The Elephant in the Boardroom: Speaking the Unspoken about Pastoral Transitions

By Carolyn Weese and J. Russell Crabtree

Book Overview

Carolyn Weese and J. Russell Crabtree--experts in the field of church leadership--have written a nuts-and-bolts guide to developing a succession plan for smoothing pastoral transitions. Filled with strategies and solid advice, this handy resource is based in solid research and the authors' many years of experience working with churches in a wide variety of denominations. Weese and Crabtree clearly show that leadership succession should be part of every church's planning process.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0787972576
• ISBN13: 9780787972578
• Release Date: August 2004
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Length: 220 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Book review Elephant in the Boardroom

I am on the leadership team for our church and we are preparing a succession plan for Sr Pastor and others. We found this book very informative and helpful. It provides a very detailed and thoughtful insight into Church staff, specifically Pastors. It helps organizations better understand the challenges, therefore avoiding the pitfalls when replacing pastors and others.

Excellent resource

The Elephant in the Boardroom is an excellent resource for initiating succession planning for any denomination. The outlines and summaries make quick reference a breeze. We are using it as our "textbook" for developing plans for both out Senior Pastor and our Executive Pastor and have already recommended it to another church. Encouraging and all encompasing. Paula J.

Very Helpful

I'm on an external transition team for a church in crisis. This book helped us distinguish helpful and unhelpful actions based on the culture of the congregation. It has also given the team a common language and reference point to move conversations productively down the road.

The Elephant in the Boardroom

Chapter after chapter I found relevant insights that I could apply to our Pastor transition. I recommend the book to all --- especially those not yet thinking of a transition. It will help you plan for a healthy transition.

Great help for church leaders

This book was very helpful in guiding our church leadership to begin thinking about pastoral transitions. I think it is written broadly enough to apply to many denominations and situations.