I had a flashback when I heard the news about Andy Stanley's retirement.
About 25 years ago, we hosted a Catalyst event at Granger with Andy Stanley and Craig Groeschel. I was the executive pastor at the time and got to sit across from both of them at dinner.
I remember thinking, I've got these two incredible leaders in front of me. What can I ask them?
So I asked how they were thinking about succession. What would happen to North Point and Life.Church when they were done leading?
I'll never forget Andy's response.
"I'm not smart enough to figure that out."
He went on to explain that this was why he had a lay board. He trusted them to help determine what was best for North Point when that day came.
I had no idea that 25 years later, I'd be helping churches navigate those exact conversations.
And now, here we are.
With Andy's announcement that he'll be retiring and Joel Thomas will become North Point's next lead pastor, I've been reflecting on what makes a healthy pastoral succession.
And one thing I've learned through years of walking alongside churches is that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to succession.
Three Ways to Navigate Pastoral Succession
When we're working with churches, we typically talk about three types of pastoral transitions. Each has advantages and challenges, and choosing the right approach depends on the church and its leadership.
1. The Gap
A gap transition happens when the outgoing pastor leaves before the next pastor steps in.
Sometimes this is intentional. Other times, it happens unexpectedly because of a health crisis, moral failure, or sudden departure.
A gap can give a church space to reflect and prepare for new leadership, but it also requires strong interim leadership to navigate the uncertainty.
2. The Baton Pass
Think about a relay race. For a brief moment, both runners have their hands on the baton before one lets go and the other takes off.
The incoming pastor begins while the outgoing pastor is still present, but the transition happens fairly quickly, often over a few months.
This can work particularly well when the outgoing pastor has been a larger-than-life leader. Sometimes the healthiest thing that leader can do is step aside and give the next leader room to lead.
3. The Overlap
An overlap is a longer, intentional transition where the outgoing and incoming leaders work alongside each other.
We're currently working with a church that's planning nearly three and a half years of overlap. Their incoming pastor has been on staff for more than 15 years, but there are areas of leadership he hasn't experienced yet, like leading a board and fundraising.
That time together creates an opportunity for mentoring, development, and a gradual transfer of responsibility.
North Point's announced transition has elements of this approach, with Andy and Joel navigating the handoff over the coming months.
The longest transition isn't necessarily the healthiest transition. The right approach is the one that best serves the church and sets the next leader up for success.
Succession Is About More Than Choosing the Next Pastor
One thing we talked about on the podcast is how succession affects the entire congregation.
Think about someone who's attended North Point for 20 years. Andy may have been their pastor through some of the most significant moments of their life.
Even when a transition is positive, there's still a sense of loss.
I've often said that when one of three things changes in a church, people have to decide whether they're still all in:
The leader changes. The person they've followed and trusted is no longer leading.
The vision changes. The direction of the church may look different.
The team changes. The relationships and familiar faces begin to shift.
Sometimes people make that decision in a split second. Others need months to process the change.
Healthy succession isn't just about transferring leadership responsibilities. It's about helping people navigate change and embrace what's next.
Don't Wait Until It's Time to Say Goodbye
Here's something that surprises a lot of church leaders:
I believe the actual search for the next pastor is maybe 15% of a successful transition.
There's so much more that goes into it. Board alignment. Leadership development. Organizational health. Communication. Preparing the congregation.
And understanding what kind of leader the church will need for its next season.
The next pastor may not need to look or lead exactly like the current one. In fact, we've identified four types of successor pastors that churches should consider before beginning their search.
Listen to our episode on the Four Types of Successor Pastors here.
Whether you're two years or ten years away from a transition, are you having the conversations today that will set your church up for a healthy future?
Succession shouldn't be something where we say, "We'll think about that when we get there."
Listen to the Full Conversation
On this week's episode of The LeadingSmart Podcast, Holly and I reflect on Andy Stanley's retirement announcement, celebrate his leadership, and talk about what churches can learn from this transition.
How LeadingSmart Helps
If you're thinking about succession, whether it's two years away or ten, we'd love to walk alongside you.
At LeadingSmart, we help pastors, boards, and leadership teams navigate healthy transitions with clarity and intentionality.
It's never too early to start the conversation.