The Elephant in the Boardroom (eBook)

THE AUTHORS CAROLYN WEESE is executive director of Multi-Staff Ministries, a consulting group based in Goodyear, Arizona, serving hundreds of churches from many denominations in thirty-six states. She has twenty years experience helping congregations with leadership development, succession planning, and other human relation issues. J. RUSSELL CRABTREE is executive director of Holy Cow! Consulting in Columbus, Ohio, a company that offers organizational development services for religious, government, and nonprofit organizations.

List of Exhibits xiii

Preface xv

Acknowledgments xvii

Introduction 1

Part One: The Principles, Cost, and Players in Health-Based Transition 11

1 Principles of Transition, Jesus Style 13

2 Counting the Cost 29

3 The Five Key Players in a Healthy Transition 41

Part Two: The Four Church Cultures: Family, Icon, Archival, and Replication 55

4 One Church, Four Variations 57

5 Transition Strategies for Leaders in a Family Culture 69

6 Transition Strategies for Leaders in an Icon Culture 85

7 Transition Strategies for Leaders in an Archival Culture 99

8 Transition Strategies for Leaders in a Replication Culture 115

Part Three: Components of a Transition Plan 127

9 Strategic Planning and the Search Process 129

10 The Asset-Preserving Ministry 145

11 A Capability-and-Maturity Model for Churches 159

12 Pastoral Transitions in Low-Performing Churches 177

13 A Plan for Responding to the Crisis of Sudden Transitions 187

14 Getting Started on a Plan for Your Church 195

Appendix: The Church Planning Questionnaire 201

The Authors 209

About Leadership Network 211

Index 213

"Carolyn Weese 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

"This is an invaluable book for pastors, lay leaders, and
members about how to handle pastoral transition with sensitivity,
creativity, and excellence. It not only preserves the church, but
enables it to grow and grasp the full potential of the future. This
book utilizes profound biblical principles and the finest modern
management strategy. I highly recommend this practical and profound
book filled with insights and wisdom."

--Dr. Lloyd John Ogilvie, president, Dunamis Christian Ministries,
Inc., Hollywood, California

"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

"This practical book should be in the hands of every
pastor and board chair. It provides the right answer to one of the
most neglected areas of church life today--effective
leadership transition in the local church."

--Dr. William O. (Bill) Crews, chancellor, Golden Gate Baptist
Theological Seminary, Mill Valley, California

"Choosing a CEO is probably the most important thing a
corporate board does. The church is no different. This book helps
elevate the priority and process of properly choosing a new senior
pastor. All congregations would benefit from this
book."

--Terry Looper, chairman and CEO, Texon Holding, Houston, Texas

"Practical advice for a critical problem. The
authors' explanation of strategic planning and organizational
culture is worth the price of the book."

--Rev. Gary DeLashmutt, lead pastor, Xenos Christian Fellowship,
Columbus, Ohio

"Crabtree and Weese expose the huge costs and avoidable
causes of poor pastoral transitions. They offer a wise strategy to
prepare for the inevitable leadership changes every church will
face."

--Dr. George K. Brushaber, president, Bethel College and Seminary,
St. Paul, Minnesota