Ensuring Success: Vital Questions for Onboarding New Church Leaders
Building a Strong Leadership Foundation from Day One
Successful pastoral succession begins with asking the right questions to discern both the the current leaders future and the roles necessary for a strong future leader’s fit. And they are also a crucial piece of on-boarding the next leader.
My colleague Dave Travis and I believe that smart succession leads to maximizing ministry momentum. But one of the greatest momentum killers is an ineffective, or worse, non existent onboarding process. It’s that last push across the goal line and it is crucial. We coach boards and staffs and out-going senior pastors on how to build an effective onboarding process that is multi-faceted. These are all designed to provide the new leader with as thorough and clear understanding of the current reality as possible.
But on-boarding also involves the preparation of the new leader with ways to build strong foundations for moving forward from day one.
In my recent Senior Pastor’s Finishing Well Cohort, mentor Steve Stroope, shared one of the tools that his successor, Josh Howerton, used as he entered leadership at Lake Pointe. This last week I reached out to Josh to learn more and following is a list of some of the questions that he asked of staff, elders and members of the congregation during his first 90 days.
1. What Project, If Successful, Would Lead to the Growth and Flourishing of the Church?
Identifying the key projects that can significantly impact the church's growth is paramount. Ask your congregation and church leaders:
This question helps pinpoint the initiatives that hold the most potential for spiritual and community success, allowing you to allocate resources and attention accordingly.
2. What Failed Project Could Lead to Slowed Momentum of the Church?
Understanding potential pitfalls is as important as recognizing opportunities. Inquire:
This question helps you identify critical vulnerabilities and areas where risk management needs to be prioritized to protect the church's progress and future growth.
3. What Current Member of the Team Would You Want to Lead the Successful Project?
To ensure the success of key projects, you need to know who your best people are. Ask:
This question helps you identify strong leaders within the congregation who can drive important initiatives to fruition, fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment.
4. What 5 People on the Team, If Bought In, Will Result in the Buy-In of the Rest of the Congregation?
Influence is a powerful tool in leadership. Determine who the key influencers are by asking:
Knowing these individuals can help you achieve broader congregational buy-in more effectively, facilitating smoother transitions and initiatives.
5. What Is the One Thing That Most Needs to Be Fixed?
Identifying the most pressing issue can guide your initial focus. Ask:
This question helps you prioritize and address the most significant challenges early on, demonstrating your commitment to immediate and impactful change.
6. What Is the Greatest Strength of the Church?
Understanding the church's strengths is crucial for leveraging them effectively. Inquire:
This question highlights what the church does best, which can be a foundation for spiritual growth, community outreach, and strategic planning.
7. Who Is the Most Fun to Work With?
Team morale is essential for a productive and joyful church environment. Ask:
This question helps you identify the individuals who contribute positively to the church culture and can be instrumental in fostering a welcoming and positive atmosphere.
8. What Is Your Biggest Fear About Me Being the Senior Pastor?
Transparency and addressing concerns head-on build trust. Inquire:
This question opens up a dialogue about potential apprehensions and allows you to address them proactively, building confidence in your leadership.
9. Using the STARS Framework from Michael Watkins' "The First 90 Days," What Stage Would You Use to Describe Our Church?
Michael Watkins' STARS framework categorizes organizations into five stages: Start-up, Turnaround, Accelerated Growth, Realignment, and Sustaining Success. Ask:
Understanding the church's stage can help tailor your pastoral approach and strategies to fit the specific context and needs, ensuring your leadership is relevant and effective.
Leadwell Cohorts
Are you seeking a community of peers to navigate church leadership and life with? Consider applying for one of my Leadwell Cohorts. We offer specialized groups for Next Gen Senior Pastors, Executive Pastors, and Senior Pastors Finishing Well. While our spring groups are full, fall cohorts are now forming.
Note: Cohorts are by invitation only. If you're interested, contact me ASAP at greg@ligongroup.com or schedule a call here.
Pastor Smart Succession
I’m excited to partner with Dave to bring the Pastor Smart Succession process to support you and your church as you enter the succession zone. We’ll walk with you each step of the way, helping you shape a “framed fit” for your future.
If you’re beginning to consider what’s next, I’d love to connect, learn more about your needs, and share how we can assist. You can schedule a call here.