Throughout Scripture, God speaks with fierce clarity about His heart for the shepherds of His people. He does not mince words when those entrusted with care abandon their post or exploit their flock. In Ezekiel 34, we hear the voice of the Lord rising with grief and righteous anger.

For years—maybe decades—they were the ministry.

The founder. The visionary. The name everyone associated with the work. They built it from the ground up. Cast the vision. Took the risks. Made the asks. Mobilized the movement. Their voice, face, and story became the brand. In many ways, that identity served the mission well. Until it doesn’t. Because now, the founder is beginning to transition out. And suddenly, the question becomes: What happens to the ministry when the founder is no longer the center of it?

Ministry founder transitions are rarely just strategic. They are deeply personal, emotionally nuanced, and spiritually weighty. Why? Because it’s a person. With a heart and history at stake.

The ministry might be ready. The board may be aligned. The donors could be well-informed. But unless the founder’s internal world is honored and understood - unless their fears, attachments, grief, and legacy questions are addressed - then even the most structurally sound succession plan can unravel, in front of everyone or quietly behind the scenes.