Claim OwnershipThe LeadingSmart Podcast
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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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24 Episodes
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In the inaugural episode of the LeadingSmart podcast, co-hosts Holly Tate and Tim Stevens delve into the crucial topic of pastoral succession. They discuss the importance of being prepared for both planned and emergency successions, especially as many baby boomer pastors approach retirement. The episode touches on common misconceptions about succession planning, the emotional and identity challenges pastors face during transitions, and offers insights into the best timing for these conversati...
Honest conversations. Practical insights. Smarter leadership. It's official! The LeadingSmart Podcast is finally here! 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 leadersh...
Welcome to Episode 2 of the LeadingSmart podcast! If you've ever wondered about the right time to talk about pastoral succession, this episode is for you. We unpack key talking points and share insights to help you identify when it's time to take your next steps. This season is all about pastoral succession, and in this episode, we break down the right time to start those crucial conversations using seven key indicators to help assess your church’s current situation. Whether it's a plateauing...
In this deeply personal episode, Tim and Holly talk about the emotional and vulnerable side of pastoral succession that often goes unspoken. We get real about what senior pastors—especially founding pastors—actually face when they start thinking about stepping down. Here's what we cover: The Identity Crisis: Why pastors who've led for 20-30+ years struggle with questions like "Is this my last Easter?" after leading 37 consecutive holiday services. The Two Biggest Fears: How identity confusion...
Tim and Holly get real about one of the messiest parts of church leadership: navigating succession with your board. They share stories from the trenches about what makes succession healthy (and what doesn't) and how to actually have those tough conversations. 🔑 What Tim and Holly cover: Why trust has to come first (and what to do when it doesn't exist)Who really gets to make the succession call - and how to get on the same pageThe "goalpost problem" - why pastors keep changing their minds abo...
Welcome back to The LeadingSmart Podcast! In this episode of LeadingSmart, hosts Tim Stevens and Holly Tate tackle one of the most critical questions in pastoral succession: Should you promote from within or look externally? When that promising teaching pastor or student ministry leader seems like the perfect fit, is it really an opportunity—or are you walking into a landmine? Tim and Holly break down the real challenges churches face when considering internal candidates for senior pastor rol...
Welcome back to The LeadingSmart Podcast! Your hosts Tim and Holly tackle the topic that most people tend to avoid. Nobody wants to talk about church finances, but ignoring them during succession is a recipe for disaster. 🔑 What Tim and Holly cover: The three critical financial areas that can make or break your successionWhy pastors stay too long (hint: it's often about money, not ministry)How to close the financial gap when your founding pastor isn't retirement-readyThe sticker shock of payi...
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 mistake...
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 (spo...
Join hosts Tim and Holly on the LeadingSmart podcast as they dive deep into one of the most critical aspects of pastoral succession: creating the perfect senior pastor profile. In this essential episode, discover why having a written profile is non-negotiable for successful church leadership transitions. Key Topics Covered: • Why every church needs a detailed senior pastor profile before starting their search • The four primary leadership styles: Preacher, Leader, Shepherd, and Sy...
In the final episode of Season 1, Holly and Tim wrap up the series on pastoral succession by tackling a topic that’s often overlooked—but critical: staffing and structure in a new season of leadership. Whether you're an executive pastor, board member, or senior leader, this episode will help you think clearly and strategically about what your team should look like after a new senior pastor steps in. From aligning your structure with the new leader’s strengths to preserving a healthy culture ...
Welcome to Season 2 of LeadingSmart! In this special premiere episode, we're switching gears from pastoral succession to something deeply personal - Tim Stevens shares his 40-year ministry journey and the lessons he wishes he'd known starting out. What this episiode will cover: ✅ Tim's unconventional path from 18-year-old gap year to ministry leader ✅ 9 years with Life Action Ministries (including how he met his wife!) ✅ 20 transformative years at Granger Community Church ✅ Building teams at...
Welcome back to The LeadingSmart Podcast! 🎙️ In this episode, Tim Stevens and Holly Tate dive deep into one of the most crucial aspects of ministry leadership: longevity and playing the long game. After 40 years in ministry (with 20 of those at one church!), Tim shares hard-won wisdom about what it really means to build for lasting impact rather than burning out trying to "win the quarter." What This Episode Covers ✅ The beautiful benefits of long-term ministry relationships ✅ How to recogni...
Welcome back to Episode 2 of The LeadingSmart Podcast! Tim's wife, Faith shares the raw reality of 35 years of marriage while serving in ministry. From their first meeting at Bible camp to navigating four major life transitions, they reveal the struggles and victories that shaped their relationship. Key Topics Covered: • How they met and the "knight in shining armor" rejection story • Why their move to Granger Community Church was their hardest transition • The brutal ...
Welcome back to Episode 4 on The LeadingSmart Podcast, Tim Stevens (founder of LeadingSmart) and Holly Tate dive deep into what might be the most crucial leadership responsibility: building the right team. After 40+ years in ministry leadership and consulting on thousands of teams, Tim reveals why getting this wrong costs organizations massive time, energy, and mission impact. The Harsh Reality: One wrong hire can consume 80% of your leadership energy, stealing focus from your highest-capacit...
Join Tim Stevens, founder of LeadingSmart, and Holly Tate in this powerful episode about navigating the toughest seasons of leadership. If you've ever felt stuck in middle management, wondered how to gain influence without authority, or questioned whether your leadership efforts are making a difference - this episode is for you. Tim's raw honesty about leadership failures and the long journey of rebuilding will encourage any leader in a difficult season. What You'll Learn: How to lead authent...
This episode of The LeadingSmart Podcast is one of my favorites yet—because I get to sit down with all four of my kids. We talk about the good, the bad, and the funny moments of growing up in a pastor’s home—from staff parties in the backyard to the challenges of living life in the spotlight. You’ll hear their honest reflections on faith, family, and what it was like to be raised in ministry. Whether you’re raising kids while leading in the church, or you’re just curious about what happens ...
Welcome to The LeadingSmart Podcast Episode 7: Why Systems Can Be the Most Pastoral Part of Leadership Most leaders think of systems as boring—but what if they’re actually one of the most pastoral things you can create? In this episode, Tim and Holly unpack why church systems, staffing strategies, and budgeting processes aren’t just logistics—they’re acts of leadership care. Drawing from 40 years of experience as an executive pastor, Tim shares practical lessons on hiring, mission and vision ...
What causes great leaders to fade—and how can you avoid it? In this episode of the LeadingSmart Podcast, Tim Stevens unpacks 40 Lessons in 40 Years of ministry and leadership, focusing on why leaders lose influence and how to stay strong by investing in the next generation. 7 practical ways to invest in younger leaders: Give them a voice at the tableGive them room to try (and fail)Speak words of belief into themLend them your credibilityInvest in their developmentMentor them intentionallyLear...
What happens when church boards don’t adapt as the church grows? Frustration, stalled momentum, and pastors ready to walk away. In this episode, Tim Stevens and Holly Tate talk about one of the most overlooked but critical topics in church leadership: board governance. Based on Tim’s 40 Lessons in 40 Years, they break down seven shifts every board needs to consider—from moving beyond doing the work themselves to actually overseeing it, to shifting from protecting relationships to protecting t...
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