The LeadingSmart Podcast
Honest conversations. Practical insights. Smarter leadership.
Hosted by Tim Stevens and Holly Tate, The LeadingSmart Podcast exists to equip church leaders who care deeply about leading with integrity, clarity, and wisdom—even when it’s hard.
In Season One, we’re diving into a topic most churches avoid until it’s too late: pastoral succession. Over 10 episodes, we’ll pull back the curtain on one of the most critical and complex leadership conversations in the Church today.
Whether you’re a senior pastor beginning to ask “what’s next?”, a board member trying to plan for the future, or a staff leader walking through change, this season will give you the tools, language, and courage to navigate succession well.
Here’s what you can expect each week:
Insight from decades of experience helping churches through transition
Honest stories from the frontlines
Tangible takeaways you can apply with your team, board, or congregation
And of course…our weekly Rants & Raves on everything from leadership to soft pants 😄
Because the truth is: Succession isn’t a moment. It’s a mindset. And it starts long before you think you’re ready.
#LeadingSmartPodcast, #ChurchLeadership, #SuccessionPlanning, #LeadershipDevelopment, #ExecutivePastor, #LeadershipTools, #MinistryCoaching, #LeadershipPodcast
The LeadingSmart Podcast
Ep. 3 — The Senior Pastor’s Personal Journey
In this deeply personal episode, Tim and Holly talk about the emotional and vulnerable side of pastoral succession that often goes unspoken. We get real about what senior pastors—especially founding pastors—actually face when they start thinking about stepping down.
Here's what we cover:
The Identity Crisis: Why pastors who've led for 20-30+ years struggle with questions like "Is this my last Easter?" after leading 37 consecutive holiday services.
The Two Biggest Fears: How identity confusion and financial uncertainty keep pastors holding on longer than they should, and practical steps to address both.
The Ripple Effect: The often-overlooked impact on spouses and children, including staff transitions and identity shifts for the entire pastoral family.
The Art of Transition: How outgoing pastors can become "Chief Cheerleader Officers," transferring trust to their successors while new leaders elevate the legacy of those who came before.
Who pastors should talk to: From trusted board members to financial advisors to other pastors who get it.
This Episode is for:
- Senior pastors contemplating succession
- Second-chair leaders supporting pastoral transitions
- Church board members dealing with leadership changes
- Anyone interested in healthy organizational succession
Plus, don't miss our signature "Rant vs. Rave" segment where we discuss everything from Seth Godin's disruptive thinking to the modern evolution of engagement announcements!
Next Episode: The board's role in healthy succession planning
00:00 Introduction: The Emotional Journey of Senior Pastors
00:16 Understanding the Vulnerability of Senior Pastors
02:14 Identity and Financial Fears
03:07 Support Systems for Senior Pastors
05:19 The Role of the Spouse and Family
08:16 Transitioning Roles and Legacy Building
13:46 Rant vs Rave: Engagements and Celebrations
The LeadingSmart Podcast - Where leadership wisdom meets real-world application.
#pastoralsuccession #emotionaljourney #churchleadership #faithcommunity #churchlegacy #generationaldifferences
🎧 Listen to the full Pastoral Succession series
https://www.leadingsmart.com/podcast
📘 Download our free Succession Planning Guide
https://www.leadingsmart.com/pastoral-succession-ebook
📩 Have questions or want to connect?
https://www.leadingsmart.com/lets-talk
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