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. 7 —Communicating the Transition with Confidence
Welcome back to LeadingSmart Podcast! This season, hosts Tim and Holly are diving deep into pastoral succession, and in Episode 7, they tackle one of the most critical aspects: communicating the transition effectively.
What You'll Learn:
✅ When to announce - the pastoral transition to your congregation
✅ Cone of silence vs. going public - pros and cons of each approach
✅ The four key audiences you need to consider in your communication plan
✅ Common communication mistakes that erode trust and how to avoid them
✅ How to frame succession as a WIN, not a loss
✅ Real-world examples from churches that got it right (and wrong)
Here are some key takeaways:
"You can make the best decision ever, but if you don't communicate it well, you've lost the battle" - even the right decision can fail with poor communication.
Church Example:
Tim shares insights from Willow Creek's recent successful transition, where the announcement, gratitude, and vision casting all happened in just 30 minutes - allowing the church to continue "without missing a beat."
Rant vs. Raves Segment:
The hosts share their favorite brands including Shady Rays sunglasses, Vuori clothing, and more!
LeadingSmart Partners Partners
- **Reach the Lost** - Church SEO and online presence
- **InTulse** - Phone systems and church communication
- **TouchPoint** - Church management systems
Next Episode: The Transition Team - who's on it and why it matters
🎧 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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