Overview

One way or another, every church will eventually lose its pastor or minister, yet few congregations prepare for this dramatic event. The pastor's departure evokes a range of reactions and problems--sorrow and grief, uncertainty, loss of mission and momentum, power struggles--yet no one wants to talk about this elephant in the church boardroom. Carolyn Weese and J. Russell Crabtree--experts in the field of church leadership--have written a nuts-and-bolts guide to developing a succession plan for smooth pastoral transitions. Filled with strategies and solid advice, this handy resource is based in solid research and the authors' many years of experience working with churches in a wide variety of denominations. Weese and Crabtree clearly show that leadership succession should be part of every church's planning process. Using assessment tools and quizzes, the book walks church leaders through the process of identifying their particular church's culture type and creating a succession plan that will meet their congregation's needs.Firmly rooted in biblical principles and the best management thinking, The Elephant in the Boardroom puts the focus on health, asset building, and resiliency. Its many examples from real-life situations and solid explanations offer elders, deacons, board members, and other lay leaders a how-to manual for planning, preparing, and executing a leadership transition.

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9781506463414

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Reviews

"""Carolyn Weiss and Russ Crabtree have done churches a great service in breaking the curious silence about pastoral transition, perhaps the most serious threat to churches in the less institutionalized twenty-first century world. Here you will find the reality-based principles that lead to strategic succession."" --Bob Buford, founder and chairman, Leadership Network, Dallas, Texas, and author, Half-Time ""At last, qualified authorities in church leadership have taken on the question of transition in a thoughtful way. Crabtree and Weese have supplied a carefully reasoned approach to an event that so often causes major problems for churches--replacing their leader. This book is well written and badly needed."" --Rev. Dennis McCallum, lead pastor, Xenos Christian Fellowship, Columbus, Ohio ""All of the personal and professional hot button issues involved in a pastoral transition are addressed in this book. They don't just point out the pitfalls, they show us how to get out of them!"" --Dr. David G. McKechnie, pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas"

Carolyn Weiss and Russ Crabtree have done churches a great service in breaking the curious silence about pastoral transition, perhaps the most serious threat to churches in the less institutionalized twenty-first century world. Here you will find the reality-based principles that lead to strategic succession. --Bob Buford, founder and chairman, Leadership Network, Dallas, Texas, and author, Half-Time At last, qualified authorities in church leadership have taken on the question of transition in a thoughtful way. Crabtree and Weese have supplied a carefully reasoned approach to an event that so often causes major problems for churches--replacing their leader. This book is well written and badly needed. --Rev. Dennis McCallum, lead pastor, Xenos Christian Fellowship, Columbus, Ohio All of the personal and professional hot button issues involved in a pastoral transition are addressed in this book. They don't just point out the pitfalls, they show us how to get out of them! --Dr. David G. McKechnie, pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas

Author Information

Carolyn Weese has an extensive background in operational systems and know-how. She formed Multi-Staff Ministries in 1984 to help churches fulfill their vision more effectively, grow spiritually, and develop stronger leaders based on solid biblical principles and good business management practices. She is the author of Eagles in Tall Steeples: What Pastors and Congregations Wish They Knew about Each Other. J. Russell Crabtree has served in small, midsize, and large churches in New York and Ohio. His unique mix of gifts led him to working with churches, regional agencies, and nonprofit organizations to carry out strategic planning. He founded Holy Cow! Consulting in Columbus, Ohio, a company that offers organizational development services for religious, government, and nonprofit organizations. He is currently retired.

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