Finish Well: A Guide for Leadership Transition and Succession

“Because every pastor is a departing pastor, the day to begin thinking about a transition plan is the day the pastor arrives.” So writes Carolyn Weese in her seminal work, The Elephant in the Boardroom.”
“When I first read this statement many years ago, I was struck with what I and others have called an 'aha moment'. I said to myself that sounds right. But then I began to look at reality. Ninety nine percent of the time (my estimate) it doesn’t work this way.”
Transitions in life and ministry are inevitable. For the wise ministry leader, they should do everything possible to develop transitions not just for the senior leadership but throughout the organization, church or mission that not only are orderly in nature but God Glorying in effect.