Leadership transition can be hard in any setting, whether it be in the context of ministry, corporate or community leadership. Yet in the midst of the trial and complications of transition, we know that a transition where Jesus is highlighted can become smooth and guided.
One interesting thing about leadership is the idea that it was never meant to be permanent. Any company, business, church, ministry or any other organisation, in order to grow, will go through a season of leadership transition as God allows for new leadership to rise. If we want our organisations and movements to last longer than us, we need to keep in mind leadership transitions.
And when it comes to facing transition and becoming the next leader in line, nothing could be harder for an up and coming leader to replace the previous leadership especially if the latter was promising and effective. Here are some tips to succeeding previous leadership.
Find courage in God
Joshua faced the same dilemma when he succeeded the great leader that was Moses. However, God promises Him in Joshua 1:5, "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you," and then commands him over and over again to be courageous in this.
When faced with leadership transition, God calls us to put our courage in knowing that it is His leadership ultimately that guides us and that we are simply to be instruments for Him. Every organisation is God-lead and when we allow God to take control, we will see greater success than if we did things on our own.
Stop trying to be version 2.0 of the previous leader
Often, transitioning leaders will try to follow in the footsteps of previous leadership. While we try to learn and grow with the foundation laid by previous leaders, we must never hide under their shadows. God is a respecter of the unique personalities and strengths of different people, and the reason why God calls you in this season to lead is because He needs your talents and expertise at this time.
Imagine what would happen if David hid under the shadow of Saul, trying to be like Him. I believe God would not have been glorified because God wanted a David at that season, not a Saul. God needs you in this season to lead, not the previous leader. That's why He allows transition.
Highlight Jesus as the head
It can never be over-stressed enough to say that in any leadership transition, the head of everything remains the same. In Matthew 28:18, Jesus said, "...All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." In any organisation, complete authority belongs to Christ and we are to keep it that way.
While we replace a person who used to fill our current positions, we never replace Jesus Christ as being the centre of all work and advancement. When we seek Jesus in all we do and place Him at the centre, we will see Him move in the midst of challenges of leadership transition.
