By Emily Holladay

This spring at a Council on Endorsement meeting, George Pickle, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship chaplaincy and pastoral counseling specialist, announced he will retire effective June 30, 2013, after 12 years of service to CBF endorsed chaplains and pastoral counselors.

The Texas native and avid Baylor football fan joined the CBF staff in 2001 as CBF chaplaincy and pastoral counseling endorser, after serving as the endorser for hospital, hospice and pastoral counseling at the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board. Prior to becoming an endorser, Pickle spent seven years as a chaplain at the Brotman Medical Center in Culver City, Calif.

“I have been thoroughly blessed by my relationship with endorsed chaplains and pastoral counselors,” said Pickle. “They are the presence of Christ in the world. I thank God for calling, gifting and guiding them to their ministries. It has been my privilege to serve in this ministry.”

Under his leadership, the Fellowship has more than doubled the number of endorsed chaplains and pastoral counselors, created a structure for the Council on Endorsement and secured a seat for the chair of the council on the CBF Coordinating Council.

“A part of the requirements for becoming board certified with professional chaplain organizations such as the Association of Professional Chaplains is to show evidence of endorsement from one’s own faith group,” said Chaplain Brenda Lee of Williamsburg, Va. “Those who have sought this support through CBF have received more than a signed letter acknowledging approval. Though letters from George Pickle represent good standing in CBF, his signature also represents relationship.

“No CBF chaplain is a stranger to George. Near and far, it didn’t matter where CBF chaplains were employed, George would search us out if he was visiting nearby. He expressed great interest in the personal lives of the more than 600 endorsed CBF chaplains. He displayed great pride in the professional accomplishments and the daily duties of our many chaplains. To George, names represent servants who’ve been called by God and he understood our commitment to our tasks. I am grateful to George for the mentor he was, the pastor he became, and the friend he will always be.”

Pickle is well known and well respected in the large chaplaincy and pastoral care community, and has brought recognition to CBF through his involvement in such organizations. Since 1999, Pickle has served with the Endorsers Conference for Veterans Affairs Chaplains as a presenter at their orientation. He has also served as a representative of endorsers on the Certification Committee of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors since 2005 and a member of the Association of Religious Endorsing Bodies since 2000.

In addition, Pickle has been an active member of the Council on Ministry in Specialized Settings (COMISS Network) since 1992. This network includes certification and accreditation organizations, 16 faith group endorsers, pastoral care organizations and the National VA Chaplaincy Center. In 2003, he was the third recipient of the COMISS Network Medal, preceded only by Erik Erikson and Henri Nouwen. Pickle received this award for the care he takes of the chaplains he endorses and his willingness to stand up for what he believes so that any person called to chaplaincy could be endorsed.

Pickle holds degrees from Baylor University (Bachelor of Arts in Religion), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity, the University of California – Los Angeles (Master of Science Education with a focus in counseling psychology) and Fuller Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry). He also boasts extensive clinical training in both grief and chemical dependency counseling.

In addition to his ministry as a chaplain and chaplain endorser, Pickle has served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Santa Monica, Calif., and campus minister for the Progress Baptist Convention and the University of Southern California. From 1968-1970, Pickle served as a missionary in Vietnam, which he says was one of the most formative experiences in shaping his call to ministry.

George and his wife Kathy, a professional dancer, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in December. The couple lives in Atlanta and has two grown daughters and one granddaughter. Pickle loves to read and has an extensive library ranging from general pastoral care to more specialized ministries. After retirement from CBF, Pickle will continue his private counseling practice where he specializes in grief counseling and continue to support chaplains as a friend and advocate.

“George Pickle has served our Fellowship well,” said Bo Prosser, CBF coordinator for missional congregations. “Under his leadership, we have gained credibility with the multiple agencies across the chaplaincy and pastoral counseling landscape. Through his influence, we have endorsed hundreds who relate to their professional field through the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship designation. We will miss his devotion to this special group of ministers. We are blessed by his continuing friendship and commitment to our work.”