Succession Planning

A church succession plan is a strategy to secure continued operations in all church departments by preparing for the development and replacement of all key people. It’s the plan to make sure the church keeps thriving after crucial leaders move on.

Yes. The New Testament version of succession planning is called the “laying on of hands” (1 Tim. 5:22), in which leaders prepare and appoint a person for roles of responsibility. Prepared successors are famous in the Bible: Moses and Joshua, David and Solomon, Elijah and Elisha, Paul and Timothy. The lack of a ready successor created devastating problems. No one followed Joshua, leading to the Judges' terrible years. Solomon’s successor split the kingdom (1 Kings 12:12–17). Elisha’s successor failed before he started (2 Kings 5:27). We’ve never heard of Timothy’s successor. God helped Joshua accomplish his mission, but Joshua still was unable to develop his replacement. God had already commanded the church to make succession plans when he gave us the Great Commission to “make disciples” (Matt. 28:19). If we do not make preparations for the next generation of leaders, we have neglected the Great Commission.

Every church succession plan must include a list of key positions, expected soon vacancies, the pool of candidates put in order for each job, and the next steps to prepare each candidate. Every succession plan must include a leadership development plan built into the discipleship process. Your succession should begin with evangelization and end with retirement.

We help you make an inventory of your expected vacancies and give you practical steps to prepare your candidates for the next level of leadership. We also create a plan for you to implement a leadership development program, so your pool of candidates becomes deeper and wider.