The effect of leadership succession planning on the stability of Evangelical Churches in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Abstract

Contemporary church leaders shoulder the responsibility of being visionary and fostering a culture that promotes the stability of Churches. However, the instability witnessed in many churches has brought forth numerous challenges, notably stemming from leadership tumult, which adversely impacts the affected congregations. The negligence of leadership succession and transition processes within churches is a significant contributor to this instability. This paper delves into establishing the effect of leadership succession planning on the stability of Evangelical churches in Nairobi County, Kenya. Drawing from 60 churches, 360 church leaders were sampled from whom data was collected using a questionnaire. The strategic leadership theory was used to explain how succession planning facilitates the establishment of strong connections between leaders and their followers, ensuring a smooth transfer of leadership responsibilities and ultimately enhance the stability of evangelical churches. The study reveals that among the succession models examined, including mentoring, (M=3.96, SD=0.716), talent management (M=3.83, SD=0.770), employee retention (M=3.78, SD=0.931), and career development, (M=3.72, SD=0.764) mentoring emerges as a predominantly adopted approach by leaders in Evangelical Churches in Nairobi County. Moreover, the findings indicate that succession planning contributes significantly to church stability, accounting for over 18% of the overall stability. Consequently, the study recommends the integration of leadership and management practices through a holistic approach encompassing mentoring, talent management, career development, and employee retention strategies, complemented by tailored training programs to enhance church stability.