Andy Stanley plans to step down from his two pastoral leadership positions at North Point in 2027, with longtime ministry leader Joel Thomas nominated to succeed him.

Stanley announced the transition Sunday, Oct. 18. The plan separates leadership of the Alpharetta-based church network from leadership of its North Point Community Church campus.

Congregants will decide whether Thomas, North Point Ministries’ executive director, becomes the network’s senior pastor on Jan. 1, 2027. The church’s published transition schedule lists June 1, 2027, for Thomas to assume the lead pastor position at North Point Community Church.

Stanley’s spoken announcement referred to a May handoff for the campus role, but the written timeline and FAQ specify June 1.

About 50,000 people are eligible to participate in the succession vote, Stanley said. Voting ends at 5 p.m. Oct. 30, and the church plans to announce the outcome during services Nov. 1.

North Point Ministries lists eight Atlanta-area churches, including East Cobb Church, which meets at 10965 Woodstock Road in Roswell.

Stanley, 68, said he and his wife, Sandra, began planning for his departure roughly four and a half years ago. More time with his grandchildren was among his reasons for making the change.

“I’m retiring from my job, but I’m not retiring from ministry,” he said.

The church says Stanley will remain in its preaching rotation and continue serving on the board of elders. He also intends to represent the network in work with other churches.

Thomas joined North Point as its first intern in 1998. His subsequent positions included leading North Point Community Church from 2011 to 2015 and Mission Community Church in Gilbert, Arizona. He returned in 2021 to lead Buckhead Church and became executive director of North Point Ministries in 2023.

The elders unanimously nominated Thomas. Stanley said the organization’s governing structure allows the board to dismiss a senior pastor for cause but requires congregational approval to install a successor.

The transition follows more than three decades of growth since Stanley launched North Point Community Church in November 1995.