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

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