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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