Steve Woodworth: Key Transition Truths for Business and Ministry

Generous Business Owner

Have you started thinking about your business or ministry transition?

In this episode, Jeff, Jeff, and Steve discuss:

• How Steve found Jesus with his wife at 21, turning his life around in the process.
• Losing focus in college and then finding success with a business career in marketing, which has become his ministry career.
• Building a cushion of wealth and being deliberate about both saving and giving.
• Combining business and ministry for successful giving.
• The five principles to follow for a successful succession.

Key Takeaways:

• If you allow God to move through you and you open the door to allow Him in, you’ll be amazed at what can happen in your life.
• Praying parents, don’t give up. God hears your prayers.
• Boards need to involve senior staff in selecting a new CEO. They don’t have enough information on their own.
• Transitions of any kind should happen with respect for all parties, humility, and clear, continuous communication. Transitions are hard, it is an emotionally charged time and requires a lot of learning on both sides.

"That possibility of giving away part or all of your company does require you to build wealth on the side, and so you need to be doing that at the same time. I was late in getting started on that, and so there's nothing wrong with building a cushion of wealth, or potential retirement, or whatever might happen." — Steve Woodworth

Episode References:

• Born Again by Charles W Colson: https://www.amazon.com/Born-Again-Charles-W-Colson/dp/0800794591

About Steve Woodworth: With over forty years devoted to advancing Christian organizations, Steve Woodworth brings a wealth of expertise in marketing, management, and organizational development. He steered World Vision’s direct marketing and donor services through a decade of annual double-digit growth in the 1980s and 1990s. Since joining Masterworks in 1992, Steve has been instrumental in establishing it as the premier marketing agency dedicated to aiding hundreds of Christian organizations in achieving their mission. Steve also gives back as a volunteer on boards, as a convener of industry leaders, and continues to lead the Communications Working Group for The Lausanne Movement.

Connect with Steve Woodworth:

Website: https://www.masterworks.agency/

Book: Lost in Transition: https://www.masterworks.agency/succession

Connect with Jeff Thomas:

Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/

Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/

Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw