Who gets to lead when the founder is still in the room? For David and Jonathan Shibley, that question came with another relationship to protect: father and son.

On Life After Ministry, I talk with them about the succession at Global Advance and the choices that helped it work.

Jonathan served for ten years before becoming president, giving the board time to observe him and ministry partners time to know him. David continued serving while publicly supporting Jonathan's leadership.

We also discuss the pressure of comparison, the weight of becoming responsible for other people's livelihoods, and what their wives experienced along the way.

For a board preparing its own leadership handoff, this conversation gives an honest look at the preparation and personal care that a healthy succession requires.

Key Takeaways

• Give the board time to assess readiness. Jonathan's last name came with expectations. Years of service gave the board an opportunity to observe his work before appointing him president.
• Prepare people for the relationship as well as the announcement. Staff and ministry partners had opportunities to see David and Jonathan work together before the presidency changed hands.
• Give the successor room to lead differently. David affirmed Jonathan publicly and kept their disagreements between them, helping people understand whose leadership to follow.
• Ask what the family will carry. Travel demands and conversations at home affected their wives differently. Each family needed room to name what worked for them.
• Plan for meaningful life after the role. The board and Jonathan addressed David and Naomi's financial future, and David continued serving through writing and other ministry work.

Chapter Markers

00:00 A father-son succession worth learning from
01:21 How the possibility of succession began
06:22 Serving without a promised title
08:38 The three envelopes story
11:13 Preparing stakeholders and releasing authority
16:31 Giving a successor opportunities to learn
19:08 Following a father everyone knows
21:06 The weight of becoming president
27:07 Holding a ministry and an identity with humility
31:17 What their wives and families carried
36:10 When the founder remains involved
38:56 Meaningful ministry after the presidency
44:07 The work of Global Advance

Global Advance:
https://globaladvance.org/

Global Advance podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/global-advance-podcasts/id6445826567

Ministry Transitions:
https://ministrytransitions.com/

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The church has a plan for who’s preaching next Sunday. Who’s checking on the pastor’s family on Monday?

For episode 100, our team at Ministry Transitions - Bill Tom, Matt Davis, Noe Rivera, and Ron Henry - talk about what has surprised us, what still breaks our hearts, and why we keep hearing, “I wish we’d found you sooner.”

Today, we get to talk with people who are asking “What now?” and “What’s next?” We also help the boards and leaders making hard decisions that will affect a family long after the announcement is over.

We talk about caring for spouses and kids, the humility to ask for help, and the moments when somebody begins to see a future again.

After 100 episodes, we believe more strongly than ever that the church should know how to say goodbye without destroying people.

Key Takeaways

• A leader’s transition affects their spouse, children, and the wider community. Care for the family needs to be part of the plan.
• Boards need clear responsibilities and preparation before a difficult decision puts those gaps on display.
• Humility and coachability give leaders room to receive help and consider what comes next.
• Losing a ministry role can shake your identity. Relationships, meaningful work, and simple moments of joy can help you see beyond that loss.
• Old wounds deserve care, too. You can ask for help even when the transition happened years ago.

Chapter Markers

00:00 – The hole jumper and why we started
10:34 – What surprised us about this work
22:34 – Humility, hope, and life beyond a role
30:08 – What boards and families need during transition
43:34 – Hard goodbyes, old wounds, and a way forward

Resources

Facing a transition or helping someone through one? Visit ministrytransitions.com to start a confidential conversation.

To help provide care for a ministry leader who can’t afford it or lacks support, visit the website to make a donation.

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Why is it so hard to let go of a ministry you love before something forces the decision?

Robin Fuller knows firsthand. After more than 23 years in pregnancy center ministry, she burned out and heard that only about 10 percent of ministry leaders finish well.

She decided to be part of that 10 percent. Robin lifted the mantle off her shoulders in front of her board and walked through a four-year succession plan that started with a simple "Things I Do" document.

Matt and Robin talk about why founders struggle most, how a poverty mindset keeps leaders in the seat too long, and why outgoing leaders need to step away for at least six months. Robin also shares her new book, Finish Well: Succession Planning for the Ministry You Love.

1. Succession starts long before you leave. Robin spent four years working with her board so the ministry could continue without a blip.

2. Write down what you actually do. A simple "Things I Do" list shows what to release, what to delegate, and what the next leader will need.

3. Know what will be missing when you are gone. Robin knew finances were not her gift, so she looked for a successor who was strong where she was not.

4. Pay and plan for your people. Fair pay and retirement planning keep leaders from staying too long just because they cannot afford to leave.

5. Give your successor room. Robin now encourages every outgoing leader to stay away for at least six months and to hand pride back to the Lord.

00:00 - Why Letting Go Is So Hard

Robin's story, burnout, and why only about 10 percent of ministry leaders finish well.

06:58 - The "Things I Do" Document

The simple list that showed Robin what to release and how to restructure her role.

12:10 - Why Leaders Stay Too Long

Founders, the poverty mindset, and building a healthy compensation philosophy.

20:19 - Stepping Away Well

The six-month rule, keeping staff through the handoff, and wrestling with pride.

27:30 - Finish Well: The Book

Twelve practical steps for ministry leaders and boards, plus Robin's masterminds.

If you are navigating a ministry transition, visit Ministry Transitions to explore resources or start a confidential conversation.

Get Robin Fuller's book Finish Well: Succession Planning for the Ministry You Love and learn about her coaching and succession planning mastermind groups at robinfuller.coach. The book is also available on Amazon.

Connect with Robin on Facebook and LinkedIn.

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