Church Leadership Succession and Organisational Continuity in Pentecostal Ministries in Akwa Ibom State

This study investigates leadership succession practices in Pentecostal ministries in Akwa Ibom State, South South Nigeria, and their implications for organisational continuity and ministry effectiveness. The succession of founding or long-serving pastoral leaders is one of the most significant organisational transitions a religious institution can undergo, yet it is frequently managed without formal planning or transparency. Using a descriptive qualitative design, data are gathered from twenty senior pastoral leaders and fifteen board members across ten established Pentecostal ministries in Uyo, Eket, and Ikot Abasi. Interview protocols explore succession awareness, planning practices, governance frameworks, and outcomes of past succession events. Findings indicate that most ministries lack formal succession plans, with leadership transition typically managed through informal spiritual discernment processes or patriarchal designation rather than merit-based or democratic selection. Ministries that have experienced well-managed successions show higher post-transition growth rates and stronger congregational cohesion. Key success factors include clear communication with the congregation, theological grounding of the transition process, and mentorship of designated successors over a defined period. The study recommends the development of a succession planning guide for Pentecostal ministries that integrates biblical governance principles with sound nonprofit organisational practice. Keywords: succession planning, Pentecostal leadership, organisational continuity, Akwa Ibom State, church governance