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. 8 —The Transition Team: Who’s on It & Why It Matters
Who Should Be On Your Transition Team and What Do They Actually Do?
In this episode of LeadingSmart, hosts Tim and Holly discuss one of the most critical components of pastoral succession - the transition team. If you're a church leader wondering how to navigate this important process, this episode is packed with practical insights you won't want to miss!
What You'll Learn:
- Why "transition team" is better than "search committee"
- The ideal size and makeup of your transition team (spoiler: it's not your entire board!)
- Essential qualities to look for in team members
- Red flags: Who should absolutely NOT be on your transition team
- The 8 key responsibilities of an effective transition team
- How to avoid "scope creep" and keep your team focused
- Practical tips for internal vs. external candidate transitions
Key Takeaways:
- Aim for 6-8 people with a mix of board members and congregation members
- Look for macro-level thinkers, not people with personal agendas
- Prioritize wisdom, prayer, and discernment over representation
- Define roles clearly to prevent the team from trying to "run the church"
- Plan for celebration, communication, and handoff processes
Resources Mentioned:
- "The Pastoral Search Committee Handbook" by William Vanderbloemen
LeadingSmart is your go-to resource for pastoral succession planning. Whether you're preparing for an upcoming transition or just want to be proactive, Tim and Holly provide expert guidance based on real-world experience.
Next Episode Preview: Episode 9 will cover building the ideal senior pastor profile for both internal and external candidates.
Need Help With Your Transition? The Leading Smart team offers coaching and advisory services to guide churches through successful pastoral transitions.
#PastoralSuccession #ChurchLeadership #TransitionTeam #PastoralSearch #ChurchManagement #LeadershipDevelopment #ChurchGrowth
🎧 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
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https://www.leadingsmart.com/lets-talk
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