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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.
We are officially on Season 3! This season is about staying sharp in today’s rapidly changing environment. We’ll dive into the practical issues leaders are facing right now—from running effective executive team meetings to navigating crucial conversations to leading in moments when the playbook doesn’t exist yet.
Holly and Tim are moving out of the studio into our offices, and they will be recording and posting in real time, responding to current events as they happen, sharing fresh insights from our work with leaders across North America.
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The LeadingSmart Podcast
[S1EP7] How To Communicate the Transition When It Comes To Pastoral Succession | Pastoral Succession
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
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