SBCAL Succession Planning
Registration for March - May 2026 Cohorts
Discounted Rate: $995
Healthy transitions protect the mission of the church and honor the shepherd who has served it. Sherpa provides a clear, field tested framework for churches and has trained leaders in other national bodies. Pastoral transitions often become seasons of uncertainty, especially when churches lack preparation. A new partnership between SBCAL and Sherpa will fill that gap by training AMS leaders in a set of practices that strengthen continuity, communication, and transition management. The training focuses on the relational and organizational aspects of transition and does not address the search process. The aim is to help churches prepare in advance so transitions happen with unity and wisdom.
Through this strategic ministry partnership, AMSs will be thoughtfully and practically trained in cohorts of 3-5 participants that meet for 90 minutes 4 times over 2-3 months. This intensive training will be offered at a discounted rate to SBCAL members. These cohorts will equip AMS leaders to help churches understand the pastoral leadership lifecycle, prepare for planned and unplanned transitions, protect continuity, manage the transition process, communicate clearly with the congregation, and support the pastor and family during seasons of change. Typical leadership training programs for churches cost between fifteen hundred and twenty-five hundred dollars. Sherpa offers this training to AMS leaders at a discounted rate of nine hundred and ninety-five dollars ($995). If you want to register to be in a Succession Planning Cohort but your association cannot afford the discounted rate, a limited number of scholarships are available. Payment may also be divided into 2 installments, upon request. The deadline to register for the March-May 2026 Cohorts is February 26, 2026.
2026 Cohort Cycle Options:
Each cohort is four 2-hour virtual sessions via Zoom with pre-work to complete prior to the call.
CoHort 1 - Mondays @ 8:30am CST - Mar 9, Mar 23, Apr 13, May 4
CoHort 2 - Mondays @ 1:30pm CST - Mar 9, Mar 23, Apr 13, May 4
CoHort 3 - Mondays @ 6pm CST - Mar 9, Mar 23, Apr 13, May 4
CoHort 4 - Wednesdays @ 8:30am CST - Mar 11, Mar 25, Apr 15, May 6
CoHort 5 - Thursdays @ 8:30am CST - Mar 12, Mar 26, Apr 16, May 7
CoHort 6 - Thursdays @ 1:30pm CST - Mar 12, Mar 26, Apr 16, May 7
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Cost: $995
To inquire about need-based scholarships available or to request to pay in 2 installments, email Dr. Ray Gentry at [email protected]. Payment deadline is March 5, 2026. Option 1: Pay by check (download invoice/voucher below) 
Option 2: Pay by credit card (processing fees added)
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