Leadership Transition
Biblical Survey
In Genesis part of humanity's creation mandate is one of dominion and stewardship "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule..."[1]In other words God has given humankind a position of leadership in his creation. So at a foundational level we are part of the succession of leaders that are and will be responsible for the earth.
Cultural Shift
Contemporary sociologists have popularly described the sense that each 'generation' has a specific personality and DNA. This has led to groups being described as busters, boomers, generation x and millennials. Graham Cray, Principle of Ridley Hall Cambridge has coined the phrase 'cultural shift' to describe a paradigm shift in culture that is more acute and rare than generational shift. One of the 'cultural shifts' that the bible records is that experienced by Israel, when they were exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon[2].
It is my observation that there are four possible outcomes for leadership transition in this context. Each of these scenarios can be applied at the micro level of a local church or ministry or at a macro level to a denomination or movement.
Generational Stoppage
The first scenario for the next generation is stoppage, which is defined as the 'act of stopping or state of being stopped'. Generational stoppage takes place when there is a stoppage in the transition to the next generation
Generational Schism
A second option for the future is that of schism which is defined as 'a breach in the unity of a church'. Generational schism becomes the situation when there is a breach in the unity of the transition from generation to generation.
Generational Stereotypy
The third scenario is stereotypy, which is defined as 'the repetition of senseless movements'. Generational stereotypy is where there is a transition of leadership from generation to generation but in order to continue a movement for continuance sake.
Generational Succession
The fourth and ideal scenario is succession, which is defined as 'a coming after or following'. Therefore generational succession is where there is a transition of leadership between two effective generations.
Models of succession vary on a range from the institutional to the relational. The institutional that provide a set beaurocratic process for electing or selecting a successor, and the relational, which relies on the natural emergence of a suitable successor.
We need to be faithful to God by preparing for succession which requires a new perspective in our thinking which transcends what we can see immediately in the future. It requires established leaders passing on opportunity and wisdom but also recognising that what they have learnt isn’t always what will be needed in passing on the mantle. It is a risky business to allow the next generation of leaders to take over, but if it does not happen the consequences are terminal.
[1] Genesis 1:26
[2] Daniel
This is a shortened version of Matt's article. To read the the complete article click here
Written by Matt Bird
