At Criswell's request in 1988 a search committee was formed to identify and call a new pastor. On Thanksgiving Sunday evening 1990 First Baptist called Joel C. Gregory as pastor, following the unanimous recommendation of the pastor search committee and the deacons. Gregory became pastor while Criswell took the title "Senior Pastor." At the Wednesday evening service on September 30, 1992, Gregory announced his resignation, indicating that the intended succession of Criswell had not taken place. Gregory subsequently wrote "Too Great a Temptation" (Summit Group, 1994) describing his experiences during this period.