And according to Lyle Schaller, "The larger the church, the longer the tenure, and the sharper the growth pattern, the more crucial is succession and the more difficult to work it out."
Change is hard. And leadership succession can implode a church if not handled with extreme care and planning.
We're tackling this issue of succession in our next Leadership Network online conference. You'll learn from leaders that have survived difficult transitions; some that completed successful transitions, and others who have paid the price of a failed succession. You'll get insight both from those who have passed the baton, and those that have received it.
We think it will be a valuable day for you and your leadership team. It will be an opportunity for you to start the succession discussion (if you haven't already), and to learn great lessons from those that have already gone through these largely uncharted waters for many churches.
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We've assembled some great speakers
that will talk about all kinds of succession and transition for
churches. Here are a few of our speaker's stories...
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Jason Gerdes entered
a difficult situation when he became the second pastor of Revolution
Church. The founding pastor of four years had been forced to leave
after a extramarital affair was exposed. And the very day that Jason
was announced as the new pastor at Revolution, the former pastor
announced that he was planting a new church in the same town. Jason
will share what he's learned in the three years since the succession,
and how there is life on the other side for a church that goes through
such a rough period of trial and testing.
Being the son of a
nationally known pastor is never easy. But Dr. Jerry Falwell's sudden
heart attack nearly five years ago pushed Jonathan Falwell toward a
position he was not expecting or necessarily cherishing: becoming the
senior leader of the church his father founded and pastored for over
fifty years. Jonathan shares with us how God has blessed Thomas Road
before, during, and after this high profile succession.
When Gene Getz was
68 years old, he realized it was time to pass the torch of his
Senior Pastor position at Fellowship Bible Church North. Gene will
share with us how he sensed that God wanted him to transition the
position of Senior Pastor to someone else and how that came about.
We'll also hear from Gene's successor, Jeff Jones, on what it has been
like to step into the shoes of a much-loved, long-term founding pastor
like Gene.
Jason Bolin had to
instantly fill his father's shoes at Trinity Chapel. When his father's
moral failure was revealed, Jason found himself not only as his
father's immediate successor, but also as the person who would be
reponsible for walking the path with his father (and mother) toward
reconcilation. Jason shares openly what he has learned over the past
years, and what churches can do to make it through times of tough
transition and brokenness.
Earlier this year,
Jason Meyer took the senior pastor reins from one of the most prominent
pastors in America: John Piper. While it is still very early in
Bethlehem's succession plan, Jason shares with us more about the
planning and implementation of the succession at Bethlehem, and what
he's learning along the way.
Why would a pastor
leave a church when things are going great? And how does God work in
the heart of a leader when he wants the leader to step out into the
unknown. Francis Chan stunned many in the church world a couple of
years ago when announced a change in direction in his life and
ministry. Francis will share with us how all this change came about,
and some wisdom on how all of us can be attentive to God's voice during
times of personal transition and succession.
Laurie Beeshore had
led well at Mariner's Church for years. In fact, she had led so well,
the the ministry outgrew her. She became overwhelmed, and humbly turned
over the leadership of the ministry she loved and built to another
person. Laurie still serves in that ministry today, but in a much
different capacity. Laurie will share with us the importance of knowing
when to transition, and how to deal with very tough and personal
emotions, even when you know you're doing the right thing.
At 29 years-old,
Bryan Carter found himself taking over a church pastored for 28 years
by a much-loved and well-known pastor. Bryan had been hired as this
man's successor, and they were working through the process and plan of
that succession when the pastor died. Bryan will share with us how to
successfully succeed a long-term pastor, and what you can do if you're
in that type of a role to insure your longevity and success.