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On today’s episode, William talks with Philip Miller, Senior Pastor of Westwood Baptist Church in Olympia, Washington. Philip stepped into leadership at Westwood after the previous pastor’s 41-year tenure—no small transition. In this conversation, he shares practical insight on navigating that handoff with wisdom, humility, and intentionality.

You’ll hear about:

  • What it’s like to follow a long-tenured pastor
  • How to build culture while honoring what came before
  • Best practices for a pastor’s first 90 days
  • Leading a team of both new and legacy staff
  • Managing tensions between past and present leadership

Whether you’re stepping into a new role or preparing for succession, this episode offers grounded, honest advice from someone who’s lived it.

Resources

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Subscribe to the Vanderbloemen YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@vanderbloemensearchgroup 

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