Tom Dale Mullins - Passing the Leadership Baton: A Winning Transition Plan for Your Ministry

PRAISE FOR
PASSING THE LEADERSHIP BATON

Transition is inevitable. Why not be prepared? Having assisted Lakewood Church in navigating the transition in leadership from my father to my brother Joel, I can assure you the wisdom found in this book is invaluable. Passing the Leadership Baton by Tom Mullins is a clear, concise, practical guide to doing so. I think Passing the Leadership Baton should be mandatory reading for anyone in church leadership.

PAUL OSTEEN MD, Associate Pastor, Lakewood Church, Houston, TX

This book on planning for transition by Tom Mullins is a must read for leaders. Tom has been there and done it to perfection. Its about detailed planning, insight, judgment, and listening to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Thanks, Tom, for this great contribution to all leaders at all stages of their tenureplanning for the expected and the unexpected. This is a gem that will stay fresh and relevant for generations to come.

JIM BLANCHARD, Chairman, Synovus Financial Corp.

Tom Mullins is one of the most compassionate, gifted pastor/leaders I have known in my fifty years of ministry. He has been blessed with supernatural success in every area of outreach while pastoring Christ Fellowship in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Tom recognizes divine enabling in the lives of other leaders he observes. He always wants Gods best for them and the people they serve. Whenever we are together it seems he focuses more interest on our ministry than he does his own. This is one major reason he has been so effective.

Because he cares so deeply for others, he has frequently observed the difficulties faced in transitioning from one church leader to the next. God has given him wisdom churches desperately need as they seek to hand off the baton without adversely affecting their mission. This book is an important tool for church leaders to help equip them for effective leadership transitions due to health issues, relocation, or retirement. If we fail to plan, we plan to fail.

JAMES ROBISON, Founder and President, Life Outreach International

Whether its our family, business, or ministry, we all long to leave a legacy. Tom Mullinss book, Passing the Leadership Baton, is essential reading for all of us who dream about building something that will outlive us.

PHIL TUTTLE, President, Walk Thru the Bible

Transition may be the ultimate litmus test of a leaders skill and heart. Tom Mullins is someone who is running the race and has successfully handed off the baton... which seems to be rare in the world of ministry. This book will help EVERY leader leave well and effectively pave the way for their successor. Tom collects great wisdom and learnings from others who have walked the road of transition... but most important, he shares honestly about his own personal journey with transition and provides tons of practical coaching. Save yourself and the people around you a lot of PAIN... read this book!!

LANCE WITT, Founder of Replenish Ministries

Tom Mullins has built one of the great influential churches in America, and he understands local churches from the inside and outside. He has successfully passed the leadership baton to his son Todd, and the work continues to go forward. Any church that is contemplating passing the leadership baton should study this book carefully because Tom Mullins is giving them mature wisdom.

ELMER TOWNS, Cofounder, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA

Coach Tom Mullins tackles one of the greatest challenges facing the Church today. In a time of unprecedented change, churches, educational institutions, and ministries will either fail or succeed in those moments when leadership transition is needed. As leaders of a global ministry based in South Florida, we have not been casual observers of what has happened at Christ Fellowship as Tom and the leadership passed the reins to Todd. Having seen several megachurches and ministries implode during their transitions, we prayed that this passing of the baton would be what those who knew Tom and Todd were believing for.

What a joy to see that Christ Fellowship has not only survived but thrived since the transition. This stimulating read provides not an aspirational theory, but a practical and proven framework for leadership transition. For years publishers, leaders, and donors have asked us to write a book on how we transitioned the leadership of OneHope. Im happy to announce that we will never have to write that book because Tom Mullins has written this manifesto for all of us.

BOB and ROB HOSKINS, Founder and CEO of OneHope

Tom and Todd Mullins are modeling what is happening at this moment: Elijah is passing the torch to Elisha. Having been through this process myself three years ago, I can tell you that the way in which the Mullinses have handled it has been exemplary. Having trouble finding your Elisha? Having trouble becoming Barnabas after the transition? This is the book to not only answer your questions but to inspire you about the joys, challenges, and legacy of transition.

LARRY STOCKSTILL, Pastor Emeritus, Bethany Church, Baton Rouge, LA

Ive read plenty of books that talk about finishing well, but leading isnt just about reaching our own personal finish line. Part of leading is preparing our organizations and churches to flourish long after we are gone. Letting go is hard, but we have a responsibility to plan for the transition to the next generation, and Toms book can help us in that process.

GREG SURRATT, Senior Pastor Seacoast Church, and Author of Ir-Rev-Rend

Tom Mullins is such an inspiration. His ability to motivate, lead, and challenge is grounded in his integrity and serves as a standard for all of us. Now Dr. Mullins offers field-tested, pastoral counsel for those in the vulnerable and often turbulent season of transition. Reading Passing the Leadership Baton and implementing its counsel can help you navigate around years of regret.

JONATHAN SHIBLEY, President, Global Advance; and DAVID SHIBLEY, Founder and World Representative, Global Advance

Tom has mastered the elements necessary to successfully transfer the mantle of leadership from one generation to the next, which must be the goal of every leader. The insights he shares in Passing the Leadership Baton make the difference in every healthy transition, and Ive personally seen these principles implemented at Christ Fellowship. Every leader needs this book.

DAVID BARTON, Founder and President, WallBuilders

My friend Tom Mullins hits the nail on the head in his book, Passing the Leadership Baton. His strategic mind teaches others what he has spent a lifetime learning. Once again, he serves as a coach to help leaders effectively transition out of one role and posture the organization to succeed going forward! This is a practical guide to creating a legacy of greatness!

BISHOP DALE C. BRONNER, DMin, author of Passing the Baton, and Founder/Senior Pastor, Word of Faith Cathedral, Atlanta, GA

Whether you are leading a ministry or running a corporation, Toms principles in Passing the Leadership Baton are going to help you make leadership transitions at the right time and with the right perspective. Its a must read for any executive.

ED BASTIAN, President, Delta Air Lines

We cant think of a better pair to discuss the transition of leadership from one generation to another than Tom and Todd Mullins. We have watched with interest as they have planned, prepared, and successfully transitioned leadership in what appeared to be a seamless exchange of the leadership baton. Their thoughtful preparation and execution is something that we want to learn from and apply in our own transition exchange. The book and their lives are a relational model for all to follow. All we can say is thank you, Tom and Todd!