Strategic Succession Planning for Churches
Every Church Is One Generation Away from Extinction
Don't let decades of faithful ministry end without a plan. ChurchSuccession.co gives you the framework, tools, and expert guidance to navigate your church's most critical transition.
The Crisis
A Leadership Crisis Is Unfolding
Most churches are unprepared for their most important transition. The data reveals a growing urgency that can no longer be ignored.
When succession fails, the consequences are devastating: congregational conflict, membership decline, church splits, loss of mission continuity, and years of rebuilding. The question isn't whether your church will face a transition — it's whether you'll be ready when it comes.
Our Process
A Clear Path Forward
Every successful succession follows the same three phases. We guide you through each one with proven frameworks and hands-on support.
Assess
Evaluate your church's readiness, leadership pipeline, timeline, and organizational health. Understand exactly where you stand.
Plan
Build a customized succession roadmap with clear milestones, timelines, and communication strategies for every stakeholder.
Execute
Implement the transition with proven tools, templates, and expert support. Navigate the change with confidence and clarity.
Who We Serve
Built for Leaders Navigating Change
Whether you're the one transitioning or the one leading through it, we have the tools and guidance you need.
Senior Pastors
Approaching retirement or sensing a new season? Start planning your transition now to protect your legacy and empower your successor.
Church Boards & Elders
Navigating a leadership transition is among the most consequential decisions a board will ever make. Get the frameworks to lead it well.
Denominations & Networks
Managing transitions across multiple churches requires a systematic approach. Scale succession planning across your entire network.
Resources
Tools for Every Stage
From free readiness assessments to comprehensive planning toolkits, find the resources that match where you are in your succession journey.
Succession Readiness Checklist
A 20-point assessment to evaluate how prepared your church is for a leadership transition. Identify gaps before they become crises.
PDF Download5 Warning Signs Your Church Isn't Ready
Recognize the early indicators that your succession planning needs attention — before it's too late to act.
GuideComplete Succession Planning Toolkit
The comprehensive framework: timeline templates, communication plans, candidate assessment tools, board presentation decks, and implementation checklists.
ToolkitBoard Communication Template Pack
Ready-to-use templates for every board conversation during a succession process. Letters, agendas, and presentation frameworks.
Template PackAbout the Founder
Meet Russ Olmon
Founder, ChurchSuccession.co
With more than 40 years in church leadership, pastor coaching, and succession planning, Russ Olmon has guided over 1,000 churches through their most critical transitions across the United States, Canada, and Australia.
As Founding President of Ministry Advantage (est. 1998), Russ built a 501(c)(3) dedicated to equipping pastors and churches worldwide. He served as Campus Pastor at Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall, Texas — a congregation of 15,000+ in weekend attendance — where he led multi-campus strategy, oversaw three satellite campuses with 3,000+ combined attendance, managed $17M in land and facilities, and led a team of 30+ staff.
Earlier in his ministry, Russ spent 13 years as Founding and Senior Pastor of a church in the Dallas, Texas area. He also founded Church Solutions, Inc., providing low-cost capital funds development and staff assessment training.
Education: Dallas Theological Seminary (Theology) · Dallas Baptist University (Organizational Leadership) · Liberty University (B.S. Theology)
"Every church deserves a succession plan that honors the past and equips the future. The mission is too important to leave to chance."
Get the Free Succession Readiness Checklist
Take the first step toward a well-planned transition. This 20-point assessment helps you identify gaps and build confidence — delivered straight to your inbox.