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What Makes (or Breaks) a Healthy Leadership Transition
Posted on: Tuesday April 15, 2025

📝 Free Church Culture Assessment: How is your church doing in these 6 core areas? https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/churchhealth

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After decades of leadership, I’ve walked through two major successions—first as Lead Pastor of New Life Fellowship Church, and now, as President of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship. In today’s episode, I pull back the curtain on what I’ve learned about leadership transitions—not from a textbook, but from the trenches.

Healthy transitions are rare. And they don’t happen by accident. They require deep inner work, Spirit-led discernment, and a long view that stretches beyond your lifetime. Whether you’re handing over a pulpit, a nonprofit, or a small group, the principles are the same.

In this conversation, I share seven lessons that make—or break—a leadership transition, why emotional maturity is non-negotiable, and how Jesus models the kind of surrender we’re all invited into. This isn’t just theory. This is about stewarding your life, your leadership, and your legacy—God’s way.

If you care about the future of your ministry, you need this episode.

Dig deeper by going through the book Emotionally Healthy Leader. Get the book and discussion guide here. This book was written to help you lead from a deep, inner life with God.

Archives:
Tuesday May 10, 2022

Last week on the podcast we covered a thorny topic – Church Scandals.

In today's episode, I tackle several questions that listeners sent me last week, and then we dive into part two of the key to addressing our church scandal crisis.

Tuesday May 03, 2022

Church scandals.

They seem to be more and more frequent in headline news. Each one has a dramatic effect on all of us. They are to be grieved but also carefully examined.

Please listen to today's episode, and if appropriate, share with others leaders who could benefit from this conversation.

Tuesday April 26, 2022

We must recover the ancient practice Sabbath. It's how we slow down our lives to delight in Jesus, and in doing so, anchor ourselves into eternity.
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On today's podcast, I share a message which is the second part of our podcast series on the Sabbath.

Tuesday April 19, 2022
When we enter into Sabbath we are able to work from our rest, not just rest from our work.

This is the theme we explore in today's podcast episode. Working from our rest allows our lives to become a sign and wonder pointing to the reality of Jesus.

Want to see how? Listen to the episode now.
Tuesday April 12, 2022

Becoming an emotionally healthy disciple is not just about self-discovery and self-improvement.

Ultimately, our discipleship MUST lead us to become spiritual mothers and fathers of the faith - helping those around us discover their God-given power and purpose.

In today's podcast, I share a message that invites us to become spiritual mothers and fathers in the faith.

Tuesday April 05, 2022

On today's podcast, I share a sermon that will help you grow as an emotionally healthy leader – prudent with your time, wealth, energy, and resources. Only with prudence are we able to become the kind of leaders who create and shape the future!

Tuesday March 29, 2022

Recently, I made a large, consequential decision over the period of 3 - 6 months. This discernment process required me to personally apply the principles of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship in a deep way.

In today's podcast episode, I will walk you through the specifics of this real-life decision, why it was complex, and five questions that guided me in this decision-making process.

Tuesday March 22, 2022

For the last 9 weeks, we've been exploring the core theology and practices of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality.

But now it's time to address your questions and challenges as you put it into practice. 

Tuesday March 15, 2022
Without a thoughful plan, we are left with only our best intentions. Today on the podcast I teach you how to develop a "Rule of Life" - an ancient practice that helps you build your life around the love of God. 

This podcast is part of a multi-week series in which we explore the seminal work from Emotionally Healthy SpiritualityIf you are a pastor, leader, or listener and you want to start the journey toward emotional and spiritual health, this series is a must-listen.
Tuesday March 08, 2022

In today's podcast episode I bring the last of a multi-week podcast series in which we explore the seminal work from Emotionally Healthy SpiritualityIf you are a pastor, leader, or listener and you want to start the journey toward emotional and spiritual health, this series is a must-listen.

If you missed the first episode on The Problem of Emotionally Unhealthy Spirituality, you can listen to it here.