Leadership Transition

Daily Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 34-35; Joshua 1; Psalm 91

Daily Focus Passage: Joshua 1

Leadership serves as a vital component of any organization. Leadership provides the needed guiding, directing, and preparation for people moving from one place to another. Like everything, leaders have a limited capacity for their leadership because the time will come when they can no longer physically or mentally carry out the tasks. When this moment occurs, one of two dynamics occurs. First, a smooth transition happens because preparation and planning have occurred. Second, chaos ensues because no plan and succession were prepared. As Deuteronomy closes and Joshua begins, we find the importance of leadership transition.

LEADERSHIP TRANSITION MUST BE INTENTIONAL

Leadership transition does not occur smoothly without an intentional approach to the process. The intentional nature drives current leaders to recognize their role is nearing an end and acknowledgment that a new leader must be chosen and prepared for continued success. When a leader rejects an intentional approach to selecting the successor, the transition becomes chaotic and often out of immediate need instead of planned foresight. An intentional process occurs when the current leader leads in humility and concerns their leadership with others instead of the desires of the self.  

LEADERSHIP TRANSITION MUST BE ABOUT THE OVERALL GOOD

The process of transition leadership must never rest on the elevation of the current leader or the benefit of a select few—instead, the need for leadership transition rest in the desire for the overall good for all involved. The leader's verbiage and the leader's desires do not extend from personal feelings or pride but instead center on the building up of those being led. The leader seeks a smooth transition in leadership so that those being led continue to receive the benefits of solid and compassionate leadership.  

LEADERSHIP TRANSITION MUST BE A MOMENT OF SEEKING THE LORD

In the Christian world, these moments of transition must occur under the influence of the Lord. Leaders must seek guidance from the Lord in the structure of the process and the selection of the individual to follow. The leader and the people must request that the Lord prepare their hearts to receive his leadership in the leadership transition experience. Thus, believers in leadership do not need to select the next leaders through worldly metrics; instead, they must seek the Lord for the wisdom and guidance needed for success.  

LEADERSHIP TRANSITION MUST INCLUDE PREPARATION

Strong leadership transition includes a time of strategic preparation. The preparation occurs at multiple levels. First, the current leader must prepare to take a step back and encourage the successor. Second, the successor must prepare to lead by learning from the current leader and developing critical leadership skills. Third, the people must commit to hearing a new voice in leadership and following that lead. The multiple levels of preparation reveal the need for preparation for a successful transition.  

Leadership is a difficult task. As a leader concerns the self with leading others, they must commit to leading under the leadership of the Lord. At the same time, the leader is responsible for seeking the Lord and forming a process of succession at the appropriate time. In the local church, this succession may be on a staff member, committee, Sunday School, or other ministry levels. As you consider your leadership roles in the local church, in what ways could you aid in developing a leadership succession plan to promote the continued movement of the ministry you serve?