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.
Be sure to email us at tim@leadingsmart.com if there are specific topics you want us to cover!
Enjoy!
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The LeadingSmart Podcast
[S3EP19] Shared Leadership Models in the Church: Does Co-Pastoring Actually Work?
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Is shared church leadership a growing trend — or just a passing experiment? In this episode of the Leading Smart podcast, Holly Tate and Tim Stevens dive into the rising movement of co-lead pastor models they're seeing across churches of all sizes.
They unpack why this is happening now (generational shifts + leadership scandals), what these models actually look like in practice (2 pastors, 3 pastors, even 7!), and the key principles that determine whether shared leadership thrives or falls apart.
In this episode:
- Why millennials and Gen Z leaders are gravitating toward co-leadership
- Real examples: Village Church, New Spring, First Baptist Orlando
- The pros and cons of shared vs. single senior pastor models
- How to define lanes, handle conflict, and protect trust over time
- What happens when one co-leader exits — and why you need a plan NOW
- The difference between agreement and alignment (and why it matters)
Whether your church is exploring a co-lead model, already in one, or just curious about where church leadership is heading — this conversation is for you.
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