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The 5 Essentials of Succession Planning.


The 5 essentials of succession planning.

The success or failure of a change process in regards to succession in a church is based around 5 essential points.

1) Have a clear plan.
Make sure that as the years go by, that the leadership are aware that at a certain time in the future, you as the senior leader will step aside. In my mind this should be written down and agreed by all the leadership. It is also important that a successor is identified, it's not a good idea one year out from stepping aside that advertisements are placed for prospective candidates. The person ready to take over from you needs to learn the ebb and flow of your church's life. If they are already in the church do they carry your DNA but at the same time have the strength of personality to imprint their own ideas and vision. Is there sufficient time to immerse that person in leadership and leadership training? You don't become the CEO of a company without having climbed the ladder of corporate leadership. Have a plan, write it down, stick to it.

2)Don't make changes too quickly.
Congregations don't mind change as long as they are justifiable, communicated well and planned. However when it comes to a senior leadership change it is vital , not to rush it. A rushed leadership change could result in an exodus of people from the church. People need to hear a shepherds voice, feel their heart and identify with their vision. This takes time don't rush the changeover.

3) Ensure there are no hidden landmines.
Everybody, wants the succession plan to work and for there to be a smooth transition through the whole change process. However, sometimes there are hidden secrets, in the lives of either the senior leader or the successor, if, by any chance, these secrets see the light of day, they could destroy reputations, lives and congregations. Candid conversations between all parties, leadership team, senior leader and successor, are needed. The last thing anyone wants is to step on an IED.

4) Let go.
The hardest thing for any senior leader to do is let go of the entity, that they have put heart and soul, blood , sweat and tears into, but let go they must. If the senior leader is going to stay around the church, as a father of the house, then here are a number of things that they can do, to reduce any temptation to get involved. Go on a six month sabbatical, a long holiday combined with some itinerant preaching. Play lots of golf or some other sport. Plan a year in advance, get on the phone and organise a year of preaching dates at other churches. Or better still just leave the church and enjoy retirement.

5) Do not be tempted to pry.
If the senior leader is going to stay in the church, do not be tempted to pry. Do not have an opinion on how things should be done, When others come to talk to you direct them to the leadership team. The vision is no longer yours you have handed over to someone else. If the plan has been done right, then there will be nothing to worry about.


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