A year ago, Ben Snyder got a surprise phone call from his boss, a well-known and loved megachurch pastor, who had just been diagnosed with a disease. Ben was asked to become the new lead pastor of a massive church. Surprisingly, it’s gone well for everyone. Listening to Ben will help you understand why.
Welcome to Episode 107 of the Podcast.
Guest Links: Ben Snyder
Links Mentioned
Contrarian Church Leadership, Proven but Surprising Leadership Strategies for the Church by Lee Powell
Choosing to Cheat: Who Wins When Family and Work Collide? by Andy Stanley
Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change by William Bridges
Takeaways from this Episode
Managing transition is about letting go of our past so we have an open hand for what God wants to put in our hand for the future. If Ben didn’t manage this transition well, his church couldn’t have experienced the best that’s yet to come. So, how do you help them transition the group as a whole, how do you navigate that middle period without people jettisoning, and how do you keep them moving well? Ben shares his candid and valuable insight.
- Have a plan to transition. The make or break point is how the lead pastor fosters the transition. The heavier load really rests on their shoulders. They can hijack the process or create a launch pad for future success. Lee was a champion for Ben. He gave Ben the authority to lead and didn’t micro-manage because he trusted that Ben could get the job done.
- Don’t despise humble beginnings. Never underestimate what God has for you today to prepare you for what’s next. Your smaller assignments may feel insignificant, but God is prepping you to handle the bigger picture.
- People are going to leave. Ben wasn’t prepared for the emotional toll it would take on him when people left, especially when they didn’t give a specific reason. He found that if you don’t process it, it’ll validate the insecurities that drive leaders off the rails. Have people who are safe to talk to and surround yourself with their wisdom and authority to speak into your life.
Quotes from this Episode
CNLP 107: Ben Snyder on The Surprise and Challenge of Becoming a Megachurch Pastor at Age 35 Click To Tweet
CNLP 107: Ben Snyder on The Surprise and Challenge of Becoming a Megachurch Pastor at Age 35 Click To Tweet
CNLP 107: Ben Snyder on The Surprise and Challenge of Becoming a Megachurch Pastor at Age 35 Click To Tweet
CNLP 107: Ben Snyder on The Surprise and Challenge of Becoming a Megachurch Pastor at Age 35 Click To Tweet
