Next week, we launch Season 3 of The LeadingSmart Podcast: Leading in Real Time. This season is about staying sharp in today’s rapidly changing environment. We’ll dive into the practical issues leaders are facing right now—from running effective executive team meetings to navigating crucial conversations to leading in moments when the playbook doesn’t exist yet.

Have you ever asked yourself, “Who am I without the title?” When your identity is tied to your role as pastor, stepping away can feel like losing yourself. Here’s how to reclaim who you are—before the title is gone.

This year marks 40 years since I started full-time ministry. So for Season 2 of the LeadingSmart Podcast, Holly and I decided to take a look back. Not to reminisce (okay, maybe a little), but to reflect on the lessons I’ve picked up along the way—some the easy way, most the hard way. Tune in.

Succession doesn’t end with the handoff. In Episode 10 of the LeadingSmart Podcast, we explore how to restructure your team, support your new pastor, and protect staff culture after the transition—plus a sneak peek at what’s coming in Season 2.

Wondering if pastors or church staff should receive bonuses? After 40 years in ministry, here’s my take on church staff bonuses—what works, what doesn’t, and how to lead your team with fairness and wisdom.

Before you interview a single candidate, build the profile. In Episode 9 of the LeadingSmart Podcast, we explore why a clear Senior Pastor Profile is essential to a healthy succession—and how it helps your church stay aligned, objective, and mission-focused.

Who should be on your church’s transition team when it’s time for pastoral succession? And what should they actually do? Episode 8 of the LeadingSmart Podcast breaks down how to build the right team for a healthy pastoral succession.

Many churches spend months planning pastoral succession—but forget to plan how to communicate it. Episode 7 of the LeadingSmart Podcast reveals how to get it right: who to tell, when to tell them, and how to protect trust every step of the way.

Discover why finances are often the hidden key to a healthy pastoral succession. In episode 6 of The LeadingSmart Podcast, we explore how to prepare, fund, and lead through the financial side of transition. Get ready for your church and leadership to thrive financially.

Leadership is rewarding, but it’s also lonely. The higher you rise, the harder it becomes to find someone who can speak into your leadership with clarity, objectivity, and wisdom. That’s where a strategic advisor can make all the difference.

In Episode 5 of the Leading Smart Podcast, we discuss what to do when someone already on your team wants to throw their name in the hat. Whether it’s your teaching pastor, a beloved campus leader, or someone with long-standing ties to your church, the big question is this: Is an internal candidate a blessing—or a blind spot when it comes to pastoral succession?

In Episode 4 of the Leading Smart Podcast, we talk about something churches often overlook: the board’s role in a healthy pastoral succession. Because let’s face it, you can’t plan a smooth succession without a strong foundation of trust and clarity between the senior pastor and the board.

Hiring great people isn’t just about job descriptions and interview questions. It’s about discernment, relational investment, and telling the whole truth. Here are 3 critical phases to the interview process that will ensure every new hire is a good hire.

Most people know LeadingSmart for coaching, succession planning, and executive pastor gatherings—but few know about our highest level of support: Strategic Advising. Strategic Advising is a long-term partnership model where we embed in your leadership rhythms, join key meetings, and serve as trusted thought partners. It’s deeper than coaching or consulting—designed for the complexity senior church leaders face today. Learn more.

The emotional side of pastoral succession planning is often the most overlooked—and the most vulnerable. In this LeadingSmart Podcast episode, we share what we’ve seen pastors and families go through, and 3 ways to prepare for successful pastoral succession.

Discover seven key signs that your church should begin the conversation about pastoral succession. From staff turnover to passion shifts, this guide will help you discern the right timing. Tune into episode 2 of The LeadingSmart Podcast for more insight into answering the crucial question: "When is the right time to start talking about succession?"

Most churches don’t have a culture problem. They have a clarity problem. Team culture isn’t created by a clever slogan, an annual retreat, or a ping-pong table in the fellowship hall. It’s built through dozens of daily decisions, often unseen, but deeply felt. Here are 4 tips on how to build a culture that lasts.

Welcome to Episode 1 of The LeadingSmart Podcast. We're kicking off our inaugural season with a timely and critical topic: pastoral succession. Pastoral succession is often delayed or avoided. Discover why churches must plan ahead—and how to avoid four major myths that can derail healthy transitions.

Most succession plans fail not because churches don’t care, but because they wait too long to plan. One of the best ways to honor a leader's legacy is to ensure that the mission continues seamlessly long after they're gone. Here are 4 steps to a successful succession.

The Executive Pastor is the bridge between vision and execution. Get this hire wrong, and your team will flounder. But get it right, and your Lead Pastor can soar. And so can your church. Here’s your guide to hiring the right XP for your church.