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WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN OUR 2025 VIRTUAL SUCCESSION INTENSIVE. 

Hello! We’re Jeff and Beth Jones, and whether you know our story or not, we’d love to share it with you. As a husband-and-wife Senior Pastor team, we founded and pastored Valley Family Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan, for 32 wonderful years. What started with just 5 adults and 4 kids grew—through God’s grace, perseverance, and plenty of ups and downs—into a thriving mega-church with multiple services and thousands of members.

Along the way, we also raised 4 kids, who are now married, starting their own families, and serving in ministry and business.

In 2023, the Lord led us to experience one of the biggest transitions of our lives—we successfully passed the baton to our successors, our son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Alexa Jones. By God’s grace, the church is thriving and growing, and we are loving this post-succession season! This has been a journey of faith, wisdom, and divine timing.

But let’s be real—pastoral ministry and succession isn’t always easy. It hasn’t been all peaches and cream! We’ve had our share of challenges, and we want to share the full story—the good, the tough, and the unexpected—with you.

That’s why we’re inviting you to join us for our 2025 Virtual Succession Intensive. We want to help you navigate your own succession journey with wisdom, faith, and a roadmap that sets both you and your church up for long-term success.

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LET'S CREATE YOUR ROADMAP FOR A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION.

Succession isn’t just a decision—it’s a journey. And like any journey, it takes time, wisdom, and intentional planning.

A strong, successful transition from one Lead Pastor to the next doesn’t happen overnight. At a minimum, you’ll need at least 2 years to prepare and implement a healthy transition, but ideally, giving yourself 3-10 years allows for a smoother process. That’s why now is the time to start!

We’re here to walk alongside you as you create your own Succession Roadmap—one that sets up both your church and your future for lasting success.

In this Intensive, we'll dive into:

•  The Who, What, When, Why & How of Succession
•  12 non-negotiable qualities to look for in your Successor
•  3 essential communication pathways 
•  4 critical phases of a healthy transition
•  2 pivotal church services you need to plan for now
•  5 strategies for securing your financial future
• 3 ways to prepare your spirit, soul, and body for succession

…and so much more!

Let’s start building a roadmap that will bring peace, clarity, and confidence to your transition. Keep scrolling for all the details!

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"BEFORE" SUCCESSION. 

What every leaders needs to know. There are some critical conversations that need to happen well before you ever pass the baton. Preparing for succession isn’t just about the moment of transition—it’s about making intentional decisions in advance to ensure a smooth and Spirit-led process.

Here are the key questions we’ll walk through together:

• How do you know when it’s time for succession?
• What books and resources can help you prepare?
• How do you discern who your Successor should be?
• When and how should you announce succession to your family, board, staff, and congregation?
• What is the “Residency Phase” and why does it matter?
• When does the “Interim Phase” take place, and what role does it serve?
• What happens during the “Changeover Phase,” and why is it so important?
• What financial steps should you take now to secure the church’s future?
• What role should the church Board play in the succession process?
• How do you navigate the relational dynamics with your family, staff, leaders, and congregation?

Succession is more than just a leadership change—it’s a legacy shift. Taking the right steps now will set up both you and your church for lasting success. Let’s make sure you’re ready!

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"AFTER" SUCCESSION.

Embracing the next season! Succession doesn’t end when the baton is passed—it’s the beginning of a new season for both you and your church. Navigating the “after” succession dynamics with wisdom and grace is key to ensuring a healthy transition for everyone involved.

Here are some of the real-life questions we’ll explore together:

• How can you provide ongoing mentoring to your Successors?
• How do you define your new role as Founding (or Former) Pastor?
• Should you continue attending your church after succession?
• How do you and your Successor honor the past while moving into the future?
• What has been the hardest part of the succession process?
• What has been the best part of the transition?
• What does life as an “active-retired” pastor look like?
• Are you still on the Board, involved in ministry at your church, or serving elsewhere?
• Have you discovered new purpose in this season?
• Do you have any regrets about transitioning?
• If you could do it over again, what would you do differently?

Your next season is just as important as the one you’re leaving. Let’s talk about how to navigate it with clarity, joy, and purpose!

11.

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THE COST.

The investment is $2,999 per person (spouses included at no charge). When considering the price of something, people often ask, "Is it worth it?" But let us suggest a different question:

• 💡 "Are you worth it?"
• 💡 "Is the future of your church worth it?"

Perhaps the best way to think about cost is to ask:

• 👉 "What will it cost you and your church if you are not mentored in how to have a successful succession?"

This isn’t just an investment in a program—it’s an investment in you, your legacy, and the future of your church. Let’s make sure you’re prepared for the road ahead!