“Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel; ‘Be strong and bold for you are the one who will go with this people into the land that the LORD has sworn to their ancestors to give them; and you will put them in possession of it. It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.’” … “Then Moses, the servant of the LORD, died there in the land of Moab, at the LORD’s command. …. Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died; his sight was unimpaired and his vigor had not abated. The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days; then the period of mourning for Moses was ended. Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him; and the Israelites obeyed him, doing as the LORD had commanded Moses.” Deuteronomy 31:7-8, 34:5, 7-9

What a great model of leadership and transition for the local church. Established leaders, raise up and mentor younger ones to become leaders. The elder ones realizing though they have led for X number of years, they may not be the one responsible to lead into the next stage of the journey. Though the congregation mourns the loss of the older leader, the time of mourning comes to and end then they follow the new one. O that all transitions of leadership in local congregations (I write from the perspective of an UMC clergy) be smooth. O that I be satisfied with the stage the Lord asked me to be a part of and that always anoint the one who follows me in the presence and witness of the congregation. That I always be strong and bold in every situation, every stage, and every place the Lord sends me.