A Word to the Wise: Why Great Leaders Know When to Pass the Baton (Jim Sheppard)
There’s a point in every leader’s life when the bravest move isn’t charging forward—it’s stepping aside.
Not because the mission has changed.
Not because you’ve run out of vision.
But because the role you’ve played needs to evolve - for the sake of the mission, and for the good of the people carrying it forward.
Most leaders don’t like talking about succession. Especially in ministry, the line between “calling” and “identity” can get blurry. We don’t just do the work - we carry it. And after years of pouring our hearts into something, the idea of handing it off feels… unthinkable.
But here’s the truth:
Healthy succession isn’t a threat to great leadership. It’s the evidence of it.
1. Succession Isn’t an Exit Strategy. It’s a Leadership Discipline.
Waiting until you're “ready” to leave is too late. Great leaders think succession early and often. Not because they’re planning their escape, but because they’re building something that lasts. If you're not intentionally raising up future leaders, you're not leading - you're just managing a moment.
2. Your Successor Shouldn’t Be a Clone.
If the next leader has to imitate you to succeed, you didn’t raise up a leader - you trained a mimic. True succession means continuity of mission, not personality. Make room for the new leader to lead in their own voice. And cheer them on, publicly and privately.
3. Trust Is the Bridge—Not the Plan.
You can have the best succession strategy in the world, but if trust isn’t present, it’ll collapse. Your people need to see that you trust your successor. That trust becomes the currency the team trades in during the transition. No trust? No chance.
4. You’ll Feel Things. That’s Okay.
Succession can stir up all kinds of emotion - grief, pride, joy, fear, even a bit of envy. That’s part of the process. Let yourself feel it. Celebrate what’s been. Honor what’s changing. And thank God for what’s next.
Jim Sheppard, 6.25.25, Church Leader Insider, Why Great Leaders Know When to Pass the Baton
There’s a point in every leader’s life when the bravest move isn’t charging forward—it’s stepping aside.
Not because the mission has changed.
Not because you’ve run out of vision.
But because the role you’ve played needs to evolve - for the sake of the mission, and for the good of the people carrying it forward.
Most leaders don’t like talking about succession. Especially in ministry, the line between “calling” and “identity” can get blurry. We don’t just do the work - we carry it. And after years of pouring our hearts into something, the idea of handing it off feels… unthinkable.
But here’s the truth:
Healthy succession isn’t a threat to great leadership. It’s the evidence of it.
1. Succession Isn’t an Exit Strategy. It’s a Leadership Discipline.
Waiting until you're “ready” to leave is too late. Great leaders think succession early and often. Not because they’re planning their escape, but because they’re building something that lasts. If you're not intentionally raising up future leaders, you're not leading - you're just managing a moment.
2. Your Successor Shouldn’t Be a Clone.
If the next leader has to imitate you to succeed, you didn’t raise up a leader - you trained a mimic. True succession means continuity of mission, not personality. Make room for the new leader to lead in their own voice. And cheer them on, publicly and privately.
3. Trust Is the Bridge—Not the Plan.
You can have the best succession strategy in the world, but if trust isn’t present, it’ll collapse. Your people need to see that you trust your successor. That trust becomes the currency the team trades in during the transition. No trust? No chance.
4. You’ll Feel Things. That’s Okay.
Succession can stir up all kinds of emotion - grief, pride, joy, fear, even a bit of envy. That’s part of the process. Let yourself feel it. Celebrate what’s been. Honor what’s changing. And thank God for what’s next.
Jim Sheppard, 6.25.25, Church Leader Insider, Why Great Leaders Know When to Pass the Baton
Here are Four Things to Know this Week:
Thank you for reading. Please share it with pastors and other AMSs you believe would benefit.
To the praise of His glory,
Ray
P. S. I also host the “SBCAL Podcast with Ray Gentry” where ever you get your podcasts.
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Thank you for reading. Please share it with pastors and other AMSs you believe would benefit.
To the praise of His glory,
Ray
P. S. I also host the “SBCAL Podcast with Ray Gentry” where ever you get your podcasts.
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