The Conversation We Avoid: Why Succession Planning Is an Act of Faithfulness

by Stephen Hay | Mar 13, 2025 | Leadership

We don’t often speak about pastoral succession in our churches — not in the way we need to.

We might allude to it in elder meetings or crack a nervous joke about “preaching until we drop,” but rarely do we treat it as the serious, spiritual responsibility that it is. And yet, leadership transitions are not an if but a when. We will all, eventually, step aside.

Recently, I read a doctoral thesis that offered a gentle but urgent nudge. It wasn’t loud or dramatic. It was thoughtful and quietly convicting — the kind of writing that does what God’s Word so often does: lays us bare and builds us up.

Among its many insights, one rose to the surface like a truth I already knew but hadn’t dared say out loud: to lead well is to prepare others to lead after you.

Leadership Isn’t a Lifetime Appointment

There’s a sacredness to pastoral leadership — and with that comes a temptation to treat the role as something permanent. But biblically speaking, leadership is a season, not a possession.

The research I reviewed pointed to a compelling statistic: 84% of churches in America lack a written succession plan for their senior pastor (Vanderbloemen & Bird, Next: Pastoral Succession That Works). Let that sit with you for a moment.

Eighty-four percent.

That means most churches are unprepared for the inevitable — be it retirement, illness, moral failure, or the quiet nudge of the Holy Spirit calling a pastor to a new season. The absence of a plan is rarely out of apathy. More often, it’s out of discomfort. But faithfulness invites us into discomfort when it’s required for the flourishing of God’s people.

The “Moses Effect” — And the Cost of Delay

The thesis described a leadership pattern called the “Moses Effect.” It refers to faithful pastors who lead well for decades but remain in their role long past the season of fruitfulness — often without training a successor.

The image is compelling: Moses led the people out of Egypt, but Joshua led them into the Promised Land. God’s purposes required both. And for the transition to work, the baton had to be passed intentionally.

We are not Moses forever. We are stewards for a time. The question is: will we raise up Joshua while we still can?

Succession Planning Is Spiritual Formation

Succession is not just a leadership issue — it is a discipleship issue. It is the natural extension of what Jesus modeled.

Jesus didn’t just preach the kingdom. He prepared people to preach after Him.

He empowered His disciples. He equipped them. And — maybe most counterintuitively — He left. He did not cling to His earthly ministry. He completed it, and in doing so, gave it away.

To prepare a successor is to say with our lives what we preach with our lips: This ministry was never mine to begin with. It belongs to God, and He will raise up the next shepherd, just as He raised up me.

Why We Delay (and Why We Can’t)

So why don’t churches plan?

The research uncovered familiar obstacles: fear of financial insecurity, emotional attachment to the role, fear of irrelevance, and, perhaps most deeply, the absence of a vision for what comes next.

As a consultant, I’ve seen this up close. Churches hope the conversation will wait until a better time — after Easter, after the budget is settled, after this next hire. But succession planning is never urgent until it’s too urgent.

The longer we wait, the more we risk:

• Leadership confusion
• Loss of trust
• Congregational division
• Ministry decline

Planning doesn’t weaken your leadership. It strengthens your legacy.

A Better Way Forward

You don’t need a retirement date on the calendar to begin thinking about succession.

Here’s what you do need:

• The humility to admit your season has limits.
• The courage to ask who God might be raising up.
• The wisdom to involve others in the process.
• The love to leave well — not for your sake, but for theirs.

Because a leader who loves their people prepares them not just for this season, but for the next.

One Takeaway for All of Us

Successions are not about endings, but about endurance.

It is the quiet, courageous work of ensuring the Church continues — not on your shoulders, but on the shoulders of those you’ve discipled, mentored, prayed for, and released.

We are not called to be the cornerstone. We are called to build faithfully upon it.

So whether you’re a lead pastor, a board member, or someone serving behind the scenes, consider this an invitation: to begin the conversation, to trust the Spirit’s timing, and to believe that what God started through you, He will continue — through someone else.

Because the true measure of leadership is not what we keep. It’s what we leave.

2025 and Beyond: The Cultural Shifts Every Ministry Leader Must Face

by Stephen Hay | Mar 4, 2025 | Leadership

The sands of culture shift as swiftly as the desert winds. As ministry leaders, we can either lament the changing landscape or engage with it—wisely, strategically, and with unwavering faith.

A recent study, 2025 Trends Outlook, released by Dr. George Barna and the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, presents a sobering yet essential roadmap of where faith and culture are heading. Some of these shifts may feel unsettling, even convicting. But ignoring them is not an option.

These trends ask for our attention—not just as passive observers but as shepherds called to guide our flocks through an era of transformation.

1. The Reshaping of Faith: Is the Church Ready?

One of the most striking trends in Barna’s findings is the growing shift away from a biblical characterization of God. Many Americans are redefining God into a less demanding, more accommodating figure—one that fits neatly within their worldview.

Coupled with this is the rise of syncretism, where people blend elements of Christianity with various philosophical and spiritual beliefs. The result? A dilution of the biblical worldview, where absolute truth is replaced with personal preference.

This should stop us in our tracks. If discipleship is already struggling, as the study suggests, then our task is even clearer: we must reclaim a culture of deep, transformative discipleship. Sermons alone won’t suffice. The next generation needs robust mentorship, biblical literacy, and a faith that isn’t easily swayed by cultural currents.

Are we equipping believers to defend and live out their faith, or are we simply maintaining traditions?

2. The Church Beyond the Building: A Decentralized Future

Another growing trend is the decentralization of worship. Traditional church models face new challenges as more believers explore home-based gatherings, digital discipleship, and alternative faith communities.

This isn’t just a logistical shift—it’s a theological one. If people are moving away from traditional Sunday gatherings, are we still discipling them effectively? Are we preparing leaders who can shepherd in homes, coffee shops, and workplaces?

Jesus built His church not on a location but on people—people who made disciples wherever they went. If the structures are shifting, perhaps our mindset needs to shift as well.

Instead of resisting change, we should ask: How can we innovate while staying rooted in biblical truth?

3. The Call to Justice: Is the Church Leading or Lagging?

For years, the church has wrestled with its role in social justice. Some fear that engagement in justice issues means embracing secular activism. Others believe that if the church doesn’t step in, it will lose credibility with an emerging generation that deeply values justice and advocacy.

Barna’s research confirms that the expectation for churches to be active in justice work isn’t fading—it’s intensifying. And if we take Micah 6:8 seriously—“To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God”—then we must ask:

• Are we teaching our congregations how to live justice, not just talk about it?
• Does our orthodoxy inform our orthopraxy?
• Justice is not a trend; it’s a biblical mandate. It’s time for the church to lead with both truth and compassion.

4. The Mental Health Crisis: A Silent Epidemic in Our Pews

One of the most alarming cultural shifts highlighted in the report is the rising tide of mental health issues—especially anxiety and depression. This is not just a societal issue; it’s a church issue.

How many in our congregations suffer in silence because they fear judgment instead of support? How many are turning elsewhere for help because the church hasn’t made space for their struggles?

The gospel speaks to the whole person—body, mind, and soul. The church must become a sanctuary for healing, where biblical truth and compassionate care meet. This means equipping pastors and ministry leaders to engage with mental health in meaningful, informed ways.

5. The Future of Discipleship: From Consumers to Participants

At the heart of all these trends is a common thread: a shift from institutional faith to personalized, lived-out belief. More than ever, people want a faith that feels real—not just something they consume on Sundays.

This challenges us to ask: Are we making disciples or just creating churchgoers?

Discipleship in 2025 won’t be about attracting crowds—it will be about engaging hearts and minds. It will require relational investment, intentional mentorship, and a willingness to adapt how we disciple without compromising what we teach.

A Challenge to Ministry Leaders

The church is not dying. But it is changing. And the leaders who will thrive in this new era are the ones who see these shifts not as threats, but as opportunities.

We are called to disciple people, not just maintain institutions.

We are called to shepherd—not simply preserve the status quo.

So as we step into 2025 and beyond, let’s ask ourselves:

• Are we preparing our people to navigate a world where truth is contested?
• Are we equipping them to live out justice, not just debate it?
• Are we cultivating communities that foster mental, spiritual, and relational health?
• Are we discipling in ways that go beyond Sunday services?

These are not easy questions—but they are necessary ones.

The future of faith in America is being written right now. The only question is: Will we, as ministry leaders, rise to the occasion?

What are your thoughts? How is your church preparing for these shifts?

The Four Questions That Changed How I Lead: A Pastor’s Reflection

by Stephen Hay | Jan 20, 2025 | Leadership

Have you ever read something that felt like it was written just for you? That’s exactly how I felt reading Chapter 2 of Good Leaders Ask Great Questions by John C. Maxwell. As a pastor, leadership is at the heart of what I do, and Maxwell’s reflective questions struck a chord deep within me. They didn’t just make me think—they made me change.

Let me take you on this journey, one question at a time, because I believe they can change how you lead, too.

1. Am I Investing in Myself?

When I read this question, I had to pause. As pastors, we’re constantly pouring into others—writing sermons, leading Bible studies, and counseling those in crisis. But when was the last time I truly invested in me? Maxwell reminded me that self-leadership isn’t selfish; it’s essential.

I began carving out time each week for personal growth. For me, that looked like carving out time at 5 am each morning to read, reflect, journal, pray, and go to the gym. It felt strange at first—like I was stepping away from the focus I was called to do. But here’s the thing: when I invested in myself, I noticed my capacity to serve others expanded. I had more energy, more ideas, and more patience.

2. Am I Genuinely Interested in Others?

This one hit hard. I’d always thought I was interested in others—I’m a pastor! But Maxwell asks if we prioritize people over our own leadership ambitions. Ouch. I realized that sometimes I was so focused on “the vision” or “the goal” that I overlooked the people God had placed right before me.

After reading this, I made a conscious effort to slow down. Instead of rushing from one task to the next, I started asking deeper questions: How are you really doing? What’s God teaching you right now? It’s amazing how much more connected I felt to my congregation and team when I stopped treating conversations like checkboxes.

3. Am I Grounded as a Leader?

Authenticity and humility—two words that are easy to preach about but harder to live out. Maxwell’s question about being grounded forced me to reflect on whether I was leading from a place of genuine connection or a pedestal.

On Sunday, I decided to start sharing a personal moment in my sermons—and to my surprise, it didn’t make people see me as weak. It made them feel closer to me. Maxwell is right: people follow leaders who are genuine, not perfect. Staying grounded doesn’t just benefit you; it creates trust and community.

4. Am I Adding Value to My Team?

Finally, Maxwell’s emphasis on adding value to others challenged me to rethink how I approached leadership. Was I building up my team, or was I merely using their talents to accomplish my own vision?

I began shifting my focus from “What can you do for the ministry?” to “How can I help you grow?” That shift transformed our team meetings. They became spaces of encouragement and collaboration rather than tasks and to-do lists. And you know what? The ministry didn’t just survive—it flourished.

My Takeaway for You

Maxwell’s four questions didn’t just refine my leadership; they redefined it. They reminded me that leadership isn’t about a title, a vision, or even results. It’s about people—starting with yourself and extending to those you serve.

So, here’s my advice to you, fellow ministry leaders: Take time this week to sit with these questions. Be honest with yourself. You might be surprised by what you discover. And remember, investing in your growth is one of the best gifts you can give to those you lead.

Because at the end of the day, the best leaders aren’t the ones who stand tallest—they’re the ones who lift others higher. Anágo.

Building Resilient Communities: The Church’s Role in a Hopeful Future

by Stephen Hay | Dec 27, 2024 | Leadership

In their work, Creating Shared Resilience: The Role of the Church in a Hopeful Future, David M. Boan and Josh Ayers delve into local churches’ pivotal function in fostering resilience within communities. They define resilience as the capacity of individuals or systems to recover from shocks and stresses, akin to a rubber band returning to its original state after being stretched.

The authors argue that faith significantly influences resilience by shaping worldviews, suggesting that a healthy, active church naturally contributes to a community’s ability to rebound from crises. They emphasize the concept of integral mission, which integrates word and deed, urging churches to engage in advocacy, civic participation, and creation care as expressions of their faith.

Boan and Ayers introduce a “Shared Resilience” model, encouraging churches to:

• Seek justice
• Build social capital
• Create restoration
• Practice engagement

These practices strengthen the church and the broader community, enhancing collective resilience. Conversely, they caution against negative behaviors—such as increasing separation, fostering dependency, promoting paternalism, and engaging in toxic charity—that can undermine resilience.

The book guides churches aiming to play a proactive role in community development, highlighting the profound impact of faith-based engagement on societal well-being.