Yesterday we hosted Pipeline: Succession at Every Level in Nashville, Tennessee, where church leaders gathered to discussion the importance of reproducing leaders in every ministry role and context, from volunteers to senior leadership and staff. Pipeline is unlike other church leadership events because it offers hands-on training and application that a staff can take home and begin implementing immediately.

Here are some powerful quotes from yesterday’s conference. 

You don’t just walk into a church and “do stuff,” the people have to be with you. -John Piper

Delegate in the area of your weakness, and work in the area of your strength. -Bob Russell

Pastors, long after the elders and deacons in your church have forgotten your name, your wife will still be there. -Bob Russell

God does not value your worth in ministry by your statistics. -Bob Russell

Mentor, but don’t micromanage. -Bob Russell

Successful transitions require an ongoing sacrifice of ego. -Bob Russell

You don’t become a leader by getting a title. -H.B. Charles

You don’t become a pastor just because they put your name on a business card. -H.B. Charles

To be a faithful, loving shepherd, your people have to be on your heart, not your nerves. -H.B. Charles

If you’re not intentional about developing leaders, more likely than not, you’re not developing leaders. -Léonce Crump

If you’re not developing leaders, you’re asking for the death of your church. -Léonce Crump

Hiring and succession is an exercise in facing the unknown. -William Vanderbloemen

Having a succession plan is responsible legacy planning. -William Vanderbloemen

We can’t do this in our own power–we have to have His. -Thom Rainer

There are countless opportunities to invite people in as leaders. -Tami Heim

If right now, you are not preparing someone, then by default, you have set yourself up for failure. -Mark Jobe

Release the assignments you were never called to do. -Mark Jobe

Leaders are responsible for future leadership. -Eric Geiger

If we fail in our own character, it won’t matter how great we are at developing others. -Eric Geiger

Saying yes to everything results in rampant ineffectiveness. -Daniel Im