Three Patterns of Church Leadership Succession

When we talk about church leadership succession, we can find patterns of it in the Bible. Rev Dr Chia Beng Hock dives into the Bible and shares his revelations.

Leadership succession is inevitable. Succession takes place when a leader is stricken by severe illness, or decides to retire, or feels that God is leading him to another ministry, or in the worst case, a leader’s untimely death. William and Warren stressed the fact that “Every pastor is an interim pastor.”¹ They added, “Actually, that phase could be adapted to every leader: Every CEO is an interim CEO, every college president is an interim college president, and every denomination leader is an interim as well. Whatever hat you wear, it’s probably true for you as well.”²

Therefore, succession is not a topic that leaders should avoid but a reality to work on—the sooner the better! To keep within the length of this article, we will look at three biblical patterns of leadership succession.

Taking over the leadership role from the Apostle Paul was obviously “too big a shoe” for Timothy. Paul wrote two epistles to instruct, encourage and affirm his almost reluctant successor.

1. Home Grown Succession
   
   When Moses knew that his time was up, he prayed to God for a successor, ³ “O Lord, you are the God who gives breath to all creatures. Please appoint a new man as leader for the community. Give them someone who will guide them wherever they go and will lead them into battle, so the community of the Lord will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” ⁴
   
   The Lord chose Joshua the son of Nun to succeed him. He was appointed in the presence of the Eleazar the priest and the congregation of the people.⁵ Joshua was a much younger man in his eighties. He had journeyed with Moses and the congregation since they left Egypt.
   
   Although he was not chosen among the 70 elders, he was a leader representing the tribe of Ephraim, and he was better known as “the servant of Moses.”⁶ He was with Moses at Sinai, in the tent of meeting and he led Israel to victory in the battle against the Amalek. He succeeded Moses after his death at 120 years old.⁷ Taking over from Moses was definitely an uphill task, God promised that He would be with him and give him success, but he needed to be “strong and courageous” and be careful to observe the Law.⁸ He led Israel successfully into the promised land, he was no longer known as “the servant of Moses” but “the servant of the Lord, died at 110 years old.”⁹
   
   In the Book of Acts, there was a young man Timothy who traveled with Apostle Paul and his team in their missionary journey to Europe. Paul spent three years in Ephesus, and although he had appointed elders¹⁰, he eventually left his leadership role to Timothy.¹¹ Taking over the leadership role from the Apostle Paul was obviously “too big a shoe” for Timothy. Paul wrote two epistles to instruct, encourage and affirm his almost reluctant successor. According to the Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, Timothy served as the Bishop of Ephesus, and he was martyred in AD 97.
   
   
2. Father-Son Succession
   
   David prepared his son Solomon to succeed him, but a conspiracy attempt by his brother Adonijah to hijack the throne was unsuccessful, and Solomon was anointed as King after the death of his father David.¹² In fact, Judah continued to enjoy “Father-Son Succession” because God promised David, “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.”¹³ On the other hand, Saul the first king of Israel insisted that his son Jonathan should succeed him, but his choice was not God’s choice. He fought hard to keep his throne but failed tragically.
   
   David was a man after God’s own heart, and Solomon also loved the Lord, followed David’s footsteps, and sought after God for wisdom to rule well.¹⁴
   
   When Rev Billy Graham was called home to the Lord, his son, Franklin succeeded him in 2018. Franklin was already serving as the President of Samaritan’s Purse. He wrote in his book, Rebel With A Cause, “Just being the son of Billy Graham won’t get me into heaven.”¹⁵ He knew his commitment to the Lord and wanted to do more for Him.
   
   
3. Grafted Succession
   
   This is like a horticulturist selecting a desired plant and grafting it into another plant. When the Church in Jerusalem heard that the Church in Antioch needed a pastor, they sent Barnabas. When the Church in Antioch began to grow, he went to Tarsus to look for Saul (later called Paul).¹⁶ They served together in Antioch until the Lord called them to preach beyond Antioch. Thus, the Church of Antioch grew beyond its shore.¹⁷
   
   In the Old Testament, God did not choose a student from the school of prophets to succeed Elijah but led him to a farmer named Elisha, who eventually succeeded him as the superintendent of the school.¹⁸
   
   Sometimes, it is not that the church does not have capable people to take up or succeed the senior leadership, but it is about seeking God for the right person. Competence in senior leadership is more than ability to provide good caregiving and operating a ministry. Moses asked for someone like a shepherd to provide leadership, give guidance, and know how to protect the congregation from enemies.
   
   In the last five years, we have seen these three common patterns in leadership succession among the Assemblies of God churches. Just to name a few Home-grown successions: Trinity Christian Centre, The Living Word Fellowship, Emmanuel Assembly, Elim Church, and Bethel Assembly. There are at least two Father-Son Successions: Centre of New Life and New Destiny Fellowship International. Grafted Succession: Calvary Assembly, Grace Assembly, Maranatha Assembly and Sembawang Assembly. Thank the Lord that they are doing well.
   

Sometimes, it is not that the church does not have capable people to take up or succeed the senior leadership, but it is about seeking God for the right person.

Rev Dr Chia Beng Hock is Pastor Emeritus of Bethel Assembly of God and Chairman of Bethel Community Services. He also serves as the Treasurer of The Alliance of The Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches of Singapore (APCCS), Executive Committee Member of the Assemblies of God (AG) of Singapore, President of Teen Challenge Singapore, Board Member of Tung Ling Bible School and Bible Society of Singapore, Treasurer of Global Leadership Summit Singapore, and Vice Chairman of Harmony Circle (MacPherson). He holds a Doctor of Ministry and Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Asia Pacific Theological Seminary and a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Theology (Ministry) from the University of Wales. He is happily married to his wife, May since 1977 with two adult sons.