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'All pastors are interim pastors'

By Adelle M. Banks, Religion News Service
Megachurch pastor Max Lucado at his San Antonio church. Photo via Thomas Nelson/RNS.
Sep 17, 2014
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When megachurch pastor Max Lucado greeted his successor at his San Antonio church, the two stood onstage and tried to put on each other’s shoes. They couldn’t.

The problem? Randy Frazee, Lucado’s successor, was six inches shorter.

The point, say co-authors William Vanderbloemen and Warren Bird in their new book about pastoral succession, came through loud and clear: No leader can stay forever. And none will be exactly like the one who came before.

For congregations that haven’t thought about who will succeed their current pastor, the authors of the new book “Next: Pastoral Succession That Works” have words of warning: Be prepared.

Churches may not know the day or the hour when they need to have an interim or permanent replacement for the senior pastor.

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Megachurch pastor Max Lucado at his San Antonio church. Photo via Thomas Nelson/RNS.
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