Buzzapp Master 
In recent times, more churches, particularly megachurches are witnessing a new trend, children of prominent pastors taking over the mantle of leadership.
While this practice is not entirely new, its growing visibility raises questions about the nature of spiritual leadership. Is pastorship becoming hereditary? Should it be?
From father to son, and daughter tooWhen Pastor Taiwo Odukoya of The Fountain of Life Church passed away in August 2023, many mourned the loss of a revered spiritual leader. But within a few weeks, the church announced his son, Jimmy Odukoya, as the new senior pastor, with his daughter, Tolu Odukoya-Ijogun, appointed as Associate Senior Pastor.
Jimmy, already known as a Nollywood actor and motivational speaker, was now leading one of Nigeria’s most influential Pentecostal ministries.
Similarly, in the United States, Bishop T.D. Jakes recently made headlines after suffering a massive heart attack in late 2024. In April 2025, he formally announced his retirement from day-to-day leadership of The Potter’s House, handing over the reins to his daughter, Sarah Jakes Roberts, and her husband, Touré Roberts.
The couple had already built their own successful ministry but are now stepping into the legacy of Bishop Jakes, one of the most prominent figures in global Christianity.
These are not isolated cases. In Ghana, Dag Heward-Mills, founder of United Denominations Originating from the Lighthouse Group of Churches, has involved his children in ministry.
In Nigeria, Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church (Winners’ Chapel) has gradually been delegating significant roles to his sons. Though no formal handover has occurred, the signs are clear.
Is this biblical or cultural?Critics argue that hereditary succession shows the spiritual calling traditionally associated with pastoral leadership. After all, ministry is supposed to be based on divine calling, not bloodline.
They cite the example of Eli’s sons in the Bible who turned out to be corrupt priests as a cautionary tale about assuming spiritual authority simply due to lineage.
On the other hand, proponents of pastoral succession within families argue that it ensures continuity, preserves vision, and leverages years of mentoring.
They point to Timothy, mentored by Apostle Paul, and even King David’s instructions to his son Solomon as biblical precedents for passing down leadership, though not always within the church context.
In some churches, the process is more democratic. Elders, boards, or congregational votes determine who succeeds the pastor. But in charismatic and Pentecostal circles, the founder’s authority often extends to choosing their successor sometimes their own child.
It is more than just bloodlineTo be fair, many of these successors aren’t mere figureheads. Sarah Jakes Roberts, for instance, commands millions of followers across platforms and has authored bestselling books. Jimmy Odukoya had been involved in ministry behind the scenes for years before assuming leadership.
However, the concern remains: if spiritual leadership becomes increasingly hereditary, could it alienate genuinely called individuals who lack the “right” last name? Could it gradually shift churches from spiritual communities to dynastic institutions?
What I thinkThe pulpit isn’t a throne, and churches aren’t monarchies, at least they’re not supposed to be. While it’s not wrong for a pastor’s child to succeed them, it becomes problematic when the process ignores spiritual calling, preparation, and congregational needs.
Ultimately, whether pastorship becomes hereditary or not may depend on one key thing: transparency. If churches are open about their succession process and prioritize divine guidance over family ties, then perhaps the next generation of leaders whether children of pastors or not will be embraced for who they are, not just where they come from.
