Every single church will go through a pastoral transition at some time, but 90% of these occur without a plan and the support of an experienced Transition Leader. A church without a transition plan is exceptionally vulnerable and subjects its leaders and congregation to a potentially harmful situation that can cause irreparable damage.
At Legacy Transition Group, our mission is the transition. Our focus is on helping churches successfully plan for a smooth pastoral change to ensure a healthy growing congregation that can positively impact its community. Whether expected or sudden, transitions are both challenging and consequential. As Transition Leaders, we walk alongside a church in transition every step of the way to make sure the baton is successfully passed from one leader to the next.
We serve the church, but more specifically, we serve network leaders, pastors, board members, staff, congregation and the community. Transitions impact every member in different capacities, and we must provide service and guidance to all. With deliberate care and focus, we build a safe, stable bridge to take a church and its members from the past to the future.
GUIDANCE FOR ALL TRANSITIONS
Whether planned or unplanned – building a more stable future or responding to sudden tragedy or crisis, we will successfully lead your church through transition with compassion and integrity, no matter the situation.
“I can think of no one better equipped to help a leader or local church effectively engage the art of a church transition than Ron McManus. Through his many years of extraordinary experience, Ron has so much to offer to every type of transition.”
“I know of no one else who has more first-hand experience in assisting in Pastoral transitions than Ron McManus. He has served as interim Pastor of many significant churches, nursed them to health and successfully transitioned to the church’s Pastor.”
“The Transition Leader is a must-read for those who love the local church. Through his years of experience, Ron McManus shares thought-provoking insights, personal stories, and principles that foster healthy leadership transitions. I know these principles work; Ron transitioned the thriving church I now Pastor.”
"Before my installation as Lead Pastor of Grand Rapids First, Ron led the church for ten months as the Interim Lead Pastor. During that time, Ron's wisdom and guidance were critical in stabilizing and preparing the congregation, the church board, and the pastoral team for a successful transition. "
“Over one third of all lead pastors are over sixty years of age. Succession is coming, but will we be ready? Ron’s book, is the answer. He gives us both principles and examples of church transitions. He shows that if transition is done intentionally, there will be great fruit and the Kingdom of God will advance."
"When I began thinking about a transition plan for our church, I knew I needed an experienced leader to walk along with us. I reached out to Dr. Ron McManus of Legacy Transition Group, and I quickly realized how much I didn’t know about transition planning. Ron came in and worked with me and our church board, to assist in identifying my successor. He also worked with our staff, and my family to set expectations for the transition and the future. The entire relationship and process could not have gone better. I’m so grateful to Legacy Transition Group and Dr. Ron McManus for the leadership and care they provided."
Does your church find itself amid a difficult, sudden transition? Is your church preparing for an imminent change in leadership without a transition plan or Transition Leader? Are you a pastor wanting to protect the future of your church and your congregation? We are here to navigate whatever path lies in front of you.
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After serving as a pastor for multiple decades, Ron McManus received a cancer diagnosis that forced him to leave his church unexpectedly. After his recovery, Ron worked with the pastor and best-selling author, John Maxwell, to launch a leadership training company, which would quickly lead Ron to find his new calling as a church Transition Leader.
After many years and many successful transitions, Ron shares his intimate knowledge and experience in his new book to provide church leaders with a step-by-step guide for creating successful transitions and detail a Transition Leader's unique role.
Led by Pastor Ron McManus, the Legacy Transition Group team is quickly growing to lead your church through the transition process. If you’re interested in joining our mission, please fill out the contact form below.
Kevin McManus has served in the local church for over 25 years as a lead pastor, campus pastor, student pastor, and church planter. He is passionate about helping churches navigate transitions while staying true to their mission. Kevin lives in South Florida with his wife and three children.
Transitioned First Assembly of God church in Las Cruces, N.M. Served as the Lead Pastor for twenty-nine years. He served as a Presbyter for twelve years in the New Mexico Ministry Network and then was elected to serve as the Assistant Superintendent serving nine years.
Dave Divine and his wife Cindy founded Chapelhill Church, a multi-cultural, multi-generational church in 2001. Today Chapelhill has four locations in the Atlanta metro area located in Atlanta, Bremen, Douglasville, and Dunwoody, Georgia. After 25 years as Senior Pastor, he successfully transitioned the church to a new Senior Pastor in March of 2025, with the assistance of Dr. Ron McManus. Dave has four decades of ministry in Kansas, Indiana, Alabama, and Georgia. He has also served on the Georgia District Executive Presbytery and has served numerous other boards and ministries.
Arrived at Covina Assembly in the fall of 1999. Covina Assembly under the leadership of the Johnsons for over fifteen years, experienced a growth to over 2,000 in attendance with thirteen campuses spread across the city of Los Angeles. Served as the Assistant Superintendent for the SoCal Network of the Assemblies of God.
Began His ministry as youth pastors in January 1978. In 1994 the Bontrager’s came back to Lakeview Church, where they had spent seven years as youth pastors. In the last two years he has Ttransitioned out of the Lead pastoral position of Lakeview Church. Pastor Ron serves on the Executive Board of the Indiana District Assemblies of God as Assistant District Superintendent.
Terry has pastored churches in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and South Carolina. For the past 35 years, He has served as the founding pastors of Trinity Church in Columbia, South Carolina. Recently, they transferred leadership of that church to a younger pastor. Terry has served as an executive presbyter with the South Carolina Assemblies of God and is currently the director of their School of Ministry.
He has been involved in leadership roles in the district for over 40 years. He serves as chairman of Ascent College and of as Founding Chair of Global University in Armenia.Pastor George began his post-senior pastor role in May 2023, after serving a diverse community at Trinity Life in Lutherville, MD for 26 years.
The Robertson’s were pastors of Praise Temple in Burleson, Texas for five years. It was there in 1991, that they received the “God Nudge” to go to Southern California. They planted a church in Oceanside and were pastor there for 15 years.
Mike then became the Vice President of University Advancement at Southwestern Assemblies of University in Waxahachie, Texas. Karen became the campus pastor in charge of all the worship. In 2008, Mike and Karen became lead pastors of Visalia First in Visalia, CA.and led that church for 14 years. The Robertsons transitioned from being lead pastors to being global pastors.
Don Barnes has served the kingdom of God as staff pastor and lead pastor in four Assembly of God churches in Texas and Oklahoma. As lead pastor he led two churches through growth and a total of five building construction projects. He retired as lead pastor of Lawton First Assembly, Lawton, Oklahoma in August of 2022, after serving for almost thirty-two years. He worked with Dr. Ron McManus for two years to implement an extremely smooth and successful transition to a new lead pastor. His passion is to motivate people to follow Christ and help them discover their divine destiny in building the local church.
Interested in learning more about our process and the value of a Transition Leader? We would love to hear from you. Fill out the form below, and we’ll respond promptly.
