Succession in the Church: Leading at the Crossroads of Stewardship and Discipleship

Succession in the Church: Leading at the Crossroads of Stewardship and Discipleship

Brent Coltharp | 2018

Abstract

This manuscript makes a case for why an understanding and commitment to healthy succession is essential for the future of Christian organizations and local congregations. The corporate world, along with many other fields and disciplines, has realized the importance of succession planning and management. Far too often Christian organizations are only motivated to address succession when they are forced to reactively execute a succession plan due to a crisis, rather than proactively engaging from a position of strength and stability. Secondarily, the concept of succession in the church is inextricably intertwined with the senior leadership position. The topic is rarely considered with regards to other positions, roles, and responsibilities throughout the organization or congregation. The author proposes that succession should be holistic and healthy, meaning that it should exceed traditional planning to incorporate succession management, addressing the leadership needs of the entire organization in the present, while simultaneously preparing for the future. Also, the argument is made that the Christian church should be leading the way when it comes to succession planning and management, recognizing that there is a biblical foundation for the practice and process. The scriptures emphasize the importance of two core doctrines, stewardship and discipleship. The author believes that when organizational and church leaders lead at the crossroads of stewardship and discipleship, healthy and holistic succession planning and management will be the natural result.