Transition Problems

The key to sustaining a movement is succession. There were no pulpit committees needed in the early Biblical days because they understood development and training.

I am getting ready to transition from my current church; The Well. We have seen God do great things since we have been here. I would LOVE to stay here forever. God prompted me and confirmed through my presbyters that I am to raise up our associate pastor. We have other issues with my mom's health that is working in this situation too. (see video on facebook)

Many times transition is ugly, messy and has an element of death.
Transition doesn't go well and maybe never happens when:
1. The Leader Seeks Comfort and Security.
-Some leaders are more concerned in being comfortable rather than the calling of God. The paycheck is the voice instead of God's voice.

2. They are Insecure.
-Development will NEVER happen if you are scared the guy under you is going to replace you. They should!!!!
Your plan should be to develop and set someone up for success under you. Give them the spotlight. Believe in them.

3. Their Identity is Consumed by the Brand/Organization.
-I am a brand "king." I love to develop a brand and "own" it. Most leaders don't know how to separate their identity from who they are. They ask, "What would I do if I wasn't here?" They lose their identity with the thing they have built.

4. They Care too Much What Others Think.
-I am not advocating to not care what people think. That is bad. You can become arrogant and live life "proverbially flicking the world off." But do what is calling you to do and let people have opinions. The best way to handle the "Eliab's" is to say this, "I am sorry you feel this way. I trust when the time comes for you that you will attempt to follow God like I am trying to. Please pray for me."

We are building our organizations and ministries for ourselves, but rather for the next generation. Will your ministry outlive you?

The Greatest Flaw of Most Leaders

And in the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished in all its details and according to all its plans. So he was seven years in building it. (1 Kings 6:38 NKJV)

My point is, "Building anything worthwhile and sustainable takes time."

Most leaders who go into a ministry or organization and expect to see amazing things happen greatly underestimate this principle. Time is the one element that has to be in the equation of a solid ministry.

Over time most leaders feel defeated because they feel things should be happening faster. That is where my biggest source of discouragement comes. Don't lose that element, because that is what makes you a leader. The key is to continue to march toward the destination of your goals on a daily basis. Do something daily moves you toward your goals. This is where you can manage your drive and respect the "time" factor it takes in a vision.

With any project or ministry you walk I to, you have to say to yourself, "This will take much more TIME than I planned and will be much HARDER than I imagined, but the end goal will be WORTH it all."