It is my experience and observation of associational leadership transitions that it is usually best if the Associational Leader announces his retirement plans well in advance (3-6 months or more).
Here are some reasons I believe this is helpful for the association and for the Kingdom:
Here are some reasons I believe this is helpful for the association and for the Kingdom:
1. It allows the association to elect, train, and equip a Search Team in a timely manner without having to feel rushed to fill an opening.
2. It allows the Search Team time to pray, research, receive resumes, do their due diligence, and present a candidate before the current DOM leaves - or shortly after he retires - so there is a minimal gap between Associational Leaders.
3. With no gap or a minimal one, pastors and churches usually continue their giving and participation patterns as they have always done.
4. It gives better continuity of leadership to the ministries of the association.
5. It allows the current Associational Leader time to prepare the association for the next Leader, and perhaps to meet with and provide some on-the-job training for the new Leader.
6. If the Associational Leader resigns/retires without much notice, there is usually a six-twelve month gap between Leaders, which is usually detrimental to the association because church leaders reevaluate their giving and participation without the relationship aspect of the “face” of the association that they have known for many years.
A possible exception to this recommendation would be if the association called a good Transitional Associational Leader to come in immediately upon the retirement/resignation of the current Associational Leader, who would lead well between the former Leader and the new one.
Those are my thoughts, what are yours?
To the praise of His glory,
Ray
Pr. 3:5-6
Quotable Quote: The best way to strengthen churches is to develop stronger leaders. Jim Breeden, Executive Director, St. Louis Metro Association, speaking to Atlanta Area DOMs on Church Strengthening, 11.29.17
2. It allows the Search Team time to pray, research, receive resumes, do their due diligence, and present a candidate before the current DOM leaves - or shortly after he retires - so there is a minimal gap between Associational Leaders.
3. With no gap or a minimal one, pastors and churches usually continue their giving and participation patterns as they have always done.
4. It gives better continuity of leadership to the ministries of the association.
5. It allows the current Associational Leader time to prepare the association for the next Leader, and perhaps to meet with and provide some on-the-job training for the new Leader.
6. If the Associational Leader resigns/retires without much notice, there is usually a six-twelve month gap between Leaders, which is usually detrimental to the association because church leaders reevaluate their giving and participation without the relationship aspect of the “face” of the association that they have known for many years.
A possible exception to this recommendation would be if the association called a good Transitional Associational Leader to come in immediately upon the retirement/resignation of the current Associational Leader, who would lead well between the former Leader and the new one.
Those are my thoughts, what are yours?
To the praise of His glory,
Ray
Pr. 3:5-6
Quotable Quote: The best way to strengthen churches is to develop stronger leaders. Jim Breeden, Executive Director, St. Louis Metro Association, speaking to Atlanta Area DOMs on Church Strengthening, 11.29.17
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