The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast CNLP 763 | When Pastoral Succession Hurts: Tim Timberlake on Leading Through Pain and Finding Momentum
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Oct 28, 2025 Tim Timberlake, global senior pastor of Celebration Church and an insightful author, opens up about the pain of pastoral succession and personal challenges. He candidly shares lessons learned from leading through divorce, emphasizing the importance of healing and authenticity in ministry. Timberlake discusses building a diverse church with genuine relationships and highlights the struggles of leadership during crises, including navigating conflict and maintaining focus. His journey is a testament to resilience, encouraging leaders to move forward slowly while prioritizing community care.
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Early Marriage, Divorce, And Healing
- Tim Timberlake married young, led a church in his early 20s, and divorced by 25 while still pastoring.
- He pursued therapy and healing, which prepared him for future leadership challenges.
Lead From Scars, Not Fresh Wounds
- Do not preach from your wound; teach from the scar after healing.
- Get into community and take time to grieve and be healed before rushing back into leadership.
You Are Not Your Gift
- Timberlake discovered many ministry friendships valued his gift more than him as a person.
- He realized identity must be rooted in sonship, not in performance or role.
