Navigate Your Church's Future with Confidence: Expert Pastoral Succession Planning for Seamless Leadership Transitions

Ensuring Your Church’s Mission Thrives Through Every Leadership Change

Meet Dr. Paticia Gould-Champ

Your Partner in Seamless Pastoral Succession

Dr. Gould-Champ earned a Bachelors and Master of Divinity degrees from Virginia Union University. She also earned her Master’s from VA State, and Doctorate from VA Tech University. In 1995, she founded Faith Community Baptist Church. She started succession planning in 2018 when the church was 25 years old. After 25 years of service, she passed the baton in January 2023..

“I believe that even pastoral ministry is seasonal and that most pastors know this but are reluctant because it hasn’t been introduced as the norm. Most pastors feel pastoring is all they can do and they stay in that role longer than they need to because they haven’t considered anything else. The Biblical model for successful pastoral leadership transition is succession.”

SERVICES OFFERED

Tailored Solutions for Every Stage of Your Church's Transition

  • Comprehensive Succession Planning

    Detailed plans customized to your church’s unique needs, ensuring a smooth transition of leadership.

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  • Workshop Information Request

    Personalized coaching for your current and future leaders to ensure they are fully prepared for their roles.

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  • Crisis Management & Recovery

    Immediate support for churches facing unexpected leadership changes, helping to stabilize and guide your congregation through uncertainty.

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Allow us to Work With You to Create a Customized Plan.

Allow us to Work With You to Create a Customized Plan.

Success Stories from Churches Like Yours

  • When I reflect on Rev. Dr. Patricia Gould-Champ, the first scripture that springs to mind is Proverbs 31:10-31, which celebrates a woman of high virtue. This woman is portrayed as deserving of admiration and standing above her peers. She is depicted as possessing strength, wisdom, generosity, diligence, business acumen, and respect. Dr. Gould-Champ embodies these qualities daily through her actions and words.

  • As Fourth Baptist Church was celebrating our 165th Anniversary, we were also experiencing a challenging time of pastoral transition.  As a result, our leadership and congregation sought guidance, and Dr. Patricia Gould-Champ was our beacon of support. She led a workshop for our ministry leaders, focusing on three key areas: The Challenges of Transition, the Roots of Conflict, and Leadership in Crisis. She emphasized the importance of unity among leaders, providing encouragement, and maintaining the church's vision and goals.

  • Following this workshop, Rev. Dr. Patricia Gould-Champ conducted a "Moving Forward" session for our entire congregation. Her session was grounded in Philippians 4:4-7, Faithful in this Season.  She encouraged us to be kind to ourselves and others, to pray and make commitments to unity. These sessions played a crucial role in our congregation's healing and progress. She also made recommendations on individuals that could serve as an interim pastor during this time of transition. 

  • Mayo Angelo once remarked, "People tend to overlook your words, forget your actions, yet they will always remember the emotions you stirred within them". Whenever I reflect on Dr. Gould-Champ, I recall this insightful message. To me, it signifies that while I might not retain all the precise phrases Dr. Gould-Champ shared, the emotions she stirred within me will be eternally remembered—the sensations felt at the time of our interaction, the enduring effects of her conversation, and the emotional response it elicited in me.

    -Shelia S. Fitzgerald