Comments on: Think Twice Before Succeeding a Legendary Leader

By: Scoggins

Scoggins — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

This is about Paula and Kara, isn’t it? ;)

By: Barry R Denison

Barry R Denison — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Excellent article about a often repeated problem in Christian Ministry.

By: Rick Wilson

Rick Wilson — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Great post Phil and very typical of real life in Christian circles.

So much of this has to do with how much time a leader has spent. It's almost impossible - no matter how good the successor is - to replace someone who has been there 20 years or more. There are too many layers of relational expectation and there is not enough time to overcome perceived obstacles that stem from things like operating style and personality.

I went to a church with the same leader for 25 years. His successor only lasted 4.

By: John

John — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

This isn’t just a problem in ministry. Just went through that on the outside, and had the same issues come up.

By: Brett Monk

Brett Monk — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Your post brings up the question... "How many organizations (especially ministries) really SHOULD continue after their founding leader moves on?"

I've seen groups flounder trying to replace the founder, when probably the better option might have been to close up shop and either spawn or support a fresh new movement that connects with the next generation.

By: Mike Yoakum

Mike Yoakum — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

good call, Brett. Many organizations struggle to maintain a sense of mission, or just lack the original dynamic etc. Look at Promise Keepers, plenty of others.

By: Mike Yoakum

Mike Yoakum — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The University of Alabama had a very long adjustment period after Bear Bryant’s death/departure. Everyone afterward struggled to fill his shoes.

By: Zach Pippin

Zach Pippin — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

A good reminder as well to the outgoing leaders. We must be ready to let go and move on. We can trust our ministries in God’s hands and those who He chooses to succeed us

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I think one of the big problems is that the group who picks the successor tries to find someone who is strong in the areas the last leader was weak. For example in the church setting the last leader wasn’t a good speaker or wasn’t outreach minded so they find someone good at these things. The problem is in looking at the weaknesses of the last leader they forget the things they loved about them. I think this I why we see a trend where the successor is many times the polar opposite of the leader they replaced.

By: Alonzo Duran

Alonzo Duran — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

As I have been taught, if the original body part (founding leader) is moving on for what ever reason, It is just as it is with body transplants: a big risk of rejection. Solution: good spiritual medication and matched DNA! Good comments and outlooks prior to mine.