JEFF AND BETH JONES PRESENT
"SUCCESSION INTENSIVE"
A VIRTUAL MENTORING EXPERIENCE
MARCH - MAY 2025
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PASTORAL SUCCESSION IS INEVITABLE.
Succession is inevitable. Did you know that over 450,000 pastors will be retiring in the next ten years? The big question is how many of those churches will move into a successful future because they've prepared for their inevitable baton pass? Whether you've been the Founding Pastor, a Senior or Lead Pastor, one day you will pass the baton.
It doesn't matter whether your succession is a few years away or a decade away, it's never too early to develop your plan for a successful transition and the future success of the church you have poured your heart and soul into.
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WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN OUR 2025 VIRTUAL SUCCESSION INTENSIVE.
Hello, we are Jeff and Beth Jones. You may or may not know our story, but together as a husband/wife Senior Pastor team we founded and pastored Valley Family Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan for 32 years. We started with 5 adults and 4 kids and through the years (with the normal ups and downs of church life), it grew into a mega-church with multiple services and thousands of members in a mid-sized city.
At the same time, we raised 4 kids who are now married and starting their own families and serving in various areas of ministry and/or business.
In 2022, we successfully passed the baton to our Successors, our son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Alexa Jones, and by God's grace the church is thriving and growing. Through wise planning and being led by the Spirit, we are now loving this post-succession season of success for the church and satisfaction for us!
But, you need to know, pastoring and succession hasn't all been peaches and cream, we've had some bumps along the way and we'd love to share that with you, too -- (the good, bad and ugly.) We want to take what we've experienced to help you write your own successful, succession roadmap!
LEARN MORE ABOUT JEFF AND BETH
Jesus said, "...I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it." Matthew 16:18
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THIS IS FOR FOUNDING, SENIOR OR LEAD PASTORS.
If you anticipate that you'll be passing the baton of leadership to your Successor sometime in the next 2-5 years this Intensive is for you!
Succession starts with the Leader (and often in collaboration with your Board, Elders, Staff), so it's essential to have your heart and head wrapped around all the dynamics that go with the biggest transition your church will experience -- the who, what, when, why and how of succession.
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WE WILL HELP YOU WRITE YOUR OWN ROADMAP FOR A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION.
Succession takes time and wise planning. At a minimum, it will take 2 years to prepare for and complete a successful transition from one Lead Pastor to a new Lead Pastor -- and it's even better to give yourself 3-10 years to lay the groundwork. That's why we want to help you get started now!
We will cover these types of topics to help you write your own succession roadmap for a successful transition.
The Who, What, When, Why and How of Succession
- 12 things to look for in your Successor -- the negotiable's and non-negotiable's.
- 3 key communication pathways that are essential.
- 4 critical phases of a successful transition.
- 2 important church services to plan for now.
- 5 ways to prepare for the security of your financial future.
- 3 ways to prepare your own spirit, soul and body for succession.
- And a whole lot more! Keep scrolling for more details.
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WHAT ARE OTHER PASTORS SAYING ABOUT THE SUCCESSION INTENSIVE?
The Pastors who participated in our first Succession Intensive were equipped to write their own roadmap as they prepare for succession, whether two years or ten years from now.
Here's What Other Pastors Have Said ...
"I was privileged to have been able to go through the succession intensive with Beth and Jeff Jones and I want to encourage you, it's never too early to prepare for what it looks like to pass on the pastoral responsibilities to the next generation. This was an amazing opportunity for my wife and I to learn and glean wisdom for the next season of our lives. We loved the practicality of being able to do it over Zoom and then being able to come together in Kalamazoo to meet the other folks and hear each other's stories was really special." - Pastor D and W, Florida
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"We have always respected Jeff and Beth, and we thought, if anyone's going to do this, they will do it right. They gave us a step-by-step plan that we will use and prayerfully make our own. It was so great to learn from those who were in a very similar season to ours -- and especially learning all the little details that we wouldn't have thought of. That was really, really helpful.
We loved the two parts of the process -- the virtual Zoom training really helped us to see the roadmap and the in-person wrap up in Kalamazoo at Valley Family Church was really, really fun because we actually got to meet the people we had been in the virtual intensive with. We made some great friendships along the way and we've learned from each and every one of them.
We would highly recommend the Succession Intensive for any pastor who knows they will be passing the baton -- whether it's two years out, five years out or six years out." - Pastors J and C, Ohio
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"We've ministered and pastored our church for almost 30 years now, and we knew a change was coming. We felt it in our spirit, but we really had no idea what the succession process looked like. We found out about Jeff and Beth's Succession Intensive, how they had transitioned their church successfully, and how they were offering to share what they had learned with the rest of us -- so, we took full advantage of it and we've enjoyed every minute. It's brought us such peace as we take the next steps in our journey and look forward to the future God has for us. We highly recommend this Intensive." - Pastor M and D, Florida
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OUR VIRTUAL MENTORING FORMAT IS DESIGNED FOR BUSY PASTORS.
We understand that pastors live busy lives -- we lived your life for 32 years and our foot was on the gas pedal the entire time! That's why we created the Succession Intensive format in a way that could accommodate your schedule, yet give you personal, practical and proven tools for a successful transition when the time comes.
Our 3-Month Succession Intensive Format:
- Begins March 2025.
- We start with your personal succession assessment.
- We meet 6 times (twice monthly) for Group Zoom mentoring.
- We meet once a month via 1:1 Zoom mentoring with each participant/couple.
- We offer you unlimited text/phone access to both of us.
- We provide you with monthly worksheets you can personalize.
- We guide you to create your own succession roadmap.
- We host an optional 2-day in-person gathering to enjoy a time of fellowship, meeting with our Successors, and time to work together on your succession roadmap.
QUESTIONS? CLICK FOR FAQS & SCHEDULE
"
At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.
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Ephesians 1:23, AMPC
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"BEFORE" SUCCESSION.
We talk about these critical topics that must be addressed well "before" you pass the baton.
- When and how do you know it is time for succession?
- What books would help you prepare for succession?
- How do you discern your Successor?
- When do discuss and make announcements with your family, board, staff and congregation about the transition and succession?
- What is the "Residency Phase" and why is it important?
- What is the "Interim Phase" and when does it occur?
- What is the "Changeover Phase" and why is it important?
- What financial preparations should be made now for the churches future?
- What role should the church Board play in the succession process?
- How can you navigate the various relational dynamics with your family, staff, leaders and congregation.
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"DURING" SUCCESSION.
We answer and discuss these kinds of "during" succession questions:
- How long does the succession process take?
- What are the biggest challenges you will face in transition?
- What role role/responsibility should your Successor have during the transition months?
- What is the Order of Service for both the official Legacy Service and the Change of Command Baton Pass services?
- Did you lose or gain church members in the transition?
- What wins have you seen as a result of the transition?
- In what ways did your Successor honor you and the church's history during the baton passing season?
- In what ways did you honor your Successor and the church's future so the congregation would welcome them with open arms?
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"AFTER" SUCCESSION.
We discuss these "after" succession dynamics:
- How to provide ongoing mentoring to your Successors.
- Determining your new role as Founding Pastor.
- Should you continue to attend your church after succession?
- How do you and your successor continue to show honor to the past and the future?
- What has been the hardest part of the succession process?
- What has been the best part of the succession?
- What life as "active-retired" pastor look like?
- Are you still on the Board, involved in ministry at the church you founded or ministry elsewhere?
- Have you found new purpose in this season?
- Do you have any regrets about transitioning?
- What would you do differently?
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SPOTS ARE LIMITED.
After pioneering and pastoring our church for three decades, we are passionate about sharing the roadmap we implemented for our successful succession to help more churches transition well as they pass the baton.
In order to give everyone a quality experience in the Succession Intensive, we are limiting the number of pastors -- so please don't miss out on this exclusive opportunity.
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THE COST.
Cost: $2999 per person (spouses are included at no charge)
Cost is a funny word.
Sometimes, when it comes to the price of something, people ask, "Is it worth it?" Can we suggest a few different questions? How about, "Are you worth it?" "Is the future of your church worth it?"
Perhaps the best way to think about cost is by asking another question: "What will it cost you and your church if you are not mentored in how to have a successful succession?"
