TD Jakes Offers a Master Class in Succession. The Rest of Us Should Follow.

This past Sunday, July 6, 2025, Bishop T.D. Jakes, founder and senior pastor of The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas, delivered a rare and timely master class in leadership: succession planning.

Too often in churches, corporations, nonprofits, and government, leaders wait too long to plan for their departure. They hold on until their health fails, a crisis hits, or death forces the issue. This leads to chaos. The organization loses direction as it struggles to separate its identity from that of its founder. But Bishop Jakes made a different choice. He passed the mantle of leadership while still vibrant and present, setting an example for others to follow.

He named his daughter and longtime assistant, Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts, as his successor. This move naturally invites questions. In the Black church, leadership transitions often mirror a family business, where pulpits are passed down rather than earned. There was no national search, no open application process, no external vetting. That deserves discussion and critique.

Still, Sarah Jakes Roberts is far from unqualified. She has built her own ministry, written bestselling books, developed a distinct voice, and successfully led the “Woman Thou Art Loosed” conference. Her influence and leadership already extend beyond the walls of The Potter’s House. She resonates deeply with a generation of Black women and others seeking a message that is both spiritually grounded and emotionally honest.

Her appointment is also significant in a broader context. Many Black churches still wrestle with the role of women in ministry. The fact that Bishop Jakes chose his daughter as successor is not only a personal decision, but a cultural statement. It challenges outdated norms that limit the leadership potential of women in sacred spaces.

Bishop Jakes is not alone. In 2022, Bishop Charles Blake of West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles made a similar decision to transition leadership while still living. Like Jakes, he passed the role to his son. Both leaders should be applauded for resisting the tradition of waiting until death to hand over power. At the same time, we must ask: Are we creating space for talented leaders outside of legacy families?

This issue is not limited to the church. In the United States Senate, the average age is 64. In the House of Representatives, it is 58. In many nonprofits and businesses, founders hold on until it is too late. We talk about the importance of diversity, but generational diversity is often overlooked. Leadership requires a pipeline, and succession requires intention.

To elected officials, executives, pastors, and board chairs: identify someone to mentor. Invest in their growth. Step aside when it is time. Building sustainable institutions means preparing for the future, not reacting to a crisis. The lesson from Bishop Jakes is clear. If you love what you built, then share its leadership while you can still shape its legacy.