Successful Succession Requires More Than Great Leaders
Body
“It takes humility for an effective leader to step aside, for the leader to recognize that the mission is bigger than one person.” - Eric Geiger
Advice for Retiring Pastors
Body
“The questions these pastors have typically revolve around three issues: how do I prepare my church for my retirement?; what are some major financial issues regarding retirement?; and what do I do after I retire?” - Thom Rainer
Discussion
A Biblical Plan for Pastoral Succession, Part 2
Read Part 1.
Practical Advice
It’s one thing to put some verses together and present a pastoral succession plan. It’s another thing to carry out this plan. The following distills many authors’ advice on pastoral succession, addressed here to key individuals and groups.
Discussion
A Biblical Plan for Pastoral Succession, Part 1
Every pastor is an interim pastor. Every pastor eventually resigns, retires, or dies. What is your church’s plan to find your next pastor?
Scripture lays the foundation for an ideal pastoral succession plan: the outgoing pastor trains men for ministry, prepares his church for his departure, and, with the church’s approval, appoints one of these men as his successor. If a pastor does not prepare his church for his departure, the church will likely struggle after he leaves. The Bible suggests a better way.
Discussion
Barna: The Pastoral Succession Crisis Is Getting More Complicated
Body
“As of 2022, only 16 percent of Protestant senior pastors are 40 years old or younger, and the average age among pastors is 52. As a generation of clergy ages and prepares to step down, it is not clear that churches are prepared for the transition.” - Barna
Discussion
One in Four Pastors Plan to Retire Before 2030
Body
“The graying of America’s pastors isn’t a new phenomenon, but it has become more pronounced. In 2022, just 16 percent of Protestant senior pastors were 40 years old or younger.” - C.Today
Discussion
Image
Discussion