Preparing Successors

In one of my last posts, I introduced the idea of “shadow pastors.” These are senior leaders in the background (shadows) who are developing younger leaders privately as they begin to lead out publicly. They pastor or shepherd leaders by giving training on the front end and feedback, correction, and encouragement on the back end.

Consider how Jesus prepared his disciples in his three years of ministry.

First, he cast vision. Jesus shared his big picture of the Kingdom of God at the beginning of his ministry (Matthew 5-7).

Second, he modeled ministry for his disciples. Jesus demonstrated the Kingdom of God to his disciples before sending them out (Matthew 8-9).

Third, he taught and mentored the disciples. Sometimes that included confronting the disciples over their lack of faith or processing Peter’s confession (see Matthew 16).

Fourth, Jesus provided opportunities and challenges for his disciples’ to further develop. Consider how Jesus remained silent when a Gentile asked for mercy on her daughter; he gave his disciples an opportunity to respond after teaching them earlier that Gentiles were accepted in the Kingdom (Matthew 15:21-28). The earlier argument (vs. 1-20)— “What comes out of the heart makes a person unclean rather than certain foods” —was basis for accepting Gentiles into the Kingdom.

Fifth, he delegated. Jesus sent out the twelve disciples and seventy disciples with his authority (Matthew 10, Luke 9-10).

Sixth, he gave feedback. Jesus helped the disciples prioritize their joy after they returned from ministering (Luke 10:18-20) and helped them understand that their lack of faith prevented them from driving out a demon (Matthew 17:19-21).

Seventh, Jesus helped his disciples develop their own succession plan. In the Great Commission, he was very specific about “all nations” and making disciples (by teaching and baptizing, and obeying all his commands). His promise that he would always be with them (Matthew 28:18-20) was also for the ones they would empower to carry on their work. In Acts 1:8, Jesus stated that they would be witnesses in Jerusalem (local witness), Judea (nearby areas), Samaria (cross-cultural focus), and to the ends of the earth (global expansion). This mission would only be fulfilled if they also followed Jesus’ succession plan.

[Next week we will help you think through some practical steps for your own succession plan.]