Many churches spend months planning succession—but forget to plan how to communicate it. Episode 7 of the LeadingSmart Podcast reveals how to get it right: who to tell, when to tell them, and how to protect trust every step of the way.

Discover why finances are often the hidden key to a healthy pastoral succession. In episode 6 of The LeadingSmart Podcast, we explore how to prepare, fund, and lead through the financial side of transition. Get ready for your church and leadership to thrive financially.

Leadership is rewarding, but it’s also lonely. The higher you rise, the harder it becomes to find someone who can speak into your leadership with clarity, objectivity, and wisdom. That’s where a strategic advisor can make all the difference.

In Episode 5 of the Leading Smart Podcast, we discuss what to do when someone already on your team wants to throw their name in the hat. Whether it’s your teaching pastor, a beloved campus leader, or someone with long-standing ties to your church, the big question is this: Is an internal candidate a blessing—or a blind spot?

In Episode 4 of the Leading Smart Podcast, we talk about something churches often overlook: the board’s role in a healthy succession. Because let’s face it, you can’t plan a smooth succession without a strong foundation of trust and clarity between the senior pastor and the board.

Hiring great people isn’t just about job descriptions and interview questions. It’s about discernment, relational investment, and telling the whole truth. Here are 3 critical phases to the interview process that will ensure every new hire is a good hire.

Most people know LeadingSmart for coaching, succession planning, and executive pastor gatherings—but few know about our highest level of support: Strategic Advising. Strategic Advising is a long-term partnership model where we embed in your leadership rhythms, join key meetings, and serve as trusted thought partners. It’s deeper than coaching or consulting—designed for the complexity senior church leaders face today. Learn more.

The emotional side of succession planning is often the most overlooked—and the most vulnerable. In this LeadingSmart Podcast episode, we share what we’ve seen pastors and families go through, and 3 ways to prepare for successful pastoral succession.