Dr. Eddie Sharp, pulpit minister at University Avenue Church of Christ in Austin, has withdrawn his candidacy for dean of the College of Biblical Studies.

Dr. John Weaver, chair of the CBS dean search committee, thanked Sharp for his consideration and service in an email on Monday.

“After a process of discernment, Dr. Eddie Sharp has withdrawn from the CBS dean search,” said Weaver, dean of library services and educational technology. “He and his wife have concluded that their future remains in congregational ministry with the University Avenue Church of Christ in Austin.”

Sharp began preaching in 1971 as a junior at ACU and was the preaching minister at University Church of Christ in Abilene for 28 years. He and his wife Annette moved to Austin in 2008. Sharp is also a member of the ACU Board of Trustees.

Sharp said he and Annette enjoy working with each other at University Avenue and considered the decision together.

“We want to be able to make decisions that are formed by faith, covered in prayer, informed by godly wisdom and conducive to further spiritual transformation,” Sharp said. “We knew that the work as dean of CBS would not allow the same kinds of ministry or the same working together.”

There are two remaining candidates for CBS dean: Dr. Ken Cukrowski, interim CBS dean, and Dr. Mark Hamilton, associate dean of the graduate school of theology. Sharp said both were Christian scholars and leaders of the highest quality.

“I have known and loved Ken and Mark for many years,” Sharp said. “I believe they will lead CBS into greater and greater service in the Kingdom of God as they lead the college to shape the lives of majors and non-majors into the image of Jesus.”

The CBS search committee met Tuesday morning and are planning to meet again next week. A final announcement is expected to be made in March, but the decision will not be rushed.