Succession

His life’s work will be reduced to the gavel of an auctioneer.

A friend tells this story (specifics have been changed to protect the living). 

I spent an afternoon with Jake, a man who has made his career and his wealth by restoring antique furniture. I have known Jake for over 30 years, he is a Scandinavian master craftsman. Jake has achieved worldwide acclaim for his meticulous and professional restorations. A millionaire recently purchased one of his completed pieces of furniture for six figures. Jake’s clients come from around the world for his restorative talents. 

Jake is now 84 years old, has a shop filled with about a dozen of the finest furniture examples, perhaps 10 more in various states of restoration, and literally hundreds of perfectly organized parts bins. No one has his level of knowledge about this particular line of furniture. 

Jake works alone, and so I asked him about succession planning. When he hires someone, he told me, it slows him down to about half his normal pace of work; it takes that much of his time to make sure the work is done right. Jake is a man who loves God, he knows his eternal destiny and is secure in Christ, and is prepared for his final journey upwards.

However, his business will be another story; with no preparations, no turnover plan, no investment in future training, sadly all his expertise will be forever gone, and his life’s work likely reduced to the gavel of an auctioneer. 

Succession is on my mind ever since I heard my friend’s story. I do not want my work “reduced to the gavel of an auctioneer.” Financial and property planning has been in the works for some time at my house. My son and daughter will inherit a trust of all our earthly goods. Specifically, my son-in-law is a pastor and will inherit my library. My books and essays may be of some help to others in the future.

I know that my legacy is not what I leave behind, but who I leave behind (“Legacy” essay here). Our children and their children are important. Robin’s second grade students into whom she pours her life will carry with them her imprint. My students—junior high through PhD—are those to whom I entrust my teaching.

I suggest five ideas about how to plan for our successors, those who take our place. 

1. The first job of every leader is to identify, guide, and help her successor.

2. Follow Moses’ example who chose Joshua to succeed him; do not follow Joshua’s example who seemingly chose no one, after which we are left with the book of Judges.

3. Ask oneself “Into whom am I pouring my encouragement, care, spirit, and passion?

4. Read books like Marilynne Robinson’s Gilead to remind us of our fleeting place in this life.

5. Remember that my succession to the next life means planning for others to take my place in this life.

Every leader who thinks about the future, thinks past her own grave.

Mark reminds himself daily that he is closer to the end than the beginning. Dr. Mark Eckel believes God teaches us to “number our days” (Ps 39.4 and Ps 90.12) if we are willing to be taught. He is always looking to leave his legacy with his college students via The Comenius Institute (1 minute video here) and graduate students at Capital Seminary & Graduate School.