Every church will eventually experience a pastoral transition. Whether that transition is planned, unexpected, or part of a larger strategic decision, churches are healthier when pastors and board leaders prepare before a transition becomes urgent.

The Converge Great Lakes Pastoral Succession Cohort is designed to help lead pastors and church board leaders approach succession with clarity, confidence, and faithful stewardship. Through separate learning tracks, practical planning tools, and a final joint coaching session, each participating church will begin developing a succession framework that fits its unique ministry context.

And as the church faces the challenge of succession, the pastor experiences this phase of ministry on a deeply personal level. As part of the pastoral track, we will also be exploring topics related to the pastor and their family such as change of status, financial well-being, and lifestyle changes.

This cohort is open to every Converge Great Lakes church.

• The lead or senior pastor
• A board chair, elder, or primary board leader

Additional board members or elders from the same church may participate at no additional cost.

Throughout the cohort, participants will:

• Understand the differences between planned, unplanned, and strategic succession
• Explore the three primary areas of a healthy succession plan: leadership continuity, governance clarity, and communication and care
• Clarify the distinct responsibilities of the pastor and the church board
• Identify organizational, relational, emotional, and governance risks
• Develop an Emergency Succession Plan
• Prepare succession documents for board review
• Begin creating a church-specific succession framework and policy
• Build greater clarity and readiness for future leadership transitions
• Evaluate personal retirement readiness, including financial planning and emotional preparedness.
• Explore practices for a healthy transition into a new season of life.

Succession planning is not about abandoning your church or choosing an immediate retirement date. It is about caring for the church, preparing future leaders, strengthening governance, and stewarding leadership faithfully.

All regular cohort sessions will be held by Zoom.

Third Tuesday of the month
12:00–1:00 p.m. Central Time

September 2026 through March 2027, with no session in December.

Third Tuesday of the month
6:30–7:30 p.m. Central Time

October 2026 through March 2027, with no session in December.

In March 2027, each participating church’s pastor and board leader will take part in a joint coaching session. This may be held by Zoom or in person.

Additional follow-up with individual churches may also be available upon request.

This cohort is especially valuable for:

• Lead or senior pastors who want to prepare their church for a healthy future transition
• Pastors who anticipate a leadership transition within the coming years
• Churches that do not currently have an emergency pastoral succession plan
• Board chairs, elders, and church leaders responsible for governance and pastoral care
• Churches that want greater clarity around leadership continuity and transition planning
• Churches currently navigating an interim or transitional season

You do not need to have a retirement date or active transition plan to participate. The best time to begin succession planning is before your church is facing an urgent leadership change.