FORT WORTH -- The Rev. Wayne Day, senior pastor of the 11,000-member First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth, Texas, for the past eight years, will retire June 1.

According to the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, Day presented a letter outlining his plans to the bishop and to Larry Wheeler, chairman of the First Methodist Staff Parish Relations Committee.

"He has had a brilliant career and has been acclaimed for bringing much healing to a church he began serving in a time of great trouble," said Bishop Ben Chamness.

Day, 57, led First Methodist into a period of growth after becoming senior pastor in the wake of the resignation of its former minister, who was accused of sexual misconduct.

Although in his letter Day spoke of retiring from the ministry, he said in an interview Monday that he has not decided what to do.

"It's true, I'm leaving the church in June," Day said. "One of the things I'm considering is retirement, but there are other options. I may take a sabbatical. I may take another position in the church."

Day cited the stress of running a big-city church as one reason for his decision.

"I've served large churches for almost three decades, and there are a lot of problems involved," Day said. "I'm ready for a rest and to explore some new directions."

Chamness said Day's decision was entirely voluntary.

"He did this on his own," the bishop said. "Yes, it was a surprise. But we can celebrate his ministry, and we will move on in making a smooth transition."

Day came to the Fort Worth church from St. Paul United Methodist Church in Houston. He was also the founding pastor of Klein United Methodist Church in suburban Houston, which for many years was the fastest-growing church in that region.