Business Survival Mastermind
What if succession could strengthen your church instead of stress it?
“I've lived succession from both sides, releasing leadership and stepping into it. And I've learned this: Healthy succession takes more than good intentions. It takes wisdom, trust, courage, and a plan.”
- RUSTY GEORGE
Founder of Simple Succession Coaching
It's Time to Rediscover the Joys of Leadership
Running an organization is hard. You know this better than anyone.
The late nights, the missed family dinners, the constant juggling of tasks that never seem to end. You wear so many hats—CEO, HR manager, mediator, sometimes even the office therapist—and it’s exhausting.
There’s a constant pressure to keep things moving, to ensure every team member is performing at their best, and to keep the orgnanization profitable.
But let’s be honest—despite your best efforts, sometimes it feels like you’re the only one truly invested in the success of the organization.
Few transitions carry as much weight as handing off leadership in church.
For the pastor preparing to step back,
it can raise questions of identity
legacy, timing, and release.
I do not know who I am if I am not the pastor here.
If I step back, everything might fall apart.
My board says they support succession, but we have never really talked through it.
I do not want to hurt the church, my family, or the next pastor.
I know I cannot do this forever, but I do not know what comes next.
For the incoming pastor, it can bring pressure, comparison, inherited expectations, and the challenge of leading people still attached to the previous season.
Everyone keeps comparing me to the previous pastor.
I feel pressure to prove myself, but I do not know how fast to move.
I inherited challenges I did not create, and I am not sure who I can trust..
I want to honor the church past without being trapped by it.
I know God called me here, but someday I wonder if I'm the right person for this role.
If these challenges resonate with you, it’s time to consider a different approach.
What If You Could Build a Team That Didn’t Just Work for You, But With You?
A team so aligned with your vision, so committed to excellence, that you can finally step back and focus on the bigger picture.
Imagine an organization where your team not only meets your expectations but consistently exceeds them—day in and day out.
This team doesn’t just execute tasks; they understand your vision, share your passion, and deliver results that drive your organization forward, allowing you to focus on growth, innovation, and what truly matters.
This is what we call a Killer Team.
"A Killer Team is more than just a group of employees—it’s a cohesive, high-performing unit that works in harmony to achieve your organizational goals."
- SHAWN LOVEJOY, FOUNDER & CEO
Killer Team University
Killer Team University is created for leaders taking their initial steps toward growth and development. This level offers foundational insights, essential tools, and strategies to help you start leading with intention. Begin your journey towards growth here.
Introducing:
SIMPLE SUCCESSION
A 12-week elite coaching experience designed to provide a guided pathway for both long-tenured pastors preparing to transition and incoming pastors leading after beloved leaders.
What's Included:
Groups Limited to 8 High-Capacity Leaders
Cohorts are kept small and strategic—so you’re not lost in a crowd. You’ll be sharpening alongside other Kingdom-minded leaders committed to lasting transformation.
On-Demand Trainings via The Simple Succession Coaching Dashboard
Get access to two dozen video lessons taught by Pastor Rusty George, packed with practical tools, diagnostics, and proven frameworks designed to help you navigate a healthy leadership transition with greater clarity and confidence.
With courses created specifically for both the exiting pastor and the incoming pastor, each leader receives targeted guidance for their unique role in the succession—helping you prepare well, navigate the transition, and build a strong foundation for what comes next.
Live, Weekly Coaching Sessions with Rusty George
Each week, you’ll engage in a live Zoom coaching session designed to help you navigate your transition season and apply the Simple Succession training frameworks in real-time. No fluff. No theory. Only tactical implementation.
Current Group(s): Wednesdays at 12PM CST
Private 1:1 Coaching Session
You’ll receive one personalized, one-on-one coaching session to help apply Simple Succession to your specific leadership environment.
The 5-Pillars of
simple succession
These Pillars form the backbone of your transition. Simple Succession coaching is intentionally designed to guide you through the season while accomplishing the following:
EXITING PASTOR PATHWAY
1. Identity Beyond The Role
Succession isn't about leaving a position - it's about discovering who you are apart from it.
● Clarify who you are when you're no longer the lead voice
● Process the emotional weight of stepping back
● Separate calling from title, platform, or position
● Begin naming what God may be calling you to next
2. A Pastor Led-Succession Plan
Healthy succession needs a clear pathway led with wisdom, courage, and intentionality.
● Build a practical roadmap for the transition
● Identify the right timing and pace
● Clarify roles, responsibilities, and decision points
● Move from vague conversations to a workable plan
3. Honoring the Past Without Being Trapped By It
Every church has a story. The incoming pastor must honor that story while helping write the next chapter.
● Celebrate what God has done through the previous season
● Avoid dismissing traditions, people, or history too quickly
● Identify what should be preserved, released, or renewed
● Lead the church forward without dishonoring where it has been
4. Navigating Inherited Challenges
Incoming pastors often step into problems they did not create but are now responsible for leading through them.
● Identify hidden tensions, expectations, and unresolved issues
● Discern who can be trusted and who needs time
● Lead through complexity without carrying false guilt
● Develop wisdom for responding to pressure and resistance
5. Establishing Alignment For The Next Season
A strong start requires more than personal confidence; it requires shared clarity with the people who shape the church’s future.
● Align with board members, staff, and influential stakeholders
● Clarify expectations around authority, communication, and decision-making
● Build healthy relationships with key leaders
● Create momentum around a shared vision for what comes next
INCOMING PASTOR PATHWAY
1. Leading From Identity, Not Comparison
The incoming pastor often inherits both the blessing and the shadow of the previous leader.
● Lead as yourself, not as a copy of the pastor before you
● Navigate comparison without becoming defensive
● Strengthen confidence in your own voice and calling
● Resist the pressure to prove yourself too quickly
2. Building Trust Before Driving Change
Change may be necessary, but trust determines whether people can follow you into it.
● Learn to read the room before moving the room
● Build credibility with staff, board, and key leaders
● Discern what needs time and what needs attention now
● Roadmap change at the right pace
3. Honoring the Past Without Being Trapped By It
Every church has a story. The incoming pastor must honor that story while helping write the next chapter.
● Celebrate what God has done through the previous season
● Avoid dismissing traditions, people, or history too quickly
● Identify what should be preserved, released, or renewed
● Lead the church forward without dishonoring where it has been
4. Navigating Inherited Challenges
Incoming pastors often step into problems they did not create but are now responsible for leading through them.
● Identify hidden tensions, expectations, and unresolved issues
● Discern who can be trusted and who needs time
● Lead through complexity without carrying false guilt
● Develop wisdom for responding to pressure and resistance
5. Establishing Alignment For The Next Season
A strong start requires more than personal confidence; it requires shared clarity with the people who shape the church’s future.
● Align with board members, staff, and influential stakeholders
● Clarify expectations around authority, communication, and decision-making
● Build healthy relationships with key leaders
● Create momentum around a shared vision for what comes next
Architect Clarity That Unlocks Margin
Most leaders aren’t overwhelmed because they lack vision—but because their calendar, habits, and leadership rhythms can’t sustain it.
In this pillar, we help you:
Rebuild your weekly cadence for deep work, soul renewal, and executive clarity
Identify and eliminate the chaos that drains your time and attention
Design a schedule that protects what matters most and reflects your true priorities
Reclaim 8–12 hours per week by aligning your time with your true calling
You can’t scale your leadership if your life is stuck in survival. This is where we fix that.
Escape Burnout and Overfunctioning
Burnout isn’t about workload; it’s about dislocation from clarity, boundaries, and calling.
This pillar helps you:
Diagnose where burnout is creeping in before it explodes
Break the patterns of over-functioning and constant firefighting
Name and challenge the internal lies that keep you stuck in heroic hustle
Shift from pressure-driven leadership to peace-driven leadership
You weren’t created to carry it all. You were created to lead from overflow.
Bolster
Accountability
Implement systems that hold every team member accountable for their performance.
Structure for Growth
and Peace
Develop an organizational framework that supports scalable growth while maintaining team harmony.
Maintain Rhythms
and Finish Lines
Establish consistent rhythms and clear goals to keep your team focused and motivated.
PROCESS
How Coaching Works
Our Coaching process is meticulously designed to guide you every step of the way, combining expert insights with practical strategies to ensure your team achieves peak performance and sustained success.
Problem Identification
First, we conduct a thorough assessment to identify the key challenges that are holding your team back.
Targeted Training
Then, we move into targeted training that’s specifically designed to address your unique challenges and goals.
Personalized Coaching
With your plan in place, your dedicated coach works with you directly to ensure effective implementation.
Application and Analysis
Finally, as you apply the strategies, we guide you in analyzing the results and refining your approach.
HOW IT HELPS
We discover if it’s dysfunction, lack of accountability, or misalignment with your vision.
HOW IT HELPS
You’ll gain the knowledge and tools necessary to overcome obstacles and drive your team toward excellence.
HOW IT HELPS
This ensures that you’re implementing the Killer Team Operating System™ effectively and making adjustments as needed for maximum impact.
HOW IT HELPS
This continuous evaluation ensures your team remains aligned, accountable, and consistently high-performing
.
Problem Identification
First, we conduct a thorough assessment to identify the key challenges that are holding your team back.
HOW IT HELPS
We discover if it’s dysfunction, lack of accountability, or misalignment with your vision.
Targeted Training
Then, we move into targeted training that’s specifically designed to address your unique challenges and goals.
HOW IT HELPS
You’ll gain the knowledge and tools necessary to overcome obstacles and drive your team toward excellence.
Personalized Coaching
With your plan in place, your dedicated coach works with you directly to ensure effective implementation.
HOW IT HELPS
This ensures that you’re implementing the Killer Team Operating System™ effectively and making adjustments as needed for maximum impact.
Application and Analysis
Finally, as you apply the strategies, we guide you in analyzing the results and refining your approach.
HOW IT HELPS
This continuous evaluation ensures your team remains aligned, accountable, and consistently high-performing.
Are you ready to build your Killer Team?
We're here to help. Enroll now to get started today.
"Coaching is about having someone who helps you see beyond your blind spots, guiding you to become the leader your team needs and deserves. It’s the catalyst that turns potential into high performance."
- SHAWN LOVEJOY, FOUNDER & CEO
Meet Rusty George
Rusty brings over 30 years of ministry and leadership experience within the local church. He currently serves as the Lead Pastor at Church360 in Grand Prairie, Texas, where, under his leadership, the church has become a thriving, multisite community devoted to helping people find and follow Jesus.
He is also deeply passionate about coaching pastors and ministry leaders through Courage to Lead, an organization dedicated to helping leaders build thriving teams, strengthen their leadership voice, and navigate ministry challenges with wisdom and courage.
Rusty is a recognized speaker, author, and teacher known for making faith simple and accessible. He hosts the weekly podcast "Simple Faith – Faith in 5" and has written several popular books focused on practical Christianity.
He and his wife, Lorrie, have been married for over 30 years and have two married adult children. When he isn’t preaching, coaching, or podcasting, Rusty, an unapologetic ESPN junkie, is always catching the latest highlights and sports news on his iPad.
I founded CourageToLead for two reasons:
This is a personal calling.
My journey as a leader has been driven by a deep personal calling to help others achieve their full potential. After years of leading and coaching thousands of ministry and marketplace and leaders, I’ve seen firsthand the power of a strong, cohesive team.
I created this program because I believe that every leader deserves to experience the fulfillment and success that comes from leading a unified, high-performing team.
This is more than just a job for me—it’s my mission to guide leaders in building teams that not only work for them but with them, creating a ripple effect of positive impact in their organizations, their lives, and their communities.
You deserve this.
You’ve put in the hours, made the sacrifices, and faced every challenge head-on. You’ve built something incredible, but you know there’s more potential waiting to be unlocked. You deserve a team that doesn’t just work for you, but with you—a team that’s as invested in your vision as you are.
Here’s the reality, Leader: Your organization is perfectly structured to deliver exactly the results you’re currently getting.
The good news? You're the leader and you can do something about it.
So, if you're the incoming or exiting pastor in a season of succession, and you're ready to have:
A clear, pastor-led succession pathway
Healthy relationships and alignment with key leaders and stakeholders
Confidence in communication and timing
Wisdom for navigating comparisons, expectations, and challenges
Then Simple Succession was built for you.
TESTIMONIALS
"Quantum leaps in my life and leadership..."
"Courage to Lead has helped me to experience quantum leaps in my life and leadership."
Dharius D.
"Nothing short of amazing..."
“My experience with Courage To Lead has been nothing short of amazing. Not only has Courage To Lead help me become a better leader, but also a better person."
-Tim H.
"Coaching empowered me..."
"Working with CTL was a game changer for my leadership and Team. I was able to identify areas I could improve and gained practical strategies to build my leadership. I was able to streamline systems, inspire my team more effectively, and take [my organization] to the next level. Coaching empowered me to lead with confidence and clarity."
-Trent S.
PLANS
Invest in Yourself and the Development of Your Team
Flexible Payment Plans Available
We understand that investing in your organization is a significant commitment. To make it easier, we offer flexible payment plans to suit your budget and ensure that you can benefit from the program without financial strain.
$2,497
Self Study
Perfect for those who prefer to learn and implement at their own pace, with all the tools and resources you need.
━ includes...
5-Pillars of a Killer Team Modules with over 25-Specialized Video Trainings
The Resource Vault With Over 20 PDF Downloads Supporting Every Aspect of Your Team Development Journey
A Step-By-Step Workbook and Resource Guide (coming soon)
MOST POPULAR
$4,997
Coaching - Mastery
Ideal for leaders who want personalized guidance and support to fully integrate the Killer Team Operating System™ into their organization.
━ includes everything in Self Study plus...
An initial organizational and leadership assessment
A personalized 1-1 coaching session with a dedicated coach
Weekly Live Masterclasses, Trainings, and Q/A with Shawn Lovejoy
Weekly 360º Coaching Pod with a dedicated coach
Featured interviews with industry experts sharing insights and best practices
Two VIP tickets to the 2-day Killer Team LIVE event
Have Any Questions?
Still have questions? Here are some of the most common inquiries we receive about the Killer Team University & Coaching program.
Can my team attend the sessions?
Yes, your team can attend certain parts of the program. While the personalized 1-1 coaching session is designed specifically for you, the group sessions and learning modules can be valuable for your entire team to participate in.
Is the Killer Team Coaching 1-1 or group-based?
The program includes an initial assessment and 1-1 coaching session with a Courage To Lead Coach, and weekly 360º Coaching Pods with a dedicated coach. Group sessions provide collaborative learning opportunities and tailored support to address your specific challenges and goals.
How often can I speak to my coach?
You will have an initial assessment and 1-1 session with your dedicated coach who will also be leading your 360º Coaching Pods. These sessions last approximately 45-60 minutes. Additionally, you can reach out to your coach on-demand via email, participate in weekly live training sessions, and engage in the community room for ongoing support and guidance.
Is there any support outside of the live sessions?
Yes, in addition to the live sessions, you will have access to the Killer Team Resource Vault, which includes over 20 PDF downloads. You will also have four personalized 1-1 coaching sessions with a dedicated coach to address specific challenges and refine your strategies.
What is the time commitment for this program?
The Killer Team Coaching program requires a time commitment of approximately 2-3 hours per week. This includes live training sessions, Q&A, and time spent implementing strategies and completing worksheets and assignments.
What if I can’t attend a live training session?
Don’t worry if you can’t make a live session; they will be available on-demand just minutes after the session concludes. You can watch the recordings at your convenience and still benefit from all the insights and teachings.
Are there payment plans available?
Yes, we offer flexible payment plans to make the program more accessible. You can choose a plan that fits your budget, ensuring that you can invest in your team's success without financial strain.
Don’t let another year go by struggling with the same challenges.
Start equipping your team to achieve your vision today.
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