“Go up to the top of [Mount] Pisgah and raise your eyes toward the west and north and south and east, and see it with your eyes, for you shall not cross this Jordan. But command Joshua and encourage and strengthen him, for he shall go across and lead this people, and he will give them the land which you see as an inheritance.” (Deuteronomy 3:27-28 The Amplified Bible)
Succession planning is not a strategy that is only enacted by the executive management of huge or small corporations, but it is also orchestrated by God, in the church. I’m looking at the passage above to extract something from God’s model for succession planning. I think this is a perfect meditation for every leader and each member of any local church. Far too often there is turmoil, tension, and the tearing apart of a church body because there was no succession plan. Let me inject from my personal experience that God’s model works. And when it works, great victories will be seen, perhaps like never before, as a church enters a new phase and makes progressive steps forward as a body.
Yes, you can look at succession planning templates designed by secular organizations who depend on the wise minds of experienced leaders. Or you contract with experienced Human Resources consultants to advise you on succession planning models or various related options. But there is a better option. Instead of seeking direction from wise men, seek direction for an all-wise God. Instead of signing a contract with personnel experts in the field of HR, consider following the model created by the One who created all persons.
Looking at the passage above and you will get a thumbnail sketch of God’s model for succession planning. First, God is the one who decides when the time is right for and incumbent to begin the process of stepping down. Now, I did not limit this to the Lead Pastor in the church, but to all leaders in the church, including those who are seen as the faith leader in their homes. Second, leaders who have reached the peak of a mountain in regard to their serving, at the time deemed appropriate and according to the will of God, he/she must be actively engaged in developing their successors. Succession planning requires that a leader abandon ego. It requires that they don’t stay attached to their position identity. It requires recognizing that obedience to God in carrying out His succession plan is not a matter of termination, but rather of continuation. Third, the people who we call “followers,” or “laypersons,” or “members of the church” for the purpose of explaining God’s model, they must accept the change. Remember, it is God’s model for succession planning, and He always knows what He is doing. Fourth, based on the text above, know that God not only is in the decision-making position and the design of any succession plan. You see, if we follow His model, He will be with the successor and followers to ensure not only success, but growth.
Hopefully this meditation will benefit you at some time during your church-life experiences. Maybe you should share it with others. Nevertheless, include more advice. Don’t limit yourself to this one passage. Study the word of God on this subject and gain additional understanding of God’s plan for succession planning. Of course, one of the passages that is “must reading” serves as our closing verses. Look at them and think about how John the Baptist, Jesus’ earthly cousin, older than Jesus, went along with God’s succession plan model for the benefit of lost souls like you and me. Have a terrific Tuesday. If you got nothing else out of today’s meditation, at least remember that God should be in charge and He really should be the head of your life. And remember, God the Son, Jesus, is the Head of the church. Be blessed!
“You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’ He who has the bride is the groom; but the friend of the groom, who stands and listens to him, rejoices greatly because of the groom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:28-30 NASB)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King