2017 and the Law of Succession.

Earlier this month I had coffee and a catch up with a friend, who just happens to be a very successful business leader. As we only get together once or twice a year, due to his busy schedule, I asked him what was new. He told me that he had become the chairman of his board and that he had handed over the day to day running of his company to someone else. This surprised me because he has just turned 50. He said to me it was all to do with succession and ensuring that the company continues to move forward.

A church movement, that I am associated with in New Zealand has over 275 churches, in the next 5 years 35% of their pastors will reach, or have already reached, retirement age, and there is no clear plan to move the denomination forward. There has been no thought put into succession planning.

This got me thinking about the future of many churches and their congregations. Can we apply the same principles of succession management to our churches. Can we confidently hand over the reigns to younger more able people. Or do senior pastor's feel that they have a job for life irrespective of how well they may or may not have done.

As we move into 2017, perhaps it's important for all Christian Leaders, who are in their late 40's or early 50's, to look around and start to put together, with the help of their leadership teams, a succession plan. A plan that involves the recognition of a future senior leader, the training needed and the timetable for its implementation.

I believe that 2017, should be a year of fresh thinking, fresh planning and fresh faces. Succession planning should be an irrefutable law by which we all abide. Paul tells Timothy (the next generation) to fan into flame the gift of God that he received through the laying on of hands. (2 Tim 1:6)

I wish all my readers a God filled 2017, be blessed.

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