Most church boards avoid succession planning until a crisis forces their hand, but Vanderbloemen, the nation's leading faith-based executive search and consulting firm, is working to change that by expanding its succession consulting services. With founder William Vanderbloemen at the helm, the firm aims to turn leadership transitions into a legacy-building strategy rather than a reactive scramble.
The urgency is clear: Lifeway Research shows the median pastoral tenure is just eight years, yet most churches have no structured plan when a transition occurs. This can disrupt continuity, strain staff culture, and leave congregations vulnerable during a critical season. Vanderbloemen, having completed over 4,100 executive searches in all 50 states and 11 countries, leverages its extensive data to offer a more informed approach.
At the core of their consulting is the NEXT framework, detailed in Vanderbloemen's book 'NEXT: Pastoral Succession That Works,' now used in seminaries nationwide. This seven-step process treats succession as a whole-organization event, guiding clients through readiness, planning, search, and post-placement coaching. Four service pillars support this: a Succession Readiness Assessment to evaluate financial, cultural, and leadership health; a tailored Succession Planning and Blueprint; Executive Search and Placement using a network of over 250,000 candidates; and Transition Coaching to ensure a smooth hand-off.
Vanderbloemen's philosophy is proactive: succession is a leadership discipline, not a crisis response. Waiting until a vacancy forces a rushed decision often costs more in money, culture, and mission. Their approach is distinct in that it doesn't just fill a role; it ensures the organization is prepared for sustainable growth. Whether planning a founder's retirement years ahead or responding to an unexpected departure, Vanderbloemen tailors its services to the situation. Churches and ministries can request a free consultation to begin the process.
The real question for any church is not whether succession planning matters—it does. The challenge is having the right partner to navigate it well, and Vanderbloemen positions itself as that partner.
