By Elie Haddad

On October 1, I will pass the leadership of the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS) to a new president. This transition is both a significant institutional milestone and a personally significant moment for me. Recently, I participated in a couple of large conferences where people who know me well repeatedly asked the same question: Why are you leaving ABTS? They know how much I love this institution and how much I have poured into it over the past twenty years. Their question is understandable. But my answer is rooted in a theology of leadership transition, which has guided this moment.

At ABTS, succession planning has long been a high value. Leadership transitions should not be abrupt or unplanned but intentionally shaped by years of preparation, mentorship, and strategic discernment. The Board of Trustees, which bears the responsibility of ensuring the continuity of ABTS’s mission, has carefully and prayerfully selected the new president. This decision is the fruit of a long-term commitment to sustaining strong, faithful leadership.

Moreover, ABTS is blessed with an exceptional team—a group of committed, gifted, and mission-driven leaders who have faithfully stewarded the seminary’s vision and ministry. Building and nurturing this team has been an intentional effort guided by prayerful discernment. Indeed, developing a strong and healthy team has been central to our long-standing succession planning. Succession planning is not merely about changing the person at the top; it’s about strengthening the entire leadership structure and organizational culture. This exceptional team does not depend on any single individual but is united by their shared dedication to God’s calling. I have no doubt that God will continue to use them to ensure both stability and innovation as ABTS moves into its next chapter. True continuity rests not in one person but in a collective commitment to the mission God has entrusted to us.

One of the greatest challenges in our ministries and churches today is that even when we develop younger leaders, we often fail to give them meaningful opportunities for leadership. Too often, seasoned leaders hold on too long, unintentionally limiting the growth of the next generation. But biblical leadership is about equipping and empowering others to take up the mantle. Moses prepared Joshua, Elijah prepared Elisha, and Paul mentored Timothy and Titus. At ABTS, we believe that transitioning leadership to younger leaders is not just practical—it is biblical and essential for the future of the Church.

One of the foundational practices guiding leadership transition at ABTS is that when a key leader moves on, we do not attempt to replace that person directly. Instead, we seek to discern the new season God is preparing for ABTS and identify the kind of leader required for that next phase. Scripture reveals that God raises up leaders not to build their own legacy but to serve His purposes for a given time. Just as He appointed different leaders for different moments—Moses for the wilderness, Joshua for the conquest, David for the kingdom, Solomon for the temple—we trust that He is shaping ABTS for its next chapter and has called a leader uniquely suited for this moment.

Regarding legacy, I personally do not believe in this concept as it is often understood in leadership circles. Ministry is not about securing our own name or ensuring our influence endures beyond our tenure. Only Christ’s name endures forever. The apostle Paul’s view of leadership was not self-referential but Christ-centered: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6). Leadership in ministry is about faithfulness, not fame. Faithfulness is key, and finishing well is a theological imperative. Paul, at the end of his ministry, did not boast in his accomplishments but simply affirmed: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). To finish well is not to ensure personal remembrance but to remain steadfast in the calling entrusted by God.

As I move into my next season, I see my role as supporting and coaching younger leaders. The Church and theological education need experienced leaders not to hold onto power, but to walk alongside emerging leaders, offering wisdom, encouragement, and support. My calling is shifting from leading an institution to investing in those who will lead the next generation.

Biblical Models of Leadership Transition

Scripture offers numerous examples of leadership transitions, each carrying far-reaching theological implications.

Moses, after decades of leading Israel through the wilderness, knew his time as a leader was ending. He did not leave the future of the nation to chance. Instead, under God’s direction, he publicly commissioned Joshua before all Israel, and encouraged him with the words, “Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God goes with you” (Deuteronomy 31:6-8). Moses understood that leadership is about preparing others to continue the mission, not about securing personal legacy.

Elijah, the great prophet, did not cling to his role either. When his time came, he passed his mantle to Elisha, not just symbolically but through years of mentorship and shared ministry (2 Kings 2:9-15). Leadership transitions are most effective when they are not abrupt but rather involve a period of intentional preparation and empowerment.

Deborah, a prophet and judge, also provides a compelling model of leadership empowerment. When Israel faced oppression, she called Barak to take command of the army, but he hesitated. Rather than leading the battle herself, she encouraged and empowered Barak to step into his God-given role (Judges 4:6-9,14). Deborah’s example highlights how wise leaders recognize when it is time to equip others to take the lead, helping ensure that the mission continues beyond them.

Theological Reflections on Leadership Succession

These biblical examples point to key theological principles that shape our understanding of leadership transition at ABTS.

1. God is the True Leader – Ultimately, leadership is not about an individual but about God’s work through his people. Psalm 75:6-7 reminds us that it is God who raises up leaders and lowers them. The transition at ABTS is not simply an administrative change; it is a moment of discernment in God’s ongoing story for this institution.

2. Leadership is for a Season – Leadership within a particular organization or church role is not meant to last indefinitely. Scripture teaches that God appoints leaders for specific times and purposes (Ecclesiastes 3:1, Acts 13:36). Just as Moses had his time leading Israel in the wilderness, then Joshua led them into the Promised Land, leadership transitions allow organizations and churches to adapt to new challenges and opportunities. Wise leaders recognize that their calling is not about holding a position indefinitely but about serving faithfully in a particular season, equipping others, and discerning when it is time to step aside for the next leader God is raising up.

3. Succession Must Be Intentional – Effective transitions do not happen by accident. They require prayerful planning, mentorship, and public affirmation. At ABTS, this has been a deeply embedded value, leading to a leadership transition that is not reactive but proactive. Paul’s instruction to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2 underscores this: “Entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others also.” The goal is continuity of mission, not simply replacement of personnel.

4. Transitions Require Trust – Leadership transitions can be unsettling for institutions. Yet just as Joshua needed to trust in God’s presence, and Elisha needed to trust in Elijah’s blessing, so too must those involved in leadership transitions trust that God is at work. At ABTS, we trust that God has raised up the right leader for the next season.

Stepping Aside with Gratitude and Hope

This transition is not an end but a continuation. ABTS does not depend on any one leader; it is part of God’s larger Kingdom mission. My prayer is that the new president will step into this role with the same assurance that God is leading the way, and that ABTS’s incredible team will continue to flourish in their calling.

Elie Haddad currently serves as president of ABTS, transitioning to Wissam Nasrallah on October 1.