done a great job at Carlisle Avenue, in the inner City of Louisville-The place is just full of young adults. I believe a church takes on a pastor’s personality…and the people at Carlisle are warm and serious.”

“He put everything on the line in coming to seminary. We were in a war over liberalism at the time. I needed personal security, so I enlisted Shawn. He has confronted liberal churches head on in the local association.”

Dr. Douglas Walker

Professor, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and beloved friend

“He has unlimited potential when you consider: He is a student of the Word…His giftedness as a preacher; His commitment to expository preaching, coupled with a heart for evangelism…”

“His strengths besides preaching are his ability to lead and cast a vision and I say this understanding that a vision can only come from the Lord. He is a rising star in the SBC.”

“Five years from now, I expect Morningview to be distinguished as the healthiest congregation in the SBC. Carlisle has come light-years during his tenure. You will have a Word driven and Word centered preaching; Your people will hunger for God’s Word; You will be disciples evidencing real genuine growth, reaching the lost in your community, and ministering to their needs as a means to share the Gospel.”

Dr. Randal Pollock

Personal friend and fellow community minister

“For a long time, I have had a sense that God’s hand was on Shawn. I was expecting God to call him to something much larger than Morningview. I was astonished that he was considering Morningview. FBC of Roanoke, Va. has an opening for Sr. Pastor and I encouraged him to pursue it.”

“Shawn has a brilliant mind and is an ardent student of Scripture. He has deepness to his preaching and a flaming heart. My wife and I believe God will use them to bring about revival.”

“Shawn is an excellent administrator. He is highly organized. He played a major role in organizing and planning community wide collaborative outreach programs.”