Passing the Baton: A Father-Son Pastoral Transition

Pastoral transitions are never simple—but what happens when the outgoing pastor is a father, and the incoming pastor is his son? In this episode of Advancing the Cause, host Dr. Richard Bargas sits down with Dr. Gary Gilley and Brian Gilley of Southern View Chapel in Springfield, Illinois, to discuss their ongoing journey through this uncommon and deeply personal transition of leadership.

With honesty, humility, and biblical conviction, Gary and Brian share how the Lord led them toward this process, the scriptural principles guiding their decisions, and the safeguards they’ve put in place to ensure the church—not the family—remains at the center. They talk candidly about the emotional challenges of letting go and stepping in, the impact on the congregation, and how they’ve navigated expectations, communication, and accountability.

Listeners will hear not only about the difficulties and potential pitfalls of a family pastoral succession, but also about the unexpected blessings—stronger relationships, spiritual growth, and renewed vision for the future of Southern View Chapel.

Whether you are a pastor, elder, or church member, this conversation offers wisdom, cautions, and encouragement for anyone facing or preparing for pastoral transition.

Learn more about Southern View Chapel here: https://svchapel.org