The Next Chapter Leadership Cohort is a relational learning experience for executive leaders who want to see their work outlast them. Maybe you're retiring next year. Maybe you're feeling the first hints of burnout. Or maybe you have many pages to go before your next chapter. Wherever you are in the journey, this cohort will help you prepare yourself and your organization to thrive after you leave.

This isn't about imminent departure for most participants. Rather, this cohort experience will help you and your organization create a culture of natural and healthy transitions, perhaps years in the future. It's about learning to lead well in all directions—with your team, peers, and board—by normalizing the idea that transition will one day come and preparing thoughtfully for it together. This is for leaders who recognize that stewarding well both their own next chapter and the ongoing health, culture, and reputation of the organizations they'll one day leave behind is an essential act of leadership.

Who It’s For

  • Senior pastors, nonprofit executives, entrepreneurs, and business leaders

  • Leaders of organizations they deeply love (perhaps even founded)

  • Those who may have many pages to go before their next chapter

  • Leaders who want to create a culture where healthy transition can be discussed openly

  • Those who recognize that normalizing eventual departure—even years in the future—is an act of leadership

What We’ll Explore Together

  1. Discernment: When is it time?

  • Knowing when to step down—paying attention to the "arrows"

  • Internal movements: What's happening in your soul?

  • External developments: What's happening around you?

  • Timing and practices for sharing thoughts about leaving

2. How to leave well

  • The mentality for leaving well—managing yourself through the process

  • The emotions of the messy middle

  • Preparing your organization to thrive beyond you: board, leadership team, staff, stakeholders

3. Passing the mantle

  • Supporting your successor, even when they do things differently

  • Creating space for new leadership to flourish

  • Internal and external communication

4. Sticking the landing

  • Managing the emotions and processes of leaving well

  • Leaving in a way that prepares you for your next chapter

There will be preparation between cohort sessions, but the experience is designed for busy leaders. Prep time will be realistic and manageable.

Schedule & Format

Four Full-Day Cohort Gatherings

April - June - August - October 2026

Fridays, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Wilson County
Specific dates to be determined

Cohort size: 6 to 10 participants

Each session includes a light lunch, snacks, beverages throughout the day.

Total cohort gathering time: 28 hours over 8 months

Investment

Standard Rate

$1,500

Early Registration

Register by March 1, 2026

$1,250

Reduced Rate *

*Available for pastors of churches under 200 in attendance and nonprofit executives with organizational budgets under $500K

$995

Your Facilitators

John Grant, D.Min.

John is a Spiritual Director with Standing Stone Ministry, where he offers coaching, prayer, and care for community leaders. He is the founder of Compassionate Hands, a ministry activating churches to offer winter shelter and supportive services. After more than 30 years in church and nonprofit roles, he understands the emotional complexities of public service and seeks to be an encouraging friend to other leaders. 

Evan McBroom

Evan is the Founder and Executive Director of Teamness, an organization dedicated to supporting pastors and their spouses. He previously founded, led, and sold Fishhook, a marketing and creative services agency serving churches and Christ-centered nonprofits. Earlier in his career, he served as general manager of a corporate communications agency working with Fortune 500 companies. Evan is passionate about team leadership, recognizing potential in others, and equipping emerging leaders.

Register

Click this link to register for the Next Chapter Leadership Cohort

Questions?