The Transition I Planned...The Transition I Got (featuring Jim West)

Stepping away from leadership is rarely just a strategic decision. It’s personal. Emotional. Spiritual. Especially for founders and long-term leaders who have poured their lives into a ministry. In this episode, Jim West reflects on what it meant to hand off leadership of the Barnabas Group, a ministry he helped build and lead for over two decades.  Just weeks after that transition, Jim was diagnosed with cancer, forcing him into a season of surrender he never planned. This conversation explores succession, identity, grief, and trust. It’s an honest look at what happens when God asks you to release what you love, and how unexpected seasons can become some of the most formative and meaningful of your life. Key Takeaways Succession is not an emergency plan. It’s a discipleship issue. Founders often grieve more than they expect when they step away. A ministry continuing without you can be a sign of health, not failure. Forced stillness can protect both leaders and organizations. Identity untethered from role allows for deeper trust in God. Life after ministry can be fuller, not smaller. Transitions require guides, not just decisions. Chapter Markers 00:00 – Jim’s path into the Barnabas Group 03:30 – Recognizing the need for succession 05:20 – Passing the baton and receiving a cancer diagnosis 07:40 – Watching the ministry grow without him 11:50 – Faith, cancer, and spiritual clarity 16:00 – Discovering life and ministry after leadership 27:10 – Advice for leaders facing transition If you or your organization are facing a leadership transition, visit ministrytransitions.com to book a confidential conversation and get support that protects people, preserves purpose, and plans wisely for what’s next.