[S1EP5] Are Internal Successors an Opportunity or Landmine? | Pastoral Succession

Welcome back to The LeadingSmart Podcast!

In this episode of LeadingSmart, hosts Tim Stevens and Holly Tate tackle one of the most critical questions in pastoral succession: Should you promote from within or look externally? When that promising teaching pastor or student ministry leader seems like the perfect fit, is it really an opportunity—or are you walking into a landmine?

Tim and Holly break down the real challenges churches face when considering internal candidates for senior pastor roles. From the emotional complexity of the "American Idol" approach to succession, to the harsh reality that less than one in ten internal candidates who don't get the job actually stay at the church, this episode doesn't shy away from the tough truths.

What You'll Learn:

• When promoting internally works (and when it absolutely doesn't)
• The critical landmines that can destroy both relationships and church health
• Why timing matters more than you think in succession planning
• How to objectively evaluate someone you know personally
• The importance of having clear leadership development pathways

Key Insights:

• If your church is growing and healthy, internal promotion can maintain momentum
• If your church is plateaued or declining, you likely need fresh external perspective
• Never let the process drag on—make internal candidate decisions within 3-4 months
• Avoid stacking internal candidates against external searches

Plus, don't miss Tim's surprising rave about airplane travel and Holly's passionate rant about men not wearing wedding rings!

Whether you're a senior pastor planning your succession, a board member navigating this process, or a ministry leader wondering about your own future, this episode provides the honest, practical guidance you need.

Hosts: Tim Stevens and Holly Tate bring years of church consulting experience to help leaders navigate the complexities of pastoral transitions.

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Chapters

• 0:13 Episode Overview: Internal Candidates
• 0:33 Opportunity or Landmine?
• 1:04 Defining an Internal Candidate
• 1:55 Leadership Development Pathways
• 4:10 When Promoting Internally Works
• 5:35 Potential Landmines
• 10:16 valuating Internal Candidates
• 10:48 Succession Team and Lead Pastor Profile
• 12:23 ransition to Rants and Raves
• 12:33 Rave: Love for Airplane Flights
• 14:01 Rant: Inconsistent WiFi on Flights
• 14:28 Rant: Men Not Wearing Wedding Rings
• 15:53 Tattoo as a Wedding Ring Alternative
• 16:27 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser