I am cross posting with David Drury today.

The pulpit at Mars Hill Church is once again open. This got me thinking about the advantages and disadvantages of replacing an effective and popular leader.

Following an Ineffective Leader
Being the next person after an ineffective leader is no cake walk. While one has the advantage of “not being that other guy,” and probably in a position where things cannot get any worse, the disadvantage is that there is probably a mess to clean up.

Following a Popular Leader
The person coming after the leader who popular, loved, has been long-term, etc. will probably have to live with comparisons, at least for a while. I often wonder if the first successor is actually the sacrificial lamb. If the new person cannot establish their own identity and style, they probably will not last.

Following an Effective Leader
I think coming in after an effective leader should be the best situation. An effective leader should have been preparing people for transition. Hopefully, enough of the people will see the move as a way to continue to move forward to greater things. Moses to Joshua. Saul to David to Solomon. There will still be comparisons, but in this situation people should be looking forward instead of backward. Joshua did not have to be Moses, nor did anyone expect him to be since they really needed a different type of leader to take the Promised Land, but I think his heart for God and faith was in the same vein as Moses.