Leaders in Living Rooms: Recent Episodes
Art of Leadership Network
When you’re invited into someone’s living room, you get privileged insights into their life that few others have access to. That’s the sort of intimate atmosphere of Leaders in Living Rooms. Start listening now for a behind-the-scenes peek into the lives of the leaders you love, follow, listen to, and read. New episodes drop every other week.
In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, host Sean Morgan sits down with author and leader Dave Ferguson to reflect on the lasting impact and evolving lessons of Hero Maker and kingdom multiplication. Dave challenges the misconception that becoming a "hero maker" means sacrificing leadership influence, showing instead that pouring into others is the key to compounding long-term kingdom impact. Together, they explore how effective ministry leaders change the way they keep score, shifting focus from Sunday attendance to tracking their sent "family tree" of church planters, and explain why adopting fresh leadership language is essential for reshaping organizational culture and future paradigms.Welcome to Episode 165 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
How do you step into the lead pastor role of a massive, multi-site urban church at a young age? In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, host Sean Morgan sits down with Josiah Jobe, lead pastor of New Life Community Church in Chicago. Spanning 26 locations, over 40 worship services, and utilizing multiple languages, New Life represents a highly complex and deeply scaled urban ministry. Josiah candidly shares his initially reluctant journey toward pastoral ministry, fighting a distinct call during his youth and navigating the immense pressure and expectations that come with following in the footsteps of his father, Mark Jobe. Together, they explore the profound lessons learned from watching a father's decision-making process, the critical baseline of matching public and private integrity, and how keeping strict structure at home ultimately fuels a leader's health for the ministry.Welcome to Episode 164 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
What happens when the pressure to perform as a ministry leader completely hollows out your internal world? In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean Morgan sits down with pastor, author, and former NFL player Dr. Derwin L. Gray for an incredibly raw and vital conversation on pastoral wholeness. Too many pastors are fluent in the language of emotional health but completely starving for a theology that transforms their real, everyday pain. Pulling from the insights of his upcoming book, It’s Time to Heal, Dr. Gray unpacks why your accomplishments can never fix your soul, how to navigate habitual patterns that keep you feeling stuck, and what it practically looks like to lead from a place of profound spiritual redemption rather than performance. If you are tired of pretending you are fine while carrying unaddressed wounds, this episode is a compassionate, urgent roadmap back to the heart of Jesus.Welcome to Episode 163 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
How do you transition a historic, world-changing church into a new season without losing its DNA? In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean Morgan sits down with Andy Wood, Senior Pastor of Saddleback Church, to pull back the curtain on the messy, rewarding reality of leading major institutional change. Andy shares his raw, firsthand experiences transitioning from planting a tight-knit congregation to navigating the vast scale of Saddleback. Together, they break down what it practically looks like to fuse a historic legacy of evangelism with a deeply rooted culture of prayer, providing leaders with a masterclass on navigating the loneliness of senior leadership, building scalable organizational systems, and pacing change at the "speed of trust."Welcome to Episode 162 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean Morgan sits down with Fr. James Mallon to explore what it really takes to move a church from maintenance to mission. Drawing from his experience revitalizing struggling parishes, Fr. James shares the realities of church turnaround, the weight of leadership, and the deep cultural shifts required to reclaim a missional identity. He unpacks the tension between shepherding and evangelism, the danger of inward-focused church culture, and the critical role of the Holy Spirit, leadership development, and intentional systems like Alpha in sparking renewal. This conversation offers both encouragement and practical wisdom for leaders navigating change and longing to see genuine transformation in their churches.Welcome to Episode 161 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean Morgan sits down with Josh Newell, Executive Director of the Jesus Film Project, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, growth, and global evangelism in the digital age. Josh shares how shifting from a centralized model to a partnership-driven approach has unlocked greater scale and impact, especially through digital platforms that connect people to real discipleship pathways. He opens up about the challenges of leading through growth, including getting ahead of your team, cultivating belief, and learning to wait on God’s timing. The conversation also explores why animation is a critical next step in reaching younger, global audiences and how leaders can build healthy, high-performing teams by balancing vision, patience, and trust. Ultimately, Josh points leaders back to dependence on Jesus as the foundation for lasting impact.Welcome to Episode 160 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean Morgan sits down with Jim Burgen to explore how senior leaders can cultivate vision, develop future leaders, and steward seasons of growth with intentionality and humility. Jim shares the story behind Flatirons Church’s “Be Free” faith initiative, a movement focused on establishing outposts of freedom, investing in leadership development, and engaging deeply in anti-trafficking efforts locally and globally. The conversation highlights the importance of resisting manufactured momentum, listening for God’s direction, and building structures that empower others while protecting the leader’s spiritual and emotional health. Jim also challenges pastors to create pathways for calling the next generation into ministry and to embrace both the weight and privilege of the mantle of leadership.Welcome to Episode 159 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean Morgan sits down with Ben Cachiaras, Lead Pastor of Mountain Christian Church, to explore the evolving landscape of church leadership, multi-site strategy, and disciple-making in today’s cultural context. Ben shares insights from nearly 30 years of ministry, including lessons learned from launching multiple campuses and cultivating both church planting and multi-site expressions of ministry. Together, they discuss the growing need for leadership development pipelines, the critical role of trust in healthy organizations, and the importance of clarity around mission and identity in a politically polarized culture. Ben also highlights Mountain Christian Church’s innovative community center model, demonstrating how holistic ministry can build trust within neighborhoods and create meaningful pathways for gospel impact.Welcome to Episode 158 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean Morgan welcomes back Mike Foster for a candid conversation about clarity, friction, leadership growth, and unlocking high performance. Mike unpacks why awareness alone isn’t enough, how leaders unintentionally create comfort zones that stall momentum, and why friction is essential for turning potential energy into kinetic energy. From navigating difficult conversations and team misalignment to understanding core motivation through The Seven Primal Questions, this conversation challenges leaders to embrace truth, sharpen communication, and build cultures where people thrive.Welcome to Episode 157 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean Morgan sits down with Sarah Jackson of Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) to explore church revitalization inside the Church of England, raising diverse leadership pipelines, and what many are calling a “silent revival” among young people in the UK. Sarah shares her personal story of coming to faith at 13 through Alpha, the bold vision behind HTB’s Church Revitalisation Trust, and the urgent mission to reverse church decline by planting and revitalizing 1,000 churches. From developing “Peter” and “Caleb” leadership streams to stories of university students encountering Jesus through dreams and social media, this conversation is both strategic and deeply spiritual, reminding leaders that while systems matter, revival ultimately belongs to the Holy Spirit.Welcome to Episode 156 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
In today’s episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean Morgan sits down with Bob Goff for a candid and refreshing conversation about leadership, identity, and returning to your “first love.” Bob unpacks the subtle ways leaders can drift into isolation—viewing people as projects rather than relationships—and shares practical, courageous ways to reset. From quitting his own law firm to encouraging teams to submit annual “mass resignations,” Bob challenges leaders to reapply for the job that is truly them. The conversation also explores his newest project, A Journey with Jesus, filmed in the Holy Land, designed to create safe spaces for honest conversations about faith. With humor, depth, and humility, Bob reminds leaders that we’re not chasing efficiency—we’re pursuing faithfulness.Welcome to Episode 155 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean Morgan sits down with Nicky Gumbel to discuss the global acceleration of Alpha, leadership succession, church planting, and the essential role of spiritual leadership in the church today. As Alpha approaches its 50th anniversary and looks toward the 2033 vision—the 2,000-year anniversary of Jesus’ death and resurrection—Nicky shares how new, fully contextualized film series in Chinese, Arabic, Spanish, and African languages are expanding Alpha’s reach worldwide. He reflects on handing leadership to the next generation, the power of church planting to create healthy growth, and why pastors must resist being defined by business models rather than by spiritual leadership. Welcome to Episode 154 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
What happens when a leader chooses obedience over comfort and creates space for the Holy Spirit to move? In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean Morgan sits down with Jeff Brodie to unpack a remarkable season at Connexus Church that began with five years of quiet wrestling in prayer and culminated in a week of corporate repentance, renewal, and deep encounter with God. Without a playbook, branding strategy, or polished program, Jeff led his church into a posture of “shameless persistence” (Luke 11), creating space for confession, freedom, and the work of the Holy Spirit. Welcome to Episode 153 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean Morgan sits down with Carey Nieuwhof to unpack one of the most significant moments facing the Church today: a rising Gen Z openness to faith paired with a looming leadership and succession crisis. Drawing from recent data, lived experience, and decades of leadership development, Carey challenges older generations to release authority sooner, create real opportunities for younger leaders, and rethink how leadership is developed—not just trained. The conversation also tackles under-discussed trends, including the quiet disengagement of women from church life, the creator economy’s impact on ministry, and what it truly means to build organizations that grow beyond their founders.Welcome to Episode 152 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, host Sean Morgan sits down with Randy Frazee and Jonathan Hansen for an honest, in-the-middle conversation about church leadership succession. Drawing from their shared experience at Westside Family Church, Randy and Jonathan reflect on what makes succession healthy, why intentional overlap and trust matter, and how culture, governance, humility, and love shape long-term success. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real tensions, decisions, and relational work required when leadership changes hands and why succession is not the end of leadership, but its fulfillment.Welcome to Episode 151 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
As the church enters a new season of ministry in 2026, this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms invites leaders to re-examine what they think they know about multisite ministry. Sean Morgan is joined by Warren Bird and Jim Tomberlin to explore how the multisite movement has quietly shifted from simple replication into a multiplying, movement-driven model focused on discipleship, innovation, and the Great Commission. Together, they unpack common critiques of multisite churches, highlight emerging “pacesetter” churches shaping the future, and preview an ambitious national research project designed to equip churches navigating growth, complexity, and mission at scale.Welcome to Episode 150 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean Morgan sits down with Jonathan Moynihan, Lead Pastor of Mosaic Christian Church in Baltimore, to explore a leadership journey shaped more by formation than ambition. Jonathan shares how what he once assumed was a call to church planting unexpectedly became a rapid succession into the lead pastor role—after years of hidden preparation, inner work, and confronting unhealthy ambition. Together, Sean and Jonathan unpack themes of calling versus opportunity, the dangers of tying worth to performance, and how silence, solitude, and failure became essential tools God used to form Jonathan into a healthier, more grounded leader. This honest conversation offers a rare look at the interior life of leadership, reminding pastors that God’s primary work is often deeper than visible success.Welcome to Episode 149 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean Morgan sits down with longtime pastor and Oikos Movement founder Tom Mercer to unpack nearly four decades of ministry leadership at High Desert Church and the relational principles that shaped a church of 8,000 in rural Southern California. Tom shares candid stories about longevity, accountability, team chemistry, leadership development, and how the Oikos principle, reaching the world through the natural relationships God has already placed around us, became the backbone of High Desert Church’s growth. From navigating criticism and facility challenges to building a healthy staff culture grounded in prayer and friendship, Tom offers practical, grounded wisdom for leaders pursuing disciple-making and sustainable ministry.Welcome to Episode 148 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
In this episode, Sean sits down with Justin Kendrick, planter and pastor of Vox Church in New England, to explore the heart behind multi-site ministry, leadership development, and the surprising move of God happening across one of the least-churched regions in the U.S. Justin shares his journey from musician to church planter, the early chaos of scaling locations without systems, and the intentional shift toward forming leaders through habits of the heart rather than skills alone. He unpacks Vox’s leader-development process, the power of life-on-life discipleship, and the humbling lessons learned along the way. Their conversation offers a rare and honest look at building a movement while staying grounded in accountability, character, and focus.Welcome to Episode 147 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
In this episode, Sean sits down with veteran executive pastor Dan Reiland, who served alongside John Maxwell and Kevin Myers for over four decades. Dan shares stories from his journey, from "breaking" John Maxwell’s internship to helping lead one of the largest churches in the U.S., and offers wisdom for both lead and executive pastors navigating partnership, trust, and longevity in ministry. Sean and Dan unpack the key traits of great executive pastors, the difference between equipping and developing, and the vital role prayer plays in church leadership.
Welcome to Episode 146 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
danreiland.com
danreiland.com/blog
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition, or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS DAN REILAND?
Dan Reiland is a leadership coach and church strategist who brings decades of local church experience to his current ministry focus of helping leaders excel. Dan partnered with Kevin Myers as XP at 12Stone Church for 24 years and previously partnered with John Maxwell as XP at Skyline Church for 20 years. Dan has written several books and regularly blogs at DanReiland.com.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/.
When Jimmy Scroggins stepped into leadership at a struggling legacy church in West Palm Beach, the odds were stacked against him. Financial collapse, reputational damage, and years without a pastor created a make-or-break moment for both him and the congregation. In this episode, Jimmy unpacks the hard lessons learned from rebuilding Family Church—from selling property and cutting programs to developing leaders and launching 20 neighborhood campuses across South Florida. He and Sean discuss urgent leadership decisions, engaging high-capacity givers, staying teachable, and building multisite systems that actually work.
Welcome to Episode 145 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Jimmy Scroggins
Family Church
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition, or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS JIMMY SCROGGINS?
Jimmy Scroggins is the lead pastor of Family Church in South Florida, where he has served since July 2008. He and his wife, Kristin, have eight children and lots of grandchildren. Family Church is a family of neighborhood churches and schools across three counties in three languages. Jimmy is the author of The Very Good News Storybook Bible, The Education Reformation, Full Circle Parenting, and Turning Everyday Conversations into Gospel Conversations and hosted the Church for the Rest of Us podcast at familychurchnetwork.com. He also serves on the Board of Trustees at Palm Beach Atlantic University and Liberty University. Dr. Scroggins is a visiting professor at Southern and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminaries.
In this episode, Sean Morgan sits down with pastor and author Glenn Packiam to talk about what may be the beginnings of revival, especially among younger generations, and how church leaders can steward this moment well. Glenn unpacks new Barna data showing a rise in commitment to Jesus, explores the cultural shifts from militant atheism to curious skepticism, and shares how pastors can respond with humility, connection, and prayer. From hybrid discipleship models to the growing priority of authentic connection over polished content, Glenn gives practical insight into how leaders can meet people where they are, create spaces of encounter, and invite Jesus to “take over” in their churches.
Welcome to Episode 144 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
What’s a Christian, Anyway?, by Glenn Packiam
Barna Group
Rock Harbor Church
Alpha
Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God, by Gordon D. Fee
Gift and Giver, by Craig S. Keener
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition, or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS GLENN PACKIAM?
Glenn Packiam is the Lead Pastor of Rockharbor Church in Costa Mesa, California, and a Senior Fellow at Barna Group. He is the author of, “What’s a Christian, Anyway? Finding Our Way in an Age of Confusion and Corruption” (March, 2025), along with eight other books, including two bestsellers—“The Resilient Pastor” and “The Intentional Year” which he co-authored with his wife, Holly. He earned a Doctorate in Theology and Ministry from Durham University, England. Glenn and Holly have four children and live in Orange County, California.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/.
In today’s episode, Sean welcomes Danny Anderson, lead pastor and author of How to Grow Your Church Without Losing Your Soul. Danny shares the heart behind his new book, shaped by his own leadership journey and a desire to help pastors avoid burnout, moral failure, and misplaced identity. Together, Sean and Danny unpack the importance of soul care, Sabbath, healthy friendships, and leadership practices that sustain both personal integrity and church growth. This conversation is a candid and practical guide for leaders who want to build thriving churches while staying deeply rooted in Christ.
Welcome to Episode 143 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Ordering Your Private World, by Gordon MacDonald
The Divine Conspiracy, by Dallas Willard
Renovation of the Heart, by Dallas Willard
The Great Omission, by Dallas Willard
Abba’s Child, by Brennan Manning
Into the Heart of Romans, by N.T. Wright
Essentialism, by Greg McKeown
Who Not How, by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy
Church Growth Unleashed: How to Grow Your Church Without Losing Your Soul, by Danny Anderson
Emmanuel Church
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition, or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS DANNY ANDERSON?
Danny is the lead pastor of Emmanuel Church, a multisite church with 8 locations in Central Indiana. He is now in his 20th year as the lead pastor of Emmanuel. He is a graduate of Liberty University and the author of Church Growth Unleashed: How to Grow Your Church without Losing Your Soul as well as the host of The Church Growth Unleashed Podcast. He is also a coach to other pastors and leaders across the country who wish to seek growth in a healthy way. Danny has been married to his wife Jackie for 26 years and they have three young adult children. When he's not prepping a sermon or writing you can usually find him shooting baskets or recovering in the sauna.
In this episode, Sean Morgan sits down with Josh Rhodes and Tim Haring to discuss the succession journey at Chestnut Ridge Church. After 40 years of ministry, founding pastor Tim reflects on preparing the church for life beyond his leadership, while Josh shares how their long-term relationship and shared heartbeat for reaching people made the transition possible. Together, they explore humility, outside counsel, and the intentional communication strategies that helped their church navigate succession with unity and hope for the future.
Welcome to Episode 142 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Chestnut Ridge Church
When God Walked Alone, by Tim Haring
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition, or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS JOSH RHODES?
Josh is the Senior Pastor at Chestnut Ridge Church in Morgantown, West Virginia. He grew up as a pastor’s kid in the northern panhandle town of Weirton and has always loved his home state — especially the pepperoni rolls, state parks, and WVU Mountaineer sports. He married his high school sweetheart, Hillary, and together they have four children — Sephora, Levi, Pierce, and Micah — and have been a licensed foster family since 2021. Since 2007, Josh has served in full-time ministry at Chestnut Ridge Church and LCBC Church in Pennsylvania, leading in student, college, and adult ministries. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies and Pastoral Ministry from Lancaster Bible College in 2005 and a Master of Theology from Biblical Theological Seminary in 2014. He also completed the Ridge ordination program and was affirmed as an ordained elder and pastor in September 2020. After a multi-year succession plan, Founding Pastor Tim Haring passed the senior pastor baton to Josh on September 29, 2024. Today, Pastor Tim and Josh enjoy serving alongside one another in this new season at The Ridge.
WHO IS TIM HARING
Tim Haring is the Founding Pastor of Chestnut Ridge Church and served as its Senior Pastor for 40 years before passing on his responsibilities to Pastor Josh Rhodes. During the 40 years of ministry, Chestnut Ridge Church eventually became the largest church in the state of West Virginia and has helped plant four additional churches in the state. Tim has a Pastoral Studies Degree, Greek Emphasis, from Moody Bible Institute and a Business Degree from the West Virginia University. He has been married for 37 years and has five children and three grandchildren. Tim is currently serving in a part time capacity at the church. He is also coaching other pastors, writing his second book and speaking at conferences.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/.
In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean Morgan sits down with Joel Thomas, Lead Pastor at Buckhead Church and senior leader at North Point Ministries. Joel shares his unique journey into ministry, lessons from his time at North Point and Mission Community Church, and the leadership insights he’s gained along the way. From the power of investing in young leaders, to discerning between turnaround and realignment, to navigating succession in a large church context, Joel offers wisdom for leaders at every stage.
Welcome to Episode 141 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition, or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS JOEL THOMAS?
Joel Thomas is the director of NPM, providing point leadership for the NPM Directional Team. Joel is also lead pastor of Buckhead Church, where he provides visionary and directional leadership for the staff and congregation. Joel began his ministry career as the first intern of North Point Ministries in 1998, then served in college, singles, and married adult ministries before becoming the lead pastor of North Point Community Church in 2011. In 2015, Joel and his family moved to Arizona where Joel served as senior pastor of Mission Community Church for almost seven years before returning to the Atlanta area to rejoin the North Point Ministries team. Joel and his wife, Jenn, aspire to finish life together having experienced an abundance of faith, love, and fun along the way with their four amazing children: Talan, Gentry, Kason, and Nixon.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/.
In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean Morgan sits down with author, counselor, and leadership mentor Chip Dodd to unpack the “Five Pitfalls of Leadership.” Drawing on decades of experience leading leaders and running the Center for Professional Excellence, Chip explores how work can become confused with worth, why performance often overshadows presence, and how leaders slip into isolation and secrecy. He unpacks the role of humility, healthy dependency, and vulnerability in sustaining authentic leadership—reminding us that leaders must remain learners to stay effective.
Welcome to Episode 140 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
chipdodd.com
Living with Heart podcast
The Voice of the Heartand Needs of the Heart, by Chip Dodd
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition, or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS CHIP DODD?
Dr. Chip Dodd has spent his entire career guiding thousands of professionals and their families through the struggles of their lives and into the lives they were created to have. In 1996, Dr. Dodd founded a treatment center in Nashville, Tennessee called The Center for Professional Excellence (CPE), and spent the next 22 years serving as its Executive Director. CPE was a powerfully effective treatment center that helped thousands get recovery of their hearts. Since selling CPE in 2017, Dr. Dodd has worked in private practice doing consulting, mentoring, speaking, counseling, as well as writing. He began Chip Dodd Resources in 2019.
In 1991, Dr. Dodd developed The Spiritual Root System (SRS). It is a simple and effective way of seeing how we are made, and integrating how we are made into the lives we desire. The SRS’s foundational essence is based on the awareness that we are created as emotional and spiritual creatures, created to live fully through relationship with ourselves, others, and God.
Dr. Dodd’s first book, The Voice of the Heart, was published in 2001. This seminal work teaches the importance of feelings as tools and gifts that can assist us in living fully. This book continues to impact people’s lives all over the world. All of Dr. Dodd’s books speak to our desire to live fully, love deeply, and lead well.
Dr. Dodd attained an M.A. in English from the University of Mississippi in 1985. In 1990, Dr. Dodd completed his Ph.D. in Counseling at the University of North Texas. While living in Texas, he co-founded Bent Tree Counseling Center in Dallas and served as its Clinical Director before relocating to the Nashville area.
Dr. Dodd married his high school sweetheart in 1983. They have two grown sons and two precious daughters-in-law. They currently live in Middle Tennessee.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/.
In this episode, Sean Morgan welcomes back Aaron Brockett, Lead Pastor of Traders Point Christian Church, for a transparent and wisdom-packed conversation on leadership growth through seasons of ministry. Aaron shares candid reflections on lessons learned from church planting, staff alignment, team culture, and navigating organizational challenges. From culture as "the oil in the engine" to handling conflict with clarity and grace, this episode offers practical wisdom for leaders in any season. Whether you're transitioning, scaling, or seeking alignment, Aaron’s journey offers clarity and encouragement.
Welcome to Episode 139 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
STARS model, by Michael D. Watkins
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition, or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS AARON BROCKETT?
Aaron Brockett is the lead pastor of Traders Point Christian Church in Indianapolis. Since he joined the church in 2007, it has grown from 1,500 people in one location to more than 10,000 people in four locations, earning recognition as one of the fastest growing churches in the U.S.from Outreach Magazine.
He is passionate about removing unnecessary barriers that keep people from Jesus, just as the men in Mark 2 “wrecked the roof” in order to get the paralytic to Jesus. “Jesus says, ‘I will draw all men and women to myself.’ Therefore, He is the only one who can change anyone. “Our responsibility as a church is to get those people to Him and let Him do what only He can,” Aaron has said.
Aaron has contributed to several books and articles and serves as a board member of the Orchard Group, a worldwide church-planting organization. He and his wife, Lindsay, have dedicated their lives to seeing people all over the world come to know, trust, and follow Jesus. They have four great kids and a silver lab named Winston.
In today’s episode, Sean sits down with Ted Coniaris and Dave Ferguson of COMMUNITY to explore healthy succession plans in church leadership. Ted, a former church planter turned lead pastor apprentice, shares his journey from Greek Orthodox roots to executive leadership. Dave, the founding pastor and now CEO of Exponential, reflects on stepping back, championing Ted, and why a leadership handoff rooted in humility, clarity, and trust works. Together, they reveal the intentional 18-month apprenticeship model they followed—complete with timelines, vision handoffs, and mutual respect. If you're navigating leadership transitions in your church, this episode is full of practical wisdom and encouragement.
Welcome to Episode 138 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Exponential
COMMUNITY
Hero Maker, by Dave Ferguson
BLESS, by Dave Ferguson
@fergusondave
@tedconiaris
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition, or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS DAVE FERGUSON?
Dave Ferguson is the founding pastor of COMMUNITY, a multi-expression missional community that is passionate about “helping people find their way back to God.” COMMUNITY has grown from a few college friends to reaching thousands of people in Chicagoland and around the world. Dave is the CEO/President of Exponential; a catalyst for developing multipliers and church planting globally. He is an award-winning author of books that include The Big Idea, Exponential, On The Verge, Finding Your Way Back To God, Starting Over, Hero Maker and most recently B.L.E.S.S. 5 Everyday Ways to Love Your Neighbor and Change the World. Dave and his best friend Sue are parents to three adult kids they are crazy about. Feel free to email him with questions, ideas, or introductions at daveferguson@exponential.org Website: daveferguson.org. X: @daveferguson. Instagram: @fergusondave.
WHO IS TED CONIARIS?
Ted Coniaris is the Lead Pastor of COMMUNITY. He grew up in a second-generation Greek community in Minneapolis and first sensed a call to ministry within the Greek Orthodox Church. After transitioning to Protestant ministry, Ted served in various teaching and executive leadership roles before planting a new location through COMMUNITY. Over the past seven years, he’s taken on increasing leadership responsibilities—overseeing locations, expressions, and serving on the lead team—before stepping into his current role through an intentional 18-month apprenticeship process.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/.
In this episode, Sean welcomes back Rev. Eugene Cho, President and CEO of Bread for the World. Together, they unpack the complex reality of leading during the worst global hunger crisis in over 50 years. Eugene reflects on his unexpected entry into this season of leadership, the global challenges impacting food security, and the Church’s vital role in advocacy and compassionate engagement. He also shares personal rhythms for staying healthy, strategic, and spiritually grounded in high-capacity leadership.
Welcome to Episode 137 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Instagram: @eugenecho
https://www.bread.org/
Email: eugenecho@bread.org
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition, or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS EUGENE CHO?
Rev. Eugene Cho is President/CEO of Bread for the World, a collective Christian voice including individuals, churches, non-profits, and other partners, who work together to urge our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and around the world by changing the policies and programs that allow hunger to persist. Eugene’s passions involve leadership, justice, the intersection of faith and public life, and the pursuit of God’s Kingdom here on this earth. He travels throughout the world to encourage churches, non-profits, pastors, leaders, missionaries, and justice workers. Before coming to Bread for the World in 2020, Eugene founded and for 18 years served as senior pastor of Quest Church, an urban, multi-cultural and multi-generational church in Seattle, Washington. Eugene is also the founder and visionary of One Day’s Wages (ODW) — a grassroots movement of people, stories, and actions to alleviate extreme global poverty. The vision of ODW is to create a collaborative movement that promotes awareness, invites simple giving (one day’s wages), and supports sustainable relief through partnerships, especially with small organizations in developing regions. Eugene and Minhee have been married for nearly 25 years and have three children. Together, they live in Seattle, Washington and will be making a move to the Washington, DC area.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/.
In Part 2 of the team momentum series, Sean Morgan talks through the essential topic of alignment—what it looks like, why it matters, and how leaders can cultivate it within their teams. Drawing from real-life leadership challenges, Sean outlines three core causes of misalignment and offers practical strategies to bring clarity, prioritize what matters most, and install or improve systems that support team momentum. Plus, he shares a bonus insight on dealing with people who are misaligned and how to address it with both courage and care.
Welcome to Episode 136 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition, or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS SEAN MORGAN?
Sean started out in ministry serving in a San Francisco area church plant as their Executive Pastor. He went on to help coach and consult with church leaders across the country and eventually founded The Ascent Leader, a first-of-its-kind organization focusing on relational leadership development for local church pastors. He also hosts the Leaders In Living Rooms podcast. Sean recently retired from a 26-year career as a KC-10 pilot in the US Air Force Reserve. His favorite titles are “Stacy’s husband” and “Kaylee and Ayden’s dad.”
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/.
In this solo episode, Sean Morgan explores the foundational steps of building and maintaining a high-horsepower team that drives momentum instead of losing it. Drawing from personal leadership reflections and ministry insights, Sean unpacks five key practices that separate stagnant teams from thriving ones. Whether you're leading a church staff, a volunteer crew, or an executive board, these principles will challenge and equip you to lead with clarity, courage, and purpose. This is part one of a two-part series on building momentum.
Welcome to Episode 135 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition, or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS SEAN MORGAN?
Sean started out in ministry serving in a San Francisco area church plant as their Executive Pastor. He went on to help coach and consult with church leaders across the country and eventually founded The Ascent Leader, a first-of-its-kind organization focusing on relational leadership development for local church pastors. He also hosts the Leaders In Living Rooms podcast. Sean recently retired from a 26-year career as a KC-10 pilot in the US Air Force Reserve. His favorite titles are “Stacy’s husband” and “Kaylee and Ayden’s dad.”
In this episode, Sean Morgan talks with Randy Frazee, a seasoned pastor with over 36 years of ministry experience. They explore the challenges and opportunities of pastoral transitions, from overcoming the fear of identity loss to finding purpose beyond the pulpit. Randy shares insights on building a healthy church culture, maintaining a strong marriage in ministry, and setting up a successful succession plan. If you're navigating a leadership transition or preparing for a new season in ministry, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and personal stories to guide you.
Welcome to Episode 134 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
randyfrazee.com
https://www.westsidefamily.church/
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition, or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS RANDY FRAZEE?
Randy Frazee is a pastor, author, coach, and consultant. He is the architect of The Story and Believe Bible engagement campaigns and has published numerous books including, The Heart of the Story, What Happens After You Die, His Mighty Strength, and The Joy Challenge. Randy has been married to Rozanne, his high school sweetheart for over forty years. Together they have four grown children and five grandchildren and counting. To learn more about Randy’s work, check out randyfrazee.com.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/.
In this episode, Sean sits down with Danny from Three Crosses Church to explore how God births fresh vision in the heart of a leader—and what happens when that vision begins to take root. Danny reflects on the evolution of his leadership after seven years as lead pastor, the sabbatical that created space for new direction, and the spiritual and strategic clarity that followed. Together, they discuss the tension between patience and boldness, the challenge of stewarding legacy churches with missional urgency, and the dream of seeing 35 new gospel expressions across the Bay Area by 2035. Whether you're wrestling with vision, longing for renewal, or wondering if it's time for something new, this conversation will stir your soul.
Welcome to Episode 133 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
http://www.3crosses.church
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition, or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS DANNY STRANGE?
Danny Strange leads 3Crosses Church in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he has been serving as Senior Pastor since 2019. His journey with 3Crosses began much earlier—he was saved there as a high school student in 1997 when classmates prayed for him daily and persistently invited him to youth group. Danny heard God's unexpected call to ministry while applying to business school at UC Berkeley, and he hasn't looked back since. After joining the 3Crosses staff in 2000, Danny served in various capacities including 10 years in Student Ministries before transitioning to Family Pastor and Executive Pastor roles. His education includes a BA in Sociology from UC Berkeley, a ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a DMin from Western Seminary, where his dissertation merged the fields of Story Formation with Expository Preaching—research inspired by a lead storyboarder from Pixar who attended his church. Danny and his wife Jessica have been married since 2003 and are raising six children together: four biological boys ranging from middle school to college age, and twin girls they adopted through the foster care system in their county.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/.
In this candid episode, Sean sits down with Steve Clifford and Jay Kim to unpack the multi-year leadership transition at Westgate Church. With honesty and humility, Steve and Jay share how they navigated timing, succession, and the evolving dynamics of leadership, both spiritually and practically. They talk about the emotional tension of letting go and stepping up, the importance of relationship and trust, and what it really takes to support the incoming leader. Plus, they reflect on how embracing discomfort and obscurity is essential for a healthy baton pass. Whether you're a pastor planning a transition or a church leader walking alongside one, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom and hope.
Welcome to Episode 132 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Jay Kim’s Website
Gaining By Losing, by J.D. Greear
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition, or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS STEVE CLIFFORD?
Steve has served the Bay Area for over 30 years as a pastor with the last 21 years spent at Westgate church. Through his leadership, Westgate has grown from 300 to 2500 and he has helped generate a generous mindset in this church where it has gone from giving a few thousand dollars a year away to giving away $2 million a year. He has led this community through building campaigns. Under his leadership Westgate has planted 2 churches and helped countless others by his involvement in the South Bay Pastors Network (SBPN) and his being a founding board member of TBC (https://www.tbc.city). He and his wife Dana also bring the unique perspective of doing ministry as a team and have served in that capacity for almost 20 years. Dana served as pastor at Westgate for 15+ years and was the campus pastor for our largest campus for over 5 years. Finally, Steve and Dana have led Westgate through a succession transition and placed Jay Kim as the new lead pastor of Westgate, freeing up Steve and Dana to now invest in pastors around the Bay Area. They are grandparents to two great g’kids and Dana is currently working on a Spiritual Direction Certificate.
WHO IS JAY KIM?
Jay Y. Kim serves as lead pastor at WestGate Church in the Silicon Valley of California. He's the author of Analog Christian, Analog Church, and Listen Listen Speak. Some of his written work has been featured in Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Missio Alliance, and Relevant Magazine. Jay also hosts IVP's Digital Examen podcast. He resides in Silicon Valley with his family.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/.
In this powerful episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean sits down with Bert Crabbe, lead pastor of True North Community Church on Long Island. Bert opens up about two decades of ministry, the challenges of pastoring through personal hardship, and the importance of leading with humility and authenticity. He shares his unique approach to preaching preparation, the power of coaching, and why pace, presence, and perseverance matter more than polish. Whether you’re navigating a hard season or looking to sharpen your preaching, this episode offers encouragement and practical insights to help you stay faithful and focused in ministry.
Welcome to Episode 131 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
The Preacher’s Lens
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition, or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS BERT CRABBE?
Bert Crabbe is the founding and lead pastor of True North Community Church in Long Island, New York. With over two decades of preaching experience, he’s passionate about helping communicators grow through honest feedback and practical tools. Bert is the creator of Preacher’s Lens, a coaching platform that equips pastors and ministry leaders to become more effective and authentic in the pulpit.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean Morgan welcomes back researcher and church leadership expert Warren Bird for a candid conversation on what makes ministry leaders resilient over the long haul. Drawing from decades of experience and groundbreaking research, Warren unpacks the transformative impact of intentional peer groups, the dangers of isolation, and the importance of shifting from solo leadership to shared, team-based leadership models. Whether you're a lead pastor, planter, or ministry leader at any level, this conversation offers practical wisdom on how to thrive, not just survive, in ministry.
Welcome to Episode 130 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Warren Bird
Becoming a Future-Ready Church, by Daniel Yang, Adelle M. Banks, and Warren Bird
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition, or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS WARREN BIRD?
Warren Bird, Ph.D., is widely quoted in the media as America's leading scholar on large churches. His current research project is “The Future of the Large Church.” Recent research includes “New Faces of Church Planting” and “Do Online Services Lead to In-Person Disciples?” Warren is author/coauthor of 35 for church leaders including Becoming a Future-Ready Church (trends), Hero Maker (leadership development), Next (healthy succession), Better Together (mergers) and How to Break Church Growth Barriers. He is widely quoted in the press as the leading researcher and writer on large-church health and growth. He has served as church planter, staff pastor, and seminary professor. He and his college-sweetheart wife live in metro New York City.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/.
In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean welcomes Johnson Bowie, lead pastor of Victory Church, to share his leadership journey. From stepping into the lead role during the chaos of 2020 to navigating staff transitions and fostering a culture of humility, Johnson offers candid insights on leadership, church transitions, and the weight of words in executive roles. Whether you’re a pastor in transition or leading a team, this conversation is packed with wisdom on faithfulness, leadership challenges, and staying mission-focused.
Welcome to Episode 129 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Spiritual Leadership, by J. Oswald Sanders
A Hero’s Farewell, by Jeffrey Sonnenfeld
@johnsonbowie
https://victoryatl.com/
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition, or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS JOHNSON BOWIE?
Johnson Bowie is Senior Pastor of Victory Church, a thriving church with 4 campuses in the metro-Atlanta area and house churches around the globe. Victory Church is known for its diversity as it has grown to over 140 nationalities. Johnson and his wife, Summer, began attending Victory in 1998, came on staff in 2005, planted Victory’s first campus in 2010, and transitioned into the role of senior pastors in August of 2020. Johnson and Summer have two wonderful sons, Jeremiah and Isaac. Johnson is a graduate of the University of Georgia and a master’s degree from Wheaton College. He loves to jog, take walks with his wife, learn more about Jesus, and partake of the occasional Xbox binge!
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
In this episode, Sean sits down with Jason Mitchell, lead pastor of LCBC Church, to discuss his leadership journey, the challenges of succession, and the evolving role of the church in today's culture. Jason shares his personal faith story, the intentional process behind his transition to lead pastor, and the importance of emotionally mature leadership. He also highlights the current spiritual hunger in communities and LCBC’s focus on reaching Pennsylvania, investing in the next generation, and engaging in local and global initiatives.
Welcome to Episode 128 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition, or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS JASON MITCHELL?
Jason is the Senior Pastor at LCBC (Lives Changed By Christ) Church. LCBC is a thriving church with 24 locations across Pennsylvania. Jason is passionate about keeping the church focused on the relentless pursuit of introducing more people to Jesus and together following him with their lives. He’s also the author of “No Easy Jesus: How the Most Difficult Choices Lead to the Greatest Life”.
Jason and his wife Jenny have three kids and live in Manheim, Pennsylvania. Spend some time in the Mitchell house and you’ll find a lot of coffee, a lot of books, a full family calendar, and a whole lot of swag representing the University of Alabama Crimson Tide!
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/.
Church leadership transitions are complex and require intentionality, humility, and a clear vision. For Adam and Diego Mesa, their transition was shaped by a long preparation period, a willingness to embrace change, and a commitment to mission over methods. They address leadership shifts that must be handled with care, clarity in roles and expectations, and the role of trust and humility. While challenges inevitably arise, a well-structured transition that prioritizes the church’s long-term health can lead to a lasting impact.
Welcome to Episode 127 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
@amesa
@pastor_diego
https://diegomesa.org/
Beyond the Letter Podcast
https://www.patria.church/
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition, or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS ADAM MESA?
Adam Mesa is a pastor, entrepreneur & creative consultant. Pastor Adam studied biblical studies and theology at Life Pacific University and the Masters University. As Lead Pastor, he helped expand and establish the culture of Patria, where he currently speaks to a congregation of 12,000 members. Being born and raised at Patria, Adam has a continued passion to make disciples of the next generation. Cultivating an atmosphere that all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds can find a relationship with Jesus Christ. Additionally, Pastor Adam also hosts a podcast called Beyond the Letter that empowers Christians to live their everyday life following Jesus and a culture that’s ever changing as well as hosts Beyond I Do, a marriage and relationship podcast with his wife, Ashlee. Pastor Adam and Ashlee live in Southern California with their two sons, Matthias and Thomas.
WHO IS DIEGO MESA?
Pastor Diego Mesa and his wife, Cindy, founded Abundant Living Family Church (ALFC) in 1994, starting with 12 people in their home. The church grew into a 30-acre campus in Rancho Cucamonga, now known as Patria Church, led by their son Adam and his wife, Ashlee. Diego and Cindy remain active as Founding Pastors.
A former triathlete, Diego was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer in 2008 and miraculously healed, inspiring his Health Initiative Revolution. He has authored multiple books, including How to Dream When You’re Told You’re Going to Die and 44 Habits to Hack Life. He also serves as a chaplain and board president at United Christian Academy. His ministry focuses on faith, health, and practical biblical teaching.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Jim Sheppard joins Sean to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing churches today: attendance is up, but giving is not. Jim shares insights from decades of experience helping churches develop a culture of generosity. They dive into why giving must be seen as a discipleship issue rather than a financial transaction, how churches can shift the conversation in practical ways, and what pastors should and shouldn’t delegate in stewardship leadership. Whether you’re a church leader navigating financial challenges or looking to build a more generous congregation, this conversation is packed with wisdom you won’t want to miss.
Welcome to Episode 126 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition, or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS JIM SHEPPARD?
Jim Sheppard is the CEO & Principal of Generis, a consulting firm dedicated to helping churches inspire generosity through giving development, coaching, and strategy. A former financial executive and CPA, Jim transitioned from the corporate world to church giving development in 1991. For over 27 years, he has coached pastors in overcoming financial challenges—annual giving, debt, capital projects, and planned giving—helping churches raise over $1.7 billion. A passionate student of generosity, Jim co-authored Contagious Generosity and frequently speaks on ministry funding. He and his wife, Nancy, live in the Atlanta area and have two married daughters.
Instagram: @jim_sheppard | @generisteam
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/.
Today, Sean welcomes Sandy Millar, a renowned figure in the Holy Trinity Brompton movement and the Alpha course. Sandy shares his remarkable journey from law to ministry, driven by transformative experiences with the Holy Spirit. He reflects on the foundation of the Alpha course, the rise of charismatic renewal within the Anglican Church, and the significance of humility and loyalty in leadership. Sandy underscores the essence of faith-led ministry, offering insights for pastors navigating challenges, fostering community, and leaning on God's overarching plan.
Welcome to Episode 125 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Alpha Course Resources:Explore Alpha Course
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS SANDY MILLAR?
Sandy Millar is married to Annette and they have four children and eight grandchildren. He practiced as a barrister for ten years before being ordained and served as a Curate at Holy Trinity Brompton in London under 2 vicars before changing places with the latter one. He was Vicar there for 20 years after that and worked closely with Nicky Gumbel on Alpha before moving to three parishes in North London. During that time he was consecrated as a Bishop in Uganda. He remains an Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Dioceses of London and St Edmundsbury. He is retired and they live in Suffolk.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
"The beauty of leadership is knowing when to embrace both change and continuity, molding the future while honoring the past." Meet Glenn Packiam, lead pastor at Rockharbor Church in Costa Mesa. In this episode, Glenn shares his journey as a lead pastor, his transition to Rockharbor, and his philosophy on leadership and vision casting. He reflects on the unique challenges of leading a church with a rich history while crafting its future identity. Glenn also discusses the weight of leadership, the importance of preaching with purpose, and the value of collaboration, vision, and unity in ministry.
Welcome to Episode 124 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Pre-order Glenn’s new book! whatsachristiananyway.com
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS GLENN PACKIAM?
Glenn Packiam is the Lead Pastor of Rockharbor Church in Costa Mesa, California. Glenn is the author of several books, including The Resilient Pastor, Blessed Broken Given, and the most recent title, co-authored with his wife, Holly, “The Intentional Year”. He earned a Doctorate in Theology and Ministry from Durham University, and is a Senior Fellow at Barna Group, a Visiting Fellow at St. John’s College at Durham University, and an ordained priest with the Anglican Church of North America. Glenn has written over 65 worship songs published with Integrity Music, including “Your Name", co-written with Paul Baloche. Glenn and Holly have four children and live in Orange County, California.
"When you’re not clear on your vision, your culture, or your strategy, and things get out of alignment, bringing it back into alignment will come with a lot of pain. But once you get there, you’ll wonder how you ever existed without that alignment.” Meet Jesse DeYoung, Executive Lead Pastor of Flatirons Church. Today’s discussion is all about the critical topic of organizational doubt and its impact on church leadership. Jesse shares insights from his experience at Flatirons Community Church, where organizational misalignment led to significant challenges, including staff turnover and cultural rebuilding. He introduces a five-stage model of organizational doubt, ranging from suspended doubt to absolute doubt, and offers practical advice for addressing each level.
Welcome to Episode 123 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Flatirons Community Church
Building Organizational Trust and Managing Organizational Doubt, blog by Jesse DeYoung
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS JESSE DEYOUNG?
Jesse DeYoung has been in ministry for 19 years and currently serves Flatirons Church in Denver, CO as the Executive Lead Pastor, where he helps leaders and ministries have a significant impact through developing and equipping teams to make high-level strategic decisions. He’s especially passionate about staff culture, rebuilding teams, and the relationship between the Lead Pastor and Executive Pastor. Known for his discernment, and self-deprecating humor, Jesse is always looking for opportunities to develop and challenge the people around him, making him a reliable sounding board for all levels of the organization. When he's not developing his staff, you can find Jesse playing ping pong, enjoying coffee, and exploring the outdoors with his wife Kara and four kids.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“The moment you allow your margin to be given away is the precise moment your church will ask more from you, and you won’t have anything left to give them.” If you’re just hanging on until your next sabbatical, you might be missing the point. True rest isn’t something you find on vacation—it’s something you build into your daily, weekly, and yearly rhythms. In this episode, Sean explores how to reset your work/rest cycle with practical steps: admit things aren’t working, evaluate expectations in your role, and establish sustainable rhythms. From setting clear job tasks to planning annual retreats, these strategies will help you create a life where rest isn’t just a distant hope but a regular reality.
Welcome to Episode 122 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS SEAN MORGAN?
Sean started out in ministry serving in a San Francisco area church plant as their Executive Pastor. He went on to help coach and consult with church leaders across the country and eventually founded The Ascent Leader, a first-of-its-kind organization focusing on relational leadership development for local church pastors. He also hosts the Leaders In Living Rooms podcast. Sean recently retired from a 26-year career as a KC-10 pilot in the US Air Force Reserve. His favorite titles are “Stacy’s husband” and “Kaylee and Ayden’s dad.”
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“Sometimes we go way beyond what God wants us to do. And that's what leads to burnout…It's working beyond where God wants you to work, where now it's human effort, not His effort in you.” Meet Filipe Santos, Lead Pastor of Echo.Church. In today’s episode, Filipe opens up about the initial fear of taking on leadership, the spiritual and emotional challenges of stepping into Andy Wood’s shoes, and how his Enneagram 2 wiring shaped his collaborative leadership style. From reshaping his identity as a leader to focusing on spiritual health, Filipe provides a transparent look at the personal and professional growth that has guided him through this significant transition.
Welcome to Episode 121 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Soul Care by Wellspring – The spiritual direction program that transformed Filipe's approach to ministry.
Becoming a King by Morgan Snyder
https://www.echo.church/
@filipesantos
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS FILIPE SANTOS?
Filipe Santos is the Lead Pastor of Echo.Church, a multi-site church in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is passionate about empowering leaders, raising up the next generation, and uniting churches together for the sake of Kingdom expansion. He has been married to his wife Mandy for 21 years and they have five children.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
In this interview, Tara Beth Leach shares her journey as a senior pastor, her calling to ministry, and the unique challenges she encountered. After an 11-year tenure at other churches, she returned to Good Shepherd, where she implemented a significant cultural shift to address unhealthy staff dynamics. Leach emphasizes the importance of casting a hopeful vision, maintaining accountability, and balancing work with personal restoration through hobbies and family support.
Welcome to Episode 120 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
tarabethleach.com
@tarabeth82
The Pastor’s Table podcast
https://gshepchurch.org/
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS TARA BETH LEACH?
Tara Beth Leach is a pastor, preacher of the Word, and writer. She speaks widely at conferences, retreats, and universities across the country on Women in Ministry, Church Leadership, and the call to be a Radiant Witness. She is the Senior Pastor at Good Shepherd Church in Naperville, IL and previously served at Christ Church in Oakbrook and as Senior Pastor of First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena (”PazNaz”) in SoCal. She is a graduate of Olivet Nazarene University and Northern Theological Seminary and has authored three books, including Emboldened and Radiant Church. Tara Beth is the co-founder of Propel Ecclesia and is also the co-host of The Pastors Table podcast. She has two beautiful and rambunctious sons and has been married to the love of her life, Jeff, since 2006.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/.
"Do I love being a pastor, or do I need to be a pastor? Once I figured out what I wanted to do and what I could let go of, that helped free me up." Meet Bryan Wilkerson, Pastor Emeritus at Grace Chapel. Today, Bryan reflects on his 40-year ministry career, including his 24 years as lead pastor of Grace Chapel in the Boston area. He discusses the leadership transition process, the importance of finishing well, and how his personal identity evolved as he prepared for retirement. The conversation also touches on Bryan’s strategies for staying involved in ministry while stepping back from leadership.
Welcome to Episode 119 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS BRYAN WILKERSON?
Bryan Wilkerson is Pastor Emeritus at Grace Chapel, a multi-site church in greater Boston. Bryan served as Senior Pastor at Grace Chapel for 24 years, having previously served for 16 years as Senior Pastor at Shelter Rock Church in Manhasset, New York. In addition to preaching and conference speaking, Bryan offers coaching and consulting to pastors and churches.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/.
In this episode, Sean engages with David and Mike, co-lead pastors at McLean Bible Church, as they share their experiences of transitioning into a unique shared leadership model. David reflects on how Mike’s leadership was essential to the church’s growth, prompting him to take a step back to focus more on global missions. Mike, in turn, reflects on the importance of cultivating a personal relationship with God, especially for ministry leaders. Together, they explore the challenges and benefits of co-leading and how God's guidance has shaped their journey.
Welcome to Episode 118 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
https://mcleanbible.org/
https://www.mcleanbible.org
Don’t Hold Back, by David Platt
Pray the Word
@mikekelsey
@plattdavid_
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO ARE DAVID PLATT AND MIKE KELSEY?
David Platt serves as a pastor in metro Washington, D.C. He is the founder of Radical, a ministry that exists to equip Christians to be on mission. David received his Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and is the author of Radical, Radical Together, Follow Me, Counter Culture, Something Needs to Change, Before You Vote, and Don't Hold Back. He is also the author of several volumes in the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series. Along with his wife and children, he lives in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Resources from David Platt and Radical can be found at radical.net.
Michael Kelsey, Jr. currently serves as a Lead Pastor at McLean Bible Church. He is the proud son of Bishop Michael V. Kelsey, Jr. and First Lady Sheila Bowens Kelsey, and a grateful product of the New Samaritan Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. Mike grew up with a strong foundation in the gospel and by God’s grace, he fully surrendered himself to Christ as a student at the University of Maryland, College Park. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric and Political Culture in 2004, Mike went into full-time ministry with the Luis Palau Association, helping organize evangelistic festivals in strategic U.S. cities, and eventually accepted the call to join the pastoral staff at McLean Bible Church in 2007. He has a passion to advance the Gospel in multiethnic contexts and longs to see emerging generations invest their lives for the glory of God. He is married to his college sweetheart, Ashley, and they have three young children, Ava; Michael, III; and Jackson.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“High trust makes high performance possible. It’s a soft skill, but it's foundational to building healthy teams, especially in ministry where trust is an even higher currency.” Meet Lance Witt, founder of REPLENISH ministries. In today’s episode, Lance shares insights on balancing health and high performance within ministry leadership. He also explains the importance of avoiding burnout, setting strategic priorities, and how church leaders can create space to think and focus on what truly matters. Lance shares his journey from workaholism to a more balanced approach and explores how leaders can effectively combine hard work with healthy rhythms.
Welcome to Episode 117 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Lance@replenish.net
https://replenish.net
Your One Life, by Lance Witt
High Impact Teams, by Lance Witt
Replenish, by Lance Witt
BCWI:https://workplaces.org/
https://theunstuckgroup.com/
The Road Less Stupid, by Keith J. Cunningham
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS LANCE WITT?
Lance is the founder of REPLENISH ministries (www.replenish.net). Replenish is dedicated to helping people live and lead from a healthy soul. Along with speaking and consulting, Lance does Life Plans, individual life coaching, and team development. Lance’s newest book is called Your ONE Life: Own it, Live it, Love it. He is also the author of Replenish and High Impact Teams. Lance served 20 years as a senior pastor before serving 7 years as an Executive/Teaching pastor at Saddleback Church in Southern California. He led Saddleback’s Spiritual Growth Campaigns, such as 40 Days of Purpose and 40 Days of Community. Lance has been married to his wife Connie for 46 years and they have two married children and four beautiful granddaughters. He loves flyfishing, reading, New Mexico-style food, and hanging out with his granddaughters.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/.
“Vulnerability with those closest to you can provide clarity and healing in ways you don’t expect.” Meet Zac Stephens, lead pastor of Faith Promise Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. In today’s episode, Zac shares his unique journey from growing up as a pastor’s kid to stepping into the role of lead pastor, highlighting the integrity of his parents and how they prepared him for ministry rather than shielding him from its challenges. Zac talks about the weight of leadership that comes with senior roles and the unexpected personal responsibility that hit him during his first 90 days as lead pastor. In addition, Zac shares practical insights into the mental strategies he’s adopted and how the support system around him played a crucial role in his transformation.
Welcome to Episode 116 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Instagram: @thezacstephens
Bible in One Year by Nicky Gumbel
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS ZAC STEPHENS?
Pastor Zac is the Senior Pastor at Faith Promise. Zac has previously served the church leading students and campuses – always seeing dynamic growth and staff development in each role. In the most recent season, Pastor Zac has led Faith Promise in re-imagining its vision and values and has been instrumental in creating a culture within the church to clearly define how to execute those values in everyday life. He desires to see every person at Faith Promise discover their purpose and win their world. Zac and his wife Rachel have three children and reside in Knoxville, TN.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
Andy Wood shares insights two years into his journey as the Lead Pastor at Saddleback Church, highlighting the challenges and progress made during this leadership transition. We’re hitting topics like organizational change, leadership dynamics, and the complexities of stepping into a long-established ministry.
Welcome to Episode 115 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Tim Stevens on the Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast
Andy Wood on Instagram
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS ANDY WOOD?
Andy Wood is the Senior Pastor of Saddleback Church. Andy and his wife Stacie are answering God's call to serve at Saddleback after over a decade of church planting. The Woods started South Bay Church in 2009 with two other families. South Bay Church officially changed its name to Echo.Church in January of 2018. Echo.Church has become one of the fastest-growing churches in the most unchurched area of the United States and is now reaching over 2,300 people in regular attendance in three locations across Silicon Valley.
Andy's passion is to create environments that engage the unchurched people of the Bay Area. Along with leading the church, Andy enjoys investing time in helping church planters and church leaders think more innovatively and strategically to reach people in the most unreached areas of North America. Andy and Stacie have three kids, Caedmon, Sammy, and Karis.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/.
In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, host Sean Morgan sits down with Ben Pilgreen, the lead pastor of Epic Church in San Francisco, to explore the nuances of leadership in different church seasons. From the early days of church planting to the current challenges of leading an established congregation, Ben shares his journey, insights, and the evolution of his leadership style. He also touches on the personal transitions happening in his life as his children grow older, paralleling the shifts in his leadership role at the church.
Welcome to Episode 114 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
https://www.epicsf.com/
Bring It Out podcast
Bring It Out, by Ben Pilgreen
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS BEN PILGREEN?
Ben Pilgreen is the founder and lead pastor of Epic Church in San Francisco, CA. Ben loves coaching leaders, whether in church or in business. Ben is the host of the Bring It Out podcast. Ben and his wife, Shauna, have four wonderful children and make their home in San Francisco. Read more at benpilgreen.com.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
ABOUT THE EPISODE
Today, Kenton Beshore, former Senior Pastor of Mariners Church, pinpoints the challenges and essential skills required for effective ministry, especially during difficult times. He emphasizes the importance of character in "severe" moments and gives us a gauge on ministry skill sets from church planters, transitions leaders, to executive pastors!
Welcome to Episode 113 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
No Rules Rules, by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer
sean@theascentleader.org
theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS KENTON BESHORE?
Kenton Beshore served as Senior Pastor of Mariners Church in Orange County, CA for 35 years, during which the church experienced God's incredible blessing and growth. In 2018 Kenton transitioned to the role of Pastor Emeritus, making way for Mariners' new senior pastor, Eric Geiger, to take the reins. Today, Kenton is a part of the Mariners teaching team and takes the teaching ministry of Mariners to other Southern California churches. Kenton and his wife Laurie are passionate about investing in the next generation of pastors, igniting them to become all God has called them to be through mentoring and coaching. They spend the remainder of their time investing in their 11 grandchildren.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/.
In this episode, Kenton and Laurie Beshore share their invaluable insights on maintaining a healthy balance between ministry and family life. Laurie highlights the "wear and tear" that ministry can have on marriages and families and offers practical tips during the differentiation stage of your kids’ lives. Discover what questions Laurie would ask a young leader after her 40 years in ministry.
Welcome to Episode 112 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
sean@theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO ARE KENTON AND LAURIE?
Kenton Beshore served as Senior Pastor of Mariners Church in Orange County, CA for 35 years, during which the church experienced God's incredible blessing and growth. In 2018 Kenton transitioned to the role of Pastor Emeritus, making way for Mariners' new senior pastor, Eric Geiger, to take the reins. Today, Kenton is a part of the Mariners teaching team and takes the teaching ministry of Mariners to other Southern California churches. Kenton and his wife Laurie are passionate about investing in the next generation of pastors, igniting them to become all God has called them to be through mentoring and coaching. They spend the remainder of their time investing in their 11 grandchildren.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
Today, we welcome Brian Tome, senior pastor of Crossroads Church, for an engaging discussion on the crucial topic of leadership development within the church. Don’t miss insights into the biblical basis for leadership development, practical steps for nurturing future leaders, and the long-term benefits of investing in the next generation. Brian Tome shares his unique perspective on why leadership development is not only vital but also a biblical mandate.
Welcome to Episode 111 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
@briantome
sean@theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS BRIAN TOME?
Brian Tome is the founding and senior pastor of Crossroads Church. He has authored five books including his best-seller, The Five Marks of a Man. He also hosts The Aggressive Life with Brian Tome, a weekly podcast which has surpassed two million downloads. As an entrepreneur, Brian has opened several other non-profits and started Man Camp, a primitive weekend camping experience that has helped tens of thousands of men reclaim the code of manhood. An avid hunter and adventure motorcyclist, Brian is married with three children and lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/.
Clarity, trust, and connection. These are the building blocks of a healthy team culture. Meet Jenni Catron, a leadership coach, author, and speaker passionate about cultivating healthy leaders to lead thriving organizations. In today’s episode, you’ll learn about striking a balance between shouldering the responsibility, but not all the weight, of course-correcting a culture toward healthy.
Welcome to Episode 110 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
@jennicatron
https://www.get4sight.com/
sean@theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS JENNI CATRON?
Jenni Catron is a leadership coach, author and speaker. Her passion is to cultivate healthy leaders to lead thriving organizations. She speaks at conferences and events nationwide, seeking to help leaders develop the clarity and confidence to lead well. As Founder and CEO of The 4Sight Group, she consults organizations on leadership, team culture and organizational health. With over 20 years experience in corporate and non-profit organizations, Jenni has a passion for helping leaders “put feet to their vision”. Jenni is the author of several books including Clout: Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influence and The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership. She loves a fabulous cup of tea, great books, learning the game of tennis and hiking with her husband. Jenni can be found on social media at @jennicatron and at www.get4sight.com.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/.
“Church growth isn’t what’s propelling us forward—it’s the Great Commission.” Meet Daniel Im, pastor, Bible teacher, writer, and podcast host with a passion for the local church. In this episode, Sean and Daniel explore the delicate balance between pastoral care and visionary leadership, emphasizing the importance of maintaining both to avoid becoming stagnant. Daniel shares his insights on the evolving dynamics of discipleship and evangelism, arguing for a reliance on the Holy Spirit's work in sparking interest in the things of God.
Welcome to Episode 109 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
The Discipleship Opportunity
danielim.com
sean@theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS DANIEL IM?
Daniel Im is a pastor, Bible teacher, writer, and podcast host with a passion for the local church. He is the lead pastor of Beulah Alliance Church and the author of The Discipleship Opportunity, No Silver Bullets, Planting Missional Churches, and You Are What You Do: And Six Other Lies about Work, Life, and Love. He lives in Edmonton, Alberta with his wife Christina and their three children. For more information, visit danielim.com and connect with him on social media @danielsangi.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/.
Your systems of decision-making have the potential to bring greater clarity to who you are and how you do things. Today, Sean Morgan discusses how level-five leaders frame each decision with a silver-bullet technique, and how it can lead toward momentum every time.
Welcome to Episode 108 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Leading Change, by John Kotter
sean@theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS SEAN MORGAN?
Sean started out in ministry serving in a San Francisco area church plant as their Executive Pastor. He went on to help coach and consult with church leaders across the country and eventually founded The Ascent Leader, a first of its kind organization focusing on relational leadership development for local church pastors.
He also hosts the Leaders In Living Rooms podcast.
Sean recently retired from a 26-year career as a KC-10 pilot in the US Air Force Reserve.
His favorite titles are “Stacy’s husband” and “Kaylee and Ayden’s dad.”
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
Today’s episode is all about the complexities of life after ministry, exploring how the roles we inhabit can become intertwined with our identities. John discusses the importance of separating one's identity from his or her role, the challenges faced in transitioning from local church ministry, and the significance of cultivating deep and meaningful relationships. John shares insights from his own journey, emphasizing the necessity of vulnerability, intentionality, and daily obedience in serving God joyfully.
Welcome to episode 107 of the Leaders in Living Rooms podcast, with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
becomenew.com
Clinical Theology, by Frank Lake
sean@theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS JOHN ORTBERG?
John Ortberg is a pastor, author, and speaker. He’s been in ministry for over 40 years and teaches around a central theme of spiritual formation. John is a deep believer that the main thing God gets out of your life is the person you become. He desires for people to know God in an interactive, life-transforming way. Presently, John leads the ministry, BecomeNew.com, focused on leveraging online technology for life change and spiritual community.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/.
Navigating change in churches requires courage, vision, and a willingness to adapt. By fostering a culture of adaptability, celebrating wins, and grounding decisions in biblical principles, churches can embrace momentum for growth and impact. As leaders prioritize clarity, focus, and inclusivity, they pave the way for a thriving future rooted in faith and resilience.
Welcome to episode 106 of the Leaders in Living Rooms podcast, with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
The Way of Jesus
sean@theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS JAMES GROGAN?
James is the Lead Pastor at Eastlake Church, a growing movement of churches founded in Chula Vista, CA, which includes several. Locations in Southern California and Tijuana, Mexico, James is also a catalyst leader of the San Diego Church Plant Movement. He has worked in full-time local church ministry for over 25 years, with the last 19 spent on staff at Eastlake Church. James has served in many roles and ministries during his time at Eastlake, including kids & students,
spiritual formation and group life, executive leadership, teaching, and now Lead Pastor. James grew up in Illinois (which is a great place to be from but not live) and is fanatical about University of Illinois sports. He attended Evangel University where he played football and majored in biblical studies. He was much better at the Bible than he was football, so do not be impressed with his athleticism. James also completed a degree in Organizational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University; they did not ask him to play football because he was too old and slow by then. James
and his wife Rebecca have been married for 25 years and have 3 children of their own and have also served as foster parents for a few amazing children.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/.
ABOUT THE EPISODE
In this episode, we hear the inspiring journey of Pastor Jeremiah Ramer, the lead pastor of Crossroads Church located between Odessa and Midland, West Texas. From a cross-country move with unexpected transitions to the challenges of stepping into leadership that would soon endure a church split, Jeremiah shares his remarkable experiences and the incredible growth his church has seen in recent years.
Welcome to episode 105 of the Leaders in Living Rooms podcast, with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
sean@theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS JEREMIAH RAMER?
Jeremiah Ramer has been the Lead Pastor of CROSSROADS Church in Odessa, Texas since July of 2020. Jeremiah is passionate about introducing those far from God to the transforming power of Jesus. It is his goal to mobilize and encourage believers at every stage to maximize their lives to impact the community and the world with God’s love.
He was born and raised in Texas. After graduating High School in Celina, Texas, Jeremiah attended Rice University where he pursued his business degree and played football. While at Rice, God called him into ministry and he transferred to Taylor University where he studied Bible Exposition. He has nearly completed a Masters of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. Jeremiah has been in ministry since 2003 as a Student Pastor and has a heart for reaching this generation with the gospel as well as inspiring and encouraging the church to reach students and families.
He has served and led in different pastoral roles such as High School & College Pastor, Student Ministry Pastor, Family & Teaching Pastor and most recently as an Outreach & Teaching Pastor at Community Presbyterian Church in Danville, California.
Jeremiah is a family man and he and his wife, Tessa, have been married for 18 years this November. They have four beautiful daughters. Kenna is 12, Kollins is 10, Charleston is 7, and Chayse is 3.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“The smartest leaders get the most help.” Meet Ray Johnston, Senior Pastor of Bayside Church. In today’s episode, Johnston explains the surprising secret to building momentum－and it all begins with encouragement. When we understand the types of support needed, the gaps between our “challenge level” and our “support level,” and the most effective way to share vision, we’re on our way to momentum in the church.
Welcome to episode 104 of the Leaders in Living Rooms podcast, with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
sean@theascentleader.org
Bayside Church Core Values
Thrive Conference
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS RAY JOHNSTON?
Ray Johnston is the Senior Pastor of Bayside Church in Granite Bay, California—the very church he founded—which has grown to over 18,000 people. A 30-year veteran of both youth and adult ministry, Ray believes that the Church is called to outreach, spiritual growth, and equipping leaders. In addition, Ray serves as president of Thrive Communications Inc. and has authored several books.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
ABOUT THE EPISODE
Dr. Joel Muddamalle, Director of Theology and Research at Proverbs 31 Ministries, joins us on today’s episode of the Leaders in Living Rooms podcast. Addressing the topics of pride and humility, Dr. Joel urges a theological shift in our view of success. He outlines three fundamental steps for cultivating the necessary humility as a leader: recognition, reflection, and community. Listen to today’s episode for practical advice on honest accountability and transparency in your leadership.
EPISODE LINKS
The Hidden Peace, by Joel Muddamalle
sean@theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS JOEL MUDDAMALLE?
Muddamalle serves as Director of Theology and Research at Proverbs 31 Ministries, co-host of the popular podcast Therapy and Theology alongside Lysa TerKeurst and Jim Cress, and theologian in residence for Haven Place Ministries. His work studying theology and its practical application has led him to conclude that living a humble life is not a sign of defeat but a mark of Jesus’s victory in our lives.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
Today, we welcome Les McKeown, author of "Predictable Success," to the podcast! Listen in to hear his insights on pattern recognition, self-awareness, and honesty in effective leadership. He encourages leaders to confront the internal voice of imposter syndrome in order to conquer it.
Welcome to episode 102 of the Leaders in Living Rooms podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
PredictableSuccess.com
Predictable Success, by Les McKeown
sean@theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS LES MCKEOWN?
Les McKeown is a renowned speaker and author. He has started over 40 companies in his own right, and guided hundreds more worldwide. His company, Predictable Success, advises senior leaders of organizations on how to achieve scalable, sustainable growth. Les is the author of the WSJ and USA Today Best-seller, "Predictable Success: Getting Your OrganizationOn the Growth Track - and Keeping It There", "The Synergist: Leading Your Team to PredictableSuccess", "Do Lead: Share your vision. Inspire others. Achieve the impossible” and “Do Scale: ARoadmap to Building a Remarkable Company”
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
ABOUT THE EPISODE
“You will grow only to the threshold of your pain.” Meet Sam Chand, author and leadership consultant who serves leaders worldwide as they seek personal and organizational growth. Sam expands on the topic of leadership pain in today’s episode. He asks pastors two key questions when discerning their leadership health. And while there is no such thing as “balance” in ministry, listen to Sam’s wisdom in navigating health amid “ministry spurts.”
Welcome to Episode 101 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Leadership Pain, by Sam Chand
https://samchand.com
Avail Journal
sean@theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS SAM CHAND?
Who would have thought, when in 1973 “student” Sam Chand was serving his college as janitor, cook and dishwasher that he would return in 1989 as “President” of the same college! Now as a leadership consultant he serves leaders all over the world as they seek personal and organizational growth and change. Thus far, he has written over 25 books on the subject of leadership, is the publisher of the AVAIL Journal, and has been named to the top 30 Global Leadership Gurus list. He has been married to his wife, Brenda, since 1979 and together, their vision is to help others succeed.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“Trust comes from relationships.” Today, you’ll be hearing a familiar voice from the podcast. We’re flipping the script on episode 100, and Sean Morgan is interviewed today by Josh Surratt, Lead Pastor at Seacoast Church. How can we learn intentional leadership development from the military? What makes it easier to follow a lead pastor and make space for high-level leaders on your team? Listen in for Sean’s perspective and wisdom for these questions.
Welcome to Episode 100 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Episode 046 with Josh Surratt
Episode 047 with Josh Surratt
Leadership Pain by Samuel Chand
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
sean@theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS SEAN MORGAN?
Sean started out in ministry serving in a San Francisco area church plant as their Executive Pastor. He went on to help coach and consult with church leaders across the country and eventually founded The Ascent Leader, a first of its kind organization focusing on relational leadership development for local church pastors.
He also hosts the Leaders In Living Rooms podcast.
Sean recently retired from a 26-year career as a KC-10 pilot in the US Air Force Reserve.
His favorite titles are “Stacy’s husband” and “Kaylee and Ayden’s dad.”
WHO IS JOSH SURRATT?
As Lead Pastor, Josh Surratt is helping Seacoast Church realize God’s vision for what comes next. He is passionate about helping people find God, grow their faith, discover their purpose, and make a difference. Josh was raised in Charleston, South Carolina and attended the College of Charleston. He joined the Seacoast staff in 2001 and has served in several roles, including four years as the Mount Pleasant Campus Pastor. Josh is one of Seacoast’s Teaching Pastors and currently serves on the Executive Team as the Seacoast Lead Pastor. He and his wife Lisa have three children – Miles, Greta Kate, and Ellie. In his off-hours, Josh loves to cheer for all Chicago sports teams and the Clemson Tigers.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“Sometimes God says, ‘That was a nice idea, but it wasn’t a divine vision.’” Meet Dr. Wayne Cordeiro, founding pastor of the New Hope International Ministry. With inspiring insight into the nuances and necessities of pivoting as leaders, Pastor Wayne gives helpful cues to build resiliency in a way that healthily impacts your church.
Welcome to Episode 099 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Resilient, by John Eldredge
A Self-Aware Leader, by John C. Maxwell
Leaders Eat Last, by Simon Sinek
Newhopewest.com
Resilient Leadership 2.0, by Bob Duggen
sean@theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS DR. WAYNE CORDEIRO?
Dr. Wayne Cordeiro is the founding pastor of the New Hope International Ministry beginning in 1984 in Hilo, Hawaii. In 1995, he relocated to Honolulu and pioneered New Hope Oahu. Within 10 years, NHO was listed among the ten most innovative churches in America. Outreach Magazine listed them as one of the “top five churches to learn from.” New Hope has seen over 120,000 first-time decisions in Hawaii since its inception and has planted 153 churches on the West Coast and in Okinawa, Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, Myanmar, and Australia. Wayne is an author of over 14 books and speaks globally on ministry and leadership. He also designed the Life Journal and the SOAP method for daily devotions used by thousands of churches. He is also the general editor of the LifeConnect Study Bible. In 2017, he passed the leadership baton in Hawaii and relocated to Eugene, Oregon to be president of New Hope Christian College (formerly Eugene Bible College, his alma mater). New Hope Christian College highlights the development of both the message and the messenger. (For more information, go to Newhope.edu). In 2020, he pioneered New Hope West which partners with New Hope Christian College. It has become a “lab church” for ministry and leadership development. Wayne’s life themes are emphasizing the Word of God, a daily devotion to Jesus, evangelism, church planting, leadership development, communication, and redeeming the arts and technology for Christ. Wayne and his wife, Anna are approaching 50 years of marriage. They have three married children (Amy Hisaoka, Aaron Cordeiro, and Abigail Rivest) and nine grandchildren. His hobbies include music, reading, golf, pickleball, and riding his horse.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
ABOUT THE EPISODE
“Sometimes, you have the grace to receive a vision but not the grace to communicate it.” Meet Chris Fletcher, Lead Pastor of Manna Church in Fayetteville/Ft. Liberty. Today, we get to hear Chris’ insights on leadership transition. We’ll learn about the wisdom of ambiguity in the beginning, what changes with money and leaders as you transition, and the necessity of peer mentorship.
Welcome to Episode 098 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
sean@theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS CHRIS FLETCHER?
Chris Fletcher is the Lead Pastor of Manna Church in Fayetteville/Ft. Liberty. He is married to Rachel and the couple has four children. Chris has a B.A. in Music Performance from Campbell University and an M.A. in Christian Leadership from Grace College of Divinity (now Manna University). He is the Vice President of the Fayetteville Soccer Club and a staff coach at the Villareal Force Soccer Academy.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“There are more people open to the Gospel than ever before.” Meet Sean Morgan, host of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast and Founder of The Ascent Leader. Today’s episode offers eight church trends all pastors should be aware of as we enter 2024. Sean’s insight not only points to these specific trends but also to what they mean for your church and your leadership. How do we lead with courage as we see fertile soil trend upward?
Welcome to Episode 097 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
sean@theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS SEAN MORGAN?
Sean Morgan joined CDF Capital in 2014 to launch the Leadership Capital Team – focused on elevating local church leaders and their kingdom impact. A nationally known coach and speaker, Sean finds great joy in navigating ministries from obstacles to opportunities. He has developed a national reputation for connecting ministry leaders and being a catalyst of fresh vision; he founded and curates theascentleader.org. Sean served as Executive Pastor and CFO at New Life Church in Northern California. He’s husband to his amazing bride Stacy and a father to Kaylee and Ayden.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“If you don’t have a healthy elder board in a church, you might as well not have an elder board.”
Meet Darryl, Justin, and Jonathan, three of the four Flatirons Elders. In a special group interview, today’s episode gives insight into what honesty and integrity look like when played out on a healthy board. Find out why a healthy team does not mean “smooth sailing.”
Welcome to Episode 096 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
https://www.flatironschurch.com/
sean@theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO ARE THE FLATIRONS ELDERS?
Darryl Kelly
Darryl is here to help. Not in the weird swoop-in-from-nowhere kind of way, but in the I’ve-always-been-here kind of way. He volunteers with high school students - encouraging their leadership and challenging their way of thinking. He uses his creative gifts to capture an engaging video shot during service. He’s present with his church and the people who also call it home. He sits in several other seats - the c-suite at work, board seats for several companies, but most importantly at home with his wife, Lauren, and kids, Olivia and Noah. They are the best part of any day and he fully enjoys watching and playing with them as they ebb and flow together.
Justin Searle
Justin Searle leads the Local Government division at Wellpath. He is responsible for the administrative and operational elements of all local government teams and contracts in the United States. A former Naval officer, Justin transitioned to the private sector, has been in various healthcare environments since 2010, and joined Wellpath in 2019, moved by the mission to bring hope and healing to underserved populations. Justin received his Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Naval Academy and his Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Chicago. In terms of ministry, Justin began following Jesus at a young age which had some peaks, valleys, and everything in between. Faith truly deepened through his attendance at Flatirons where he took on more leadership roles, resulting most recently in his appointment to the Elder Board in early 2023.
Jonathan Aal
Jonathan Aal is a portfolio manager and leader of the investment research team at Smith Capital Investors, a Colorado based global fixed income asset manager. Prior to working in finance, Jonathan served in the United States Military. He is passionate for his family, outdoor adventure, and seeing men flourish as sons, fathers, husbands, and leaders.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“Our enemy hates that we’re taking days of rest.” Meet Brady Boyd, Senior Pastor of New Life Church. Today’s episode is a reminder of the crucial ways Sabbath rest refuels a pastor’s soul. On a weekly basis, pastors carry an emotional and often traumatic weight as they shepherd their congregations. Today, Pastor Brady encourages all leaders to incorporate healthy rhythms that will make space for pastors to be able to sustain a ministry for the long haul.
Welcome to Episode 095 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
@Pastorbradyboyd on Instagram
Pastor Brady on Twitter
The Essential Church Podcast
New Life Church
sean@theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS BRADY BOYD?
Brady Boyd has served as the Senior Pastor of New Life Church for nearly fifteen years. Under Brady’s leadership, New Life Church has grown to eight congregations, and its unique team-teaching method has become a model for churches around the world. Brady is the cohost of The Essential Church Podcast and hosts conferences including the Essential Church Learning Community, Desperation, and Gathering. His commitment to tangibly care for the people of Colorado Springs has birthed Dream Centers and Mary’s Home. He has written eight books: Oceans of Grace, Extravagant, Remarkable, Speak Life, Addicted to Busy, Fear No Evil, Sons & Daughters, and Let Her Lead. (All are available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.) Brady earned his degree in Journalism from Louisiana Tech where he also was the Sports Editor for his college newspaper. His love for sports led to his announcing career for professional baseball and basketball teams prior to serving at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas for nearly seven years. Brady lives in Colorado Springs with his wife, Pam, and their two adult children.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“The church goes upward in age and inward in focus naturally…It’s only intentionally that the church goes downward in age and outward in focus.” Meet Stephen Foster, leader of St Aldates Church in Oxford and advisor to Alpha. Stephen brings a refreshing reminder of the need for churches to embrace a vision that moves the demographic downward in age while outward in focus － all while embracing multiple generations in church culture. Listen for insights in today’s episode on how to best engage what Stephen describes as a pre-Christian context and why that is so exciting for the Church!
Welcome to Episode 094 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Amazed by Jesus, by Simon Ponsonby
St Aldates Church
sean@theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS STEPHEN FOSTER?
Stephen leads St Aldates Church in Oxford, and is an advisor to Alpha. St Aldates is a growing church with many young adults and students, which is seeing lots of people come to faith in Jesus. Stephen read law at Oxford and theology at Cambridge, and worked as a Barrister for a number of years. He is married to Beth, and they have four daughters.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“You can’t lead people or take them anywhere until they trust you.” Meet Archie Coates, Vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton. In a conversation about transitioning into a lead pastor role, Archie gives personal insights from his recent transition at HTB. He brings a healthy mix of humility and disruption to a seasoned church. Learn about the difference between loving a church you “birthed” versus a church you “adopted” in today’s episode. Archie’s perspective and wisdom will give you practical concepts to aid either side of pastoral transitions.
Welcome to Episode 093 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Predictable Success, by Les McKeown
Trust, by Dr. Henry Cloud
sean@theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS ARCHIE COATES?
Archie Coates is the Vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton, prior to which he was the Vicar of St Peter’s Brighton for 13 years. He studied Theology at Oxford University and was Associate Vicar at HTB. Archie is married to Sam and they have four children.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“The only way to plant a church is through evangelism.” Meet Nicky Gumbel, pioneer of the Alpha course and former vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) in London. Nicky’s enthusiasm for a better focus in church evangelism is life-giving and inspiring. He meets the challenges of today’s church with a sense of intentionality and strategy that will encourage you and motivate change.
Welcome to Episode 092 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
sean@theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and checkout my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS NICKY GUMBEL?
Nicky Gumbel is the former vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) in London. Together with his wife Pippa, they pioneered Alpha, an introduction to the Christian faith run by all the major Christian denominations in 169 countries. Nicky Gumbel has written several best-selling books including Questions of Life, The Jesus Lifestyle, Searching Issues and A Life Worth Living. He is the author of the free Bible reading app Bible in One Year. In December 2007, Nicky received an Honorary Doctorate for his contribution to church life from the University of Gloucester.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“Justice and love are two halves of the same coin.” Meet N.T. Wright, the former Bishop of Durham, theologian, author, and Senior Research Fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. Today, we are tackling current events in Israel and Gaza with a renewed perspective of lament. N.T. Wright brings a depth of wisdom that not only expands on our understanding of biblical text, but also informs us of how we are to operate today in the church.
Welcome to Episode 091 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Into the Heart of Romans, by N.T. Wright
The Way of the Lord, by N.T. Wright
sean@theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS N.T. WRIGHT?
N.T. Wright has held a variety of both academic and chaplaincy posts at Oxford, Cambridge, and McGill University, Montreal. He was Canon of Westminister in 2000, before serving as Bishop of Durham between 2003-2010. He is currently Research Professor Emeritus of New Testament and Early Christianity at St Mary’s College in the University of St Andrews and Senior Research Fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“It’s a narcissistic leader who passes the baton and then hopes that the church diminishes or fails.” Meet Dave Stone, former lead pastor at Southeast Christian Church. Sharing from personal experiences, Dave gives us insight into healthy leadership transitions, including how to be the biggest champion for your successor, how to carry an interim pastor role, and how to gauge the health of your leadership.
Welcome to Episode 090 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Episode 009 with Dave Stone from 2020
Christ Church of the Valley
Southeast Christian Church
sean@theascentleader.org
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and checkout my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS DAVE?
For 30 years, Dave Stone preached at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. During his 13 years as Senior Pastor the weekend attendance grew from 18,000 at one campus to 27,000 at seven campuses. He serves on Boards for Spire, Focus on the Family and the Rawlings Foundation and is on the Teaching Team for CCV in Phoenix, AZ. Dave has a heart for people and a passion for families. He and Beth have three children and ten grandchildren. When Dave speaks he has the unique ability to touch both your heart and your funny bone.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“To go too long, to go too far…big mistake.” Meet Dan Reiland, former Executive Pastor at 12Stone® Church in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Dan’s example of transitioning as an outgoing pastor is one every pastor should take note of. With practical metrics on what successful transition looks like afterward, spiritual insights for staying in tune with God’s voice, and a heart for serving the next generation, today’s episode is a helpful one for what it looks like to transition healthily in the church.
Welcome to Episode 089 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Succession Sunday – 5 Insights from a Moment Years in the Making
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS DAN?
Dan Reiland has been a pastor and leader for more than forty years. He served alongside John C. Maxwell for twenty years, first as executive pastor at Skyline Church and then as vice president of leadership and church development for INJOY Ministries. For the last twenty years, he has served as executive pastor with founding and senior pastor, Kevin Myers, of 12Stone® Church in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
Dan is the author of Leadership Alone Isn’t Enough, Confident Leader! Amplified Leadership, and Shoulder to Shoulder. He blogs regularly on The Pastor’s Coach at danreiland.com. Dan is best known as a leader with a pastor’s heart and a coach’s instincts. He truly loves the local church and is described as one of the nation’s most innovative church thinkers, a top church consultant, and an exceptional executive leadership coach. His passion is developing and empowering leaders who want to grow and are willing to take risks for the kingdom of God.
Dan and his wife, Patti, have two children, John-Peter and Mackenzie, who is married to Jacob, and a granddaughter, Anza. In his spare time, he enjoys time at the beach with Patti, grillin’ and chillin’ with his family, and playing the guitar.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“I have a radical ownership of everything I’m doing…By God’s grace, I’m waking up every day making a choice to lead God’s church.” Meet Jared Herd, Senior Pastor at The Church at Rancho Bernardo. Jared gives us a helpful look at his experience with a tough transition from a Co-Pastoring model. Listen in for practical wisdom on healthy Boards and the grit of leadership.
Welcome to Episode 088 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
sean@theascentleader.org
https://thechurchrb.org/
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and checkout my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS JARED?
Jared is the Senior Pastor at The Church at Rancho Bernardo. He is a husband to Rosanna Marie Herd and a father to three children. Author of More Lost Than Found, Jared is a powerful voice in the church and has helpful experience in leadership transition to speak into pastors’ journeys today.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“If you do nothing, the devil braids the church’s success and the health of your soul together, and he makes you think it’s the same thing.” Meet Julian Lowe, Lead Pastor at Oasis LA. In today’s episode, we hear a vulnerable and insightful look at what succession in leadership looked like for Julian. With honesty and transparency, we hear about challenges of humility, how gratitude can accompany obedience, and distinguishing your personal relationship with Jesus from the church you lead.
Welcome to Episode 087 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
“If I have power, especially in ministry, it’s because it is a gift. And I’m accountable not in my audience, I’m accountable to the God of the universe who has laid down His life for the sake of the world.” Meet Mark Labberton, former Fuller Seminary President, author, and host of Fuller Studio’s Conversing podcast. Join us for an engaging conversation on what it means to lay down power. Mark gives insight on the concept of co-leadership and healthy power dynamics as he challenges us to pursue deeper discipleship above all else as the vision for church growth.
Welcome to Episode 086 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
“There is a sacrifice to ministry that scars you…that is part of the job.” Meet Mark Clark, one of the Senior Pastors at Bayside Church in Sacramento, California. In today’s episode, Mark shares his personal experience of entering a role as Senior Pastor after founding Village Church, a multi-site church with locations in multiple cities across Canada. You’ll get a glimpse into his perspective on the evolution of pastoral roles, the secret sauce to keeping good leaders, and the importance of humility and zeal as a pastor. Welcome to Episode 085 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
“Get clear on your calling.” Meet Ben Snyder, Lead Pastor at Cedar Creek Church in Ohio. Ben talks with us about his personal experience in a quick transition season. He gives helpful advice, now in hindsight, glimpses into the challenges he faced, and key reminders for leaders entering a season of new leadership styles. Welcome to Episode 084 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
“God loves your church more than you do…Invite Him into the discussion.” Meet Steve and Dana Clifford, former pastors at Westgate Church in San Jose, California. Without underestimating the hard work and the time it takes to healthily transition from one pastor to another, Steve and Dana give insight into how their successful transition has contributed to healthy new seasons in their lives and their church. Learn about the timing and prep it took to get there in today’s episode.
Welcome to Episode 083 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
“Pastors tend to overestimate the value of vision and underestimate the value of strategy.” Meet Thom S. Rainer, and his son, Sam Rainer. With much experience in church consulting and transition, Thom and Sam are CEO and President (respectively) of Church Answers, an organization providing resources for pastors experiencing the ups and downs of ministry. Today’s podcast gives us a glimpse into practical roles an interim pastor should be filling as well as encouragement for all churches to revive their passion for evangelism and reach the lost. It’s as simple as Sam explains it, “Evangelism will never die in your church if you do it.” Welcome to Episode 082 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
“Do what is required to finish well.” Sean Morgan is sharing with us today the keys to a successful transition in ministry leadership. If we’re being honest, transition in ministry is not often the beautiful baton hand-off we desire it to be. There are challenges and intricacies that can prevent churches from experiencing the ideal "smooth transition." Today’s episode offers insight behind the “why” of common challenges as well as guardrails for a better path forward.
Welcome to Episode 081 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS SEAN MORGAN?
Following a successful career in healthcare change management, Sean moved from success to significance and joined the staff of a San Francisco area church that he helped plant, as their Executive Pastor. New Life Church is known for a dynamic, multiethnic ministry that has grown from hundreds to thousands. After being written about in Thom Rainer’s book Breakout Churches, Sean found himself hosting and coaching leaders from NorCal and around the world. Sean is a nationally known coach who has developed a reputation for connecting ministry leaders and being a catalyst of fresh vision; he founded and curates theascentleader.org.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“One of the best gifts we can give our churches is a healthy relationship with God and a healthy marriage.” Meet Jud and Lori Wilhite. As leaders in ministry, this couple gives us a healthy look at what pursuing God looks like in the context of church ministry and marriage. In the midst of negativity, our own idols of effectiveness, and the dangers of comparison, Jud and Lori bring us back to the basics of our faith…the most effective practices we often neglect.
Welcome to Episode 080 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
http://centralchurch.online
leadingandlovingit.com
Leading and Loving It- Instagram
Leading and Loving It- Facebook
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO ARE JUD AND LORI WILHITE?
Jud Wilhite is a pastor and author who has served at Central Church since 2003. As Senior Pastor, he has helped Central grow from one location in Henderson, NV to a multi-site church with physical locations in Nevada, Arizona, Florida, Mexico, and Australia. Central also has a global presence through their online streaming platforms, reaching homes in every state in the US, over 120 countries, and 12 different prison facilities through their partnership with God Behind Bars. Jud is a best-selling author who has written several books, including Uncaged, The God of Yes, Pursued, and The Uncensored Truth Study Bible. He graduated from Dallas Christian College and holds a master's degree from Lincoln Seminary. His teachings are heard nationally on KLOVE radio. Jud lives in the Las Vegas area with his wife, Lori. Together, they have two children, Emma and Ethan. Lori Wilhite serves alongside her husband Jud who is the Senior Pastor at Central Church in Las Vegas. Central currently has more than 27 locations nationally and internationally. Together they love seeing God change Sin City into Grace City. She is the author of Rise Up: Lessons from Ezra on Walking with Your Head Held High and My Name is Victorious: Find Strength, Freedom and Joy in Who You are Created to Be. Lori also co-authored My Name is Victorious: Teen Edition with her daughter Emma and Leading and Loving It: Encouragement for Pastors’ Wives and Women in Leadership with Brandi Wilson. Lori is the proud mom of two hilarious kids, Emma and Ethan. She loves time with friends, reading, and crying during episodes of Antiques Roadshow.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“The church is God’s vehicle to get the answer to people’s longings in their heart to them, and if people have been without a church long enough, then I know their spirit is going to be hungry.” Meet Darren Youngstrom, Lead Pastor at New Vintage Church in Santa Rosa. Today’s conversation brings an authentic glimpse into the transition role of a lead pastor. Darren is honest and vulnerable about his trials and hardships. But he also sheds light on the many ways God is clearly on the move in the midst of it all.
Welcome to Episode 079 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
New Vintage Church
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and checkout my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS DARREN YOUNGSTROM?
Darren is the lead pastor at New Vintage Church in Santa Rosa. He and his wife Mollie moved their family across the country from Atlanta, Ga, in August of 2020 to help rebuild a church in a highly unchurched city. Prior to his time in Santa Rosa, Darren was the Director of the high school ministry at North Point Community Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He got his start in ministry with Student Venture, the high school ministry of Cru. For nearly 20 years, Darren spent his time pushing Jesus to teenagers, primarily in public school settings. He credits his experiences with Cru and his training at North Point with his preparation to lead a church in an unchurched part of the country. His hobbies include coaching track at a local high school, coaching his girls in basketball, and building sick hotwheels tracks with his 4-year-old son.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“My advice to an executive pastor is: The output from your voice needs to be more questions than answers.” Meet Rich Birch, lead coach of the Church Growth Incubator, a community of churches actively working to grow through closely learning from the fastest-growing churches and applying those lessons to their churches. Today, we get to benefit from Rich’s stories, experience, and advice to Executive Pastors navigating the reality of their roles in relationship to Lead Pastors. These insights will broaden your perspective from a trusted leader who has walked in the shoes of executive leadership.
Welcome to Episode 077 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
www.unseminary.com
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and checkout my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS RICH BIRCH?
Rich Birch is an early multi-site church pioneer in North America. He led the charge in helping The Meeting House in Toronto to become the leading multi-site church in Canada with over 5,000 people in 20+ locations. In addition, he served on the leadership team of Connexus Community Church in Ontario, a North Point Community Church Strategic Partner. As well as the Operations Pastor at Liquid Church in the Manhattan-facing suburbs of New Jersey. Rich is on a mission to help 100 churches grow by 1,000 people by helping churches increase their invite cultures. He blogs & podcasts at unSeminary.com. His latest book, Church Growth Flywheel: 5 Practical Systems to Drive Growth at Your Church, has helped thousands of church leaders reach more people in their community. It was also the forerunner to Church Growth Flywheel Masterclass, a proven step-by-step system for helping your church reach more people than ever before. He’s also the lead coach of the Church Growth Incubator, a community of churches actively working to grow through closely learning from the fastest-growing churches and applying those lessons to their churches. He’s married to his girlfriend, Christine, and they are raising their young adult children, Haley & Hunter. Collectively they are attempting to keep their dog, Rory, from sleeping on places she’s not supposed to!
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“God uses transition to connect us more deeply to the people around us.” Meet Clay Scroggins, author of the best-selling books How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge, How to Lead in a World of Distraction, and The Aspiring Leader’s Guide to the Future. In today’s episode, Clay gives a deep, personal look at what transitioning from a lead pastor role to an entrepreneurial, self-employed role has looked like for him. He gives a ton of perspective and insight into what his journey has been, leaving us with thoughtful questions to ask and actionable items to tackle next when we face a season of transition.
Welcome to Episode 077 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Clayscroggins.com
clay.scroggins@gmail.com
Twitter:@clayscroggins
Instagram:@clayscroggins
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go toThe Art of Pastoral Succession and checkout my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at:https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS CLAY SCROGGINS?
Clay is the author of the best-selling books How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge, How to Lead in a World of Distraction, and The Aspiring Leader’s Guide to the Future. He holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech as well as a Master’s degree and Doctorate with an emphasis in Online Church from Dallas Theological Seminary. For almost 20 years, Clay Scroggins served in many pastoral roles at North Point Ministries, a multisite church started in Alpharetta, Georgia led by Andy Stanley. Most recently, Clay served as the lead pastor of Buckhead Church, one of North Point’s largest campuses. Clay is a sought-after speaker (that’s what he tells his parents) having worked with organizations ranging from the Dallas Cowboys or the staff at the White House all the way to Taco Bell or the Alabama Association of Tax Assessors. Clay lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife, Jenny, and their five children.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“Connection is what brings production.” Meet Kyle Idleman, Lead Pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Kyle sits down with Sean Morgan to talk through his pastoral journey from a lonely church planter to now leading one of the largest churches in America. Through key voices in his life, welcoming him in, speaking wisdom into his role, and placing helpful boundaries around pastoral input and output, Kyle has great wisdom to share with us in regard to church leadership. Join us for an episode full of vulnerability, real stories from his experiences, and even a sneak peek at Kyle’s latest book!
Welcome to Episode 076 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Kyle’s newest book, When Your Way Isn’t Working, releases this June!
To learn more about the dynamic between an Integrator and a Visionary, read Rocket Fuel, by Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters.
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS KYLE IDLEMAN?
Kyle Idleman is a bestselling author and the senior pastor at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, one of the largest churches in America. He’s most widely known for his award-winning book, not a fan., which has sold more than 1.3 million copies and has sparked a movement among believers.
Kyle has authored several other books including: When Your Way Isn’t Working,One at a Time, gods at war, andEnd of Me,
Kyle and his wife DesiRae have four children and live on a farm where he does no farming.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“My life has been a story of transition… I’m used to having to rely on the Lord and ask for His wisdom, guidance, and understanding.” Meet Sam Acho, a nine year NFL Veteran, ESPN Football Analyst, Humanitarian, and Author. Sam sits down with Sean to talk through each of the transitions in his life and what changed along the way. Through all of them, what remained the same was his commitment to Christ. Listen in on this episode as Sam shares not only the details of these transitions, but the imperative methods he’s discovered to let God lead the way.
Welcome to Episode 075 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Preorder Change Starts with You by Sam Acho
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and checkout my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS SAM ACHO?
ESPN Football Analyst & Nine-Year NFL Veteran Humanitarian & Author Ambassador, International Justice Mission Sam Acho is an author, a public speaker, a humanitarian, an in-studio analyst for ESPN, a nine-year NFL veteran, and a committed Christian. He’s also currently an ambassador for the International Justice Mission. Sam was recently inducted into the University of Texas Athletics Hall of Honor, having played college football at the University of Texas at Austin, where he received the William V. Campbell Trophy for being college football’s top scholar-athlete. He also won the NCAA Top VIII Award.
Twitter: @TheSamAcho
Instagram: @thesamacho
samachobook.com
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“Pastors moving into the Lead Pastor role need to ask, “What created this vacancy that God has called me to fill? People mistakenly assume that succession and retirement are synonyms. They’re not.”” Meet William Vanderbloemen, CEO & Founder of Vanderbloemen, an executive search firm. In this episode, William and Sean really lean in to combine their pre and post-transition experience, unpacking the top lessons from coaching churches through pastoral transition. William shares invaluable insight from his work in over 3,000 church successions and key advice for both the outgoing and incoming leader.
Welcome to Episode 074 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition, or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and checkout my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Next: Pastoral Succession That Works, Expanded and Updated
Balance salary & stewardship: Vanderbloemen compensation reports
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS WILLIAM VANDERBLOEMEN?
William Vanderbloemen was a pastor for 15 years and is now CEO & Founder of Vanderbloemen, an executive search firm. William started Vanderbloemen because he understands that when your team isn’t whole it disrupts your mission. He has combined his ministry experience as a Senior Pastor with the best practices of executive search to provide churches with a unique offering: a deep understanding of local church work with the very best knowledge and practices of professional executive search to complete your team. Vanderbloemen has staffed over 2,500 organizations. William is the author of Next: Pastoral Succession That Works, Search: The Pastoral Search Committee Handbook, and Culture Wins: The Roadmap to an Irresistible Workplace.
https://www.vanderbloemen.com/
Twitter: @VanderbloemenSG
IG: @Vanderbloemen
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“It wasn’t until maybe four years into me leading the church that I really felt like, “Okay, now I have a good sense as to what it means to lead the congregation from here to there from a vision perspective.” Meet Rich Villodas, lead pastor of New Life Fellowship, a large multiracial church in Elmhurst, Queens. In this episode, Rich shares his own leadership transition story, as he was called to lead New Life at 28 years old, succeeding the great Pete Scazzero. He gives listeners an inside look at the intimate details of his transition—both the things that went well and the areas that were most challenging for him as a young leader. This is an episode packed with wisdom and honesty on the topic of pastoral succession, you won’t want to miss it.
Welcome to Episode 073 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Good and Beautiful and Kind: Becoming Whole in a Fractured World by Rich Villodas
Leading Change by John Kotter
Check out a brand new resource from Sean Morgan and Carey Nieuwhof, the Pastoral Succession Toolkit. The Toolkit is available to pastors for free and includes access to a live workshop on Jan 23/24, a training video, and a few downloadable guides. Get yours today!
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS RICH VILLODAS?
Rich Villodas is the Brooklyn-born lead pastor of New Life Fellowship, a large multiracial church with more than seventy-five countries represented in Elmhurst, Queens. Rich holds a Master of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary. He enjoys reading widely, preaching and writing on contemplative spirituality, justice-related matters, and the art of preaching. He's been married to Rosie since 2006 and they have two beautiful children, Karis and Nathan. His first book, The Deeply Formed Life, is now available wherever books are sold.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry. Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
“Every leader has to rethink vision for every new season. Mission is the north star, but vision can and should be something that changes over the course of your career.” In today’s episode, we bring in two of the great leadership voices in ministry to unpack the recent Carey Nieuwhof vision winnowing and inspire leaders on forging ahead in the New Year. Carey Nieuwhof and Brad Lomenick join Sean Morgan in a vulnerable conversation about Carey’s crisis of vision this past year and how church leaders can find encouragement if they too are unsure about the road ahead.
Welcome to Episode 072 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
What’s stopping your church from growing? Identify and break your next growth barrier. Don’t wait, check out the Art of Leadership Academy.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO ARE CAREY NIEUWHOF AND BRAD LOMENICK?
Carey Nieuwhof is a best-selling leadership author, speaker, podcaster, former attorney, and church planter. He hosts one of today’s most influential leadership podcasts, and his online content is accessed by leaders over 1.5 million times a month. He speaks to leaders around the world about leadership, change, and personal growth.
His best-selling book, At Your Best: How to Get Time, Energy, and Priorities Working in Your Favor, is designed to help every leader escape stress and begin living at a sustainable pace and has been profiled by Forbes, Fast Company, and Business Insider.
Careynieuwhof.com
Twitter & Facebook: @cnieuwhof | Instagram & TikTok: @careynieuwhof
Brad Lomenick is a leadership consultant, speaker, founder of BLINC, and author of The Catalyst Leader and H3 Leadership. He writes about leadership, the next generation, creativity, innovation, social media, teamwork, and personal growth.
http://h3leadership.com
http://BradLomenick.com
@bradlomenick
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry.
Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
The Art of Leadership Academy - https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/
“God uses so many types of leaders that are way different from each other. So, it makes sense that there’s going to be all kinds of succession stories that God can bless equally.” Today, we’re joined by Dustin Aagaard and John Hampton, both pastors in the midst of a Lead Pastor transition at Journey Christian Church in Orlando. With specific insight into their current transition season, we’re hearing firsthand, from both sides, the nuances and wisdom that play into healthy leadership succession within a church.
Welcome to Episode 071 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
The Hero’s Farewellby Jeffrey Sonnenfeld
Succession Resource from Journey Christian Church
WHO ARE DUSTIN AAGAARD AND JOHN HAMPTON?
Pastor Dustin is the Associate Lead Pastor at Journey Christian Church in Apopka, Florida. Originally from Orlando, Florida, he started at Journey in December 2017 as the Family Pastor. He became the Associate Lead Pastor in 2020 and will be Journey's Lead Pastor starting in January 2023. Pastor Dustin’s heart and calling is to pray and prepare for revival. Pastor Dustin is married to his wife, TJ, who he met at church in middle school. They are blessed with three kids: Riley, Callie Joy, and Darby. Pastor Dustin loves hanging out with his family, as well as going to the beach, playing golf, and watching anything that’s on ESPN. He loves cheering on the Orlando Magic, the Miami Dolphins, and the Florida Gators.
Twitter: @dustinaagaard
Instagram: @danish_pastor
John Hampton is a native of a small town (Germantown) in Northern Kentucky. He is a 1984 graduate of Cincinnati Christian University (CCU) and a 1987 recipient of Kentucky Christian University’s Master of Ministry. He has also completed studies in Asbury Seminary’s Beeson Institute of Advanced Church Leadership in 2002. In March of 2010, John accepted a call to be Lead Pastor at Journey Christian Church in Apopka, FL, located just outside Orlando. He previously served as the Senior Pastor at First Christian Church, Canton, OH from August of 1997 until March of 2010. John has also served as the Senior Minister of Northern Heights Christian Church (now NorthEast Christian) in Lexington, KY (1988-1997); the Preaching Minister of Southwest Christian Church in Jackson, Mississippi (1984-1988); and began his preaching ministry at Claysville Christian Church in Cynthiana, KY while studying at CCU. John is the husband of Melinda to whom he has been married since June 4, 1983. He is the proud father of two daughters, Anna Ashie and Rachel Donaldson and has two sons-in-law, Nii (Anna’s husband) and Caleb (Rachel’s husband) and is “Pappy” to Hampton, Davies and Bryant Ashie.
The Giving Journey by John Hampton
Twitter: @JohnAlanHampton
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry.
Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
The Art of Leadership Academy - https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/
“We haven’t just had a change in culture in the last couple of years, we’ve had a cultural shift. We’re in a different playing field.” Many of you know Chris Brown, Senior Pastor and Teaching Pastor at North Coast Church in San Diego, CA. In today’s episode, Sean Morgan leans in with Chris on exactly how North Coast is innovating around online church and why it’s so important. Together, they unpack common misconceptions of online church and encourage leaders that for 2,000 years the Gospel has always found a way to maintain relevancy in a changing culture. Why should now be any different?
Welcome to Episode 070 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS CHRIS BROWN?
Chris Brown has served as a Senior Pastor and Teaching Pastor at North Coast Church since 2004. Prior to that, he was the Campus Pastor at Azusa Pacific University, and then a Youth Pastor in the LA area. As a gifted storyteller and Bible teacher he loves to use his sense of humor and motivational style to help people truly experience all of the grace and mercy that they have been given in order to fall more in love with Jesus. His life work and ambition is to use his unique gifts and personality to equip people to follow Jesus while building healthy and highly productive teams that serve the local church. Chris lives in Oceanside with his wife Amy and their three children, and tries to fish as much as his schedule will allow.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry.
Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
The Art of Leadership Academy - https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/
“Don’t be so busy trying to turn things around that you neglect the people you’re working with. Start tackling the small stuff to build up a resume and track record of success, then you can gradually start tackling bigger and bigger things that ultimately need to get changed as well.” We’re joined in this episode by Dr. Richard Blackaby, President of Blackaby Ministries, co-author of Experiencing God with his father, Henry Blackaby. Sean and Richard take a deep dive into the practical, daily details of what it takes to be successful in transitions leadership. They unpack gaining credibility as the new leader, making changes while still honoring the original purpose and message of the church, and seeing not just the problems, but the possibilities behind them.” This is a true masterclass on leadership!
Welcome to Episode 069 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
EPISODE LINKS
Experiencing God helped people actually experience and encounter God in your daily life, rather than just knowing God. Now available: The Experiencing God Bible: Knowing and Doing the Work of God
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
WHO IS DR. RICHARD BLACKABY?
Richard Blackaby earned an M.Div. and Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. With his father, Henry Blackaby, he co-authored Experiencing God, Fresh Encounter and numerous other books. Richard has also written Living Out of the Overflow and a forthcoming title, The Ways of God. Richard serves as the president of Blackaby Ministries International (Blackaby.org) and travels internationally speaking on leadership, revival, and God in the marketplace.
Website: http://www.blackaby.org
Facebook: @blackabyministries
Twitter: @ExperiencingGod
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry.
Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
The Art of Leadership Academy - https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/
“Love the church you have. Not the church you wish you had.” Meet James Forsyth, Senior Pastor of Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, TN. James grew up in Edinburgh, Scotland where he met his bride and started his family. He came to the US to go to seminary and stayed stateside as God called him and his family through two leadership transitions. James is an expert on the topic of transition. On this episode he leans in with James specifically on the currency of trust and four key transition leadership principles. If you are a young leader entering into a season of transition, this conversation will be a great resource for you.
Welcome to Episode 067 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
“Humility must be the chief characteristic of the outgoing pastor. Their transition feels like death by a thousand cuts. This is what they’ve dedicated their ministry to, their lives to, and they are having to slowly let it go…” Meet Daniel Im, Lead Pastor of Beulah Alliance Church, a multi-generational, multi-ethnic, and multi-campus church in Greater Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Daniel made his transition to the Leader Pastor role just before the pandemic, in January of 2019. He shares his personal transition story with us and gives insight into what he believes are some of the key components of a healthy succession. Daniel’s wisdom will bless you and your church.
Welcome to Episode 067 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
“The fear factor of a transition is real. And it will hit you. But you have to remind yourself that that is literally what the devils plan is to do to you. Is to paralyze you. He wants nothing more than to get you on your heels and start to revert back. But the Gospel is going no no, if God is for you who can be against you? I got you. You need to walk forward in faith and be strong and courageous like Joshua.” Meet Kevin Rhineheimer, Lead Executive Pastor of Mission Church in Gilbert, Arizona. Kevin has been on staff at Mission for over a decade and walked through two vastly different seasons of transition. In this episode he compares and contrasts those transitions and talks about his role as the “bridge leader” of the local church.
Welcome to Episode 066 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
“We tell our staff… if you are happy or aligned with 70% of what we’re doing as a church, then lay down the other 30% and embrace what God is doing.” On this episode we welcome Mike Bodine from Central Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mike is gracious enough to invite us into his living room to discuss the health of Central’s staff, the health of their church, and the health of the relationship between Mike and his Lead Pastor, Jud Wilhite. Mike shares incredible wisdom on fighting for culture in your church and why it matters. As he so concisely summarizes, “Culture is everything.”
Welcome to Episode 065 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
“Leaders are waiting around for their rooms to fill up, but newcomers to your church are waiting for you to make room for them.” In this episode, Sean leans into a question that so many church leaders and staff are wrestling with on this side of the pandemic… “when is our room full?” If you’ve thought maybe the rules have changed since the pandemic, you’d be right. But actually, maybe the rules we had been following were always wrong? Sean challenges listeners to think about what feels best to the newcomer, not to you or your staff, and equips us with leadership principles to support this shift.
Welcome to Episode 064 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
“For most churches, if you take 50% of your givers off the list, you’re only losing 2% of the gifts… Rather than talking about fear and anxiety of the coming recession, what if we talk about the real issue? Being broken-hearted about the spiritual condition of our people when it comes to money and possessions.” Meet Jim Sheppard, CEO & Principal of Generis, a firm passionate about coaching churches and creating contagious generosity. Today’s episode wrestles through some very current economic trends like inflation, recession, while guiding church leaders on how the disruption of the pandemic will require churches to change their playbook and update their scorecards. This is a must listen and one you’ll want to share with your team as you head into fall.
Welcome to Episode 063 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
“The definition of what the Lead Pastor needs to be and do coming out of the pandemic has changed.” In this episode, Sean sits down with Dr. Warren Bird from ECFA to lean into the challenges pastors are facing coming out of the pandemic, and into recession and inflation. With a heavy focus on Ephesians 4:11-12, Dr. Bird and Sean wrestle with how churches honestly answer the question, “Are we an equipping and empowering church?” and how as a leader, you must be examining your own calling, uniqueness, and gift mix to lead the church God’s way through your leadership.
Welcome to Episode 062 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
“The leadership lesson was that it all happened on my watch. It wasn’t all my fault, but it was my responsibility as a leader to shepherd my staff well and I wasn’t doing that.” Meet Jim Burgen from Flatirons Community Church in Colorado. In one of the most heartfelt and vulnerable episodes of our show, Jim opens up about what triggered his six month sabbatical and how God used it for Jim to come back as a better, healthier & stronger leader, just before Covid hit. Jim shares what he learned about himself, about the team at Flatirons, and how all of those lessons were imperative to setting him up well for a succession within the next five years. “I learned that I better be investing in Jesus and my wife, because they will still be there when I’m no longer at Flatirons.”
Welcome to Episode 061 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
“In spite of its brokenness, I still have hope for the local church. And I believe it's still God’s Plan A for reconciling the world.” Meet Nancy Beach and her daughter, Samantha Beach Kiley, two influential leaders of the Church and co-authors of Next Sunday: An Honest Dialogue About the Future of the Church. In this episode, Sean Morgan digs deep with Nancy and Samantha on the future of community, the future of inclusion, and the future of the church. Nancy and Sam will challenge our listeners to think differently about the way churches are leading and whether or not we’re actually making an impact on our congregants and our surrounding communities. Get ready to be inspired about what the church can be!
“People kept asking me, are you excited? But I wasn’t all that excited, and I felt like something was wrong. To be honest, I was a little bit scared. There are so many calls in scripture where the call was clear, but it wasn’t something they were excited about.” Meet Dave Dummitt, Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, dynamic leader and pastor who knows a thing or two about transitions. In this episode, Dave invites us into the behind-the-scenes process of being pursued by Willow, wrestling with God’s call to Chicago, and what it meant to leave 2|42 Community Church in its season of thriving. Dave says candidly, “This wasn’t a transition, it was a turnaround.” You won’t want to miss it.
“We’re half the church we were before Covid hit, attendance wise. But the foundation is stronger than it was when we built from where we are now, before.” Meet Greg Lindsey, Lead Pastor of Discovery Christian Church in Colorado Springs, CO. From lawyer, to church planter, to transitions leader, Greg has a transition story that didn’t start well, and then got worse before it ever got better. He shares his approach of leading Discovery with “duct tape and dreams” and encourages leaders to let off the gas in their striving and driving and be far more willing to grow slowly. To be willing to invest more in the people who are showing up right now. Greg doesn’t shy away from his doubts, his fears, his many challenges; and how God has continued to teach him raw dependence throughout his story. It’s a must listen.
Welcome to Episode 058 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
“People aren’t looking for solutions to problems they don’t understand. I would have spent a lot more time in my younger years selling the problem, rather than selling the solution that people weren’t in the market for.” Since 2008 Gene Appel has been leading Eastside Christian Church in Anaheim, CA. Prior to his long tenure and catalytic leadership at Eastside, he has modeled (twice) what it looks like to successfully transition into the senior leader role. In this episode, Gene shares the 6 things he set out to do in the first 100 days at Eastside, how important a united front really is in your new position, and the three stages that come before you should expect the harvest. Lastly, Gene shares with listeners the one metric Eastside is using to measure success post-pandemic and why it’s so important.
Welcome to Episode 057 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
“The most challenging leadership task we’ll ever take on is letting go.” On this episode of Leaders In Living Rooms, Ashley Wooldridge, Lead Pastor of Christ’s Church of the Valley in Phoenix, AZ shares his personal story of the baton handoff with former Lead Pastor, Don Wilson, five years later. Ashley’s unique perspective on transition comes from his time at Intel prior to joining the CCV team. He leans into how differently the secular world does leadership transitions (typically more successfully than the church) and what we can learn from their proven track record. He encourages leaders to approach a transition with a deep sense of knowing what you think can work, but also with humility; and how to do the same in your realignment efforts post-pandemic. Ashley is a wealth of knowledge and his passion for churches getting this right is inspiring. You don’t want to miss it.
Covid was a black swan event. Something that only happens maybe every twenty years, but completely changes culture. You have the opportunity for a new direction, a new place, a new time. What will you do with it? Meet Larry Osborne from North Coast Church who challenges leaders to understand where they really are today, not where they were two years ago. “Vision is worthless when you only know where you need to go. The starting point is you need to know where you are.”
“I don’t even know what I’m like rested if I live marginless.” Meet Alan Briggs, Director of Culture & Coaching at Stay Forth, an organization passionate about getting leaders healthy. In this episode, Alan addresses burnout, the role sabbaticals play in avoiding it (and how to receive them well). He walks listeners through creating margin by elimination, designation, delegation, and automation. Alan challenges, “By the time we are actually burnout, we are just realizing it. We are less able to name it, the more tired we are. Other people can typically see it before we can and sometimes we’re the last to know. If you get to a sabbatical, and need a sabbatical, you’re already too late.”
Welcome to Episode 054 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
Jonathan and Lindsey Hansen moved their two young children and a seventy pound labradoodle across the country. They were packed up and loaded down with passion, excitement, and vision for the church in California God was calling them to lead. What they walked into was a failed transition from the Founding Pastor/Planter, a church split, and a congregation that was in pain from all the change. What they thought would be a new beginning was actually a triage situation of people, of a church, who desperately needed care. In this episode, they reflect back on the “honeymoon phase” of their transition, what they would do differently in hindsight, and what encouragement they would give to others (and themselves) stepping into transition.
Welcome to Episode 053 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
Jay Kim’s transition story is so uniquely woven that it puts God’s perfect architecture of our lives on full display. With a story that stems from a longing to lead and a deep calling to shape culture, Jay invites us into the intimate details of his transition from WestGate Church to Vintage Church, and eventually back to WestGate. He talks us through the journey that he’s still on, the right pace of change during his transition, and the opportunities and challenges he faced along the way. “I had to untangle myself enough from my own ego, ambition, and insecurity, to be able to engage the transition process in a healthy way.” His number one piece of advice to leaders in transition? Put yourself in rooms with people who love you, admire you, truly know you, and who will name and shame the stuff that will eat you alive if you allow it. Oh and get comfortable with that feeling.
Welcome to Episode 052 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
“God’s call upon our lives doesn’t change. Our context may change, but our call never does.” Meet Eugene Cho, former Senior Pastor of Quest Church and President/CEO of Bread of the World. In this episode, Eugene shares insights about God’s calling for your life, defining your life’s values, and practical ways to monitor your health as a church leader. He encourages us to embodied leadership. To show up. When we feel like we have people on every side of the aisle hijacking the message of Jesus… Eugene reminds us how to place Jesus at the center of it all.
Welcome to Episode 051 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
For just over two years, you’ve been invited into the living rooms of over forty leaders; getting privileged insights into their life that few others have access to. Today’s show is a podcast milestone, marking the fiftieth episode of Leaders in Living Rooms! To celebrate 50 episodes, we’ve compiled seven of the top highlights and learnings from our guests. We invite you to listen in on the “cliff notes” from topics like leading your board well with Jud Wilhite to leading on empty with Wayne Cordeiro. You will be encouraged by all seven of these leaders as they speak incredible words of wisdom over the next generation of church leaders.
Welcome to Episode 050 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
“Change is painful, but it's better than death.” Meet Tommy Politz, Senior Pastor of Hillside Christian Church, who has served as pastor, church planter, and transitional leader in his 30+ years of ministry. In this episode, Tommy shares with us his own personal journey of transitional leadership and the wisdom he’s gained along the way. Transitional leaders will face high resistance in their quest for high impact. Paying attention to the rate, pace, and acceleration of decision making will be a critical element to a successful transition.
Welcome to Episode 049 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
There is both fulfillment and fruitfulness in staying in your current leadership role and in transitioning well to something new if God calls you to go. “We don't always have to leave to build a life of significance.” Meet Daniel Grothe from New Life Church, Colorado Springs, CO who shares his personal story of the road that led him to stay at New Life. If you are in a season of difficulty at your church, you will be inspired by Daniel’s story. He will encourage you that these are the moments where the spirit of the Lord will empower you to live a vow of stability, so you can stand and stay.
Welcome to Episode 048 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
Part 2 of 2 - Seacoast has been a pioneering church for decades and now continues a legacy of fruitful ministry through a senior leadership transition from father to son. Greg and Josh talk about the highs and lows of that transition and offer sage advice to anyone in a leadership transition.
Seacoast has been a pioneering church for decades and now continues a legacy of fruitful ministry through a senior leadership transition from father to son. Greg and Josh talk about the highs and lows of that transition and offer sage advice to anyone in a leadership transition.
Part 2 of Sean Morgan's discussion with Kevin Queen.
After a devastating transition of their lead pastor, Crosspoint church in Nashville was without a lead pastor and 3/4 of their executive team moved on. This is the story of Kevin's call to leadership at Crosspoint. Kevin has now led Crosspoint through a leadership transition, a direct hit by a tornado, and now a global pandemic. In part one of this two-part series, Kevin gets real about the most important things that keep him grounded, give him perspective, and encourage him.
After a devastating transition of their lead pastor, Crosspoint church in Nashville was without a lead pastor and 3/4 of their executive team moved on. This is the story of Kevin's call to leadership at Crosspoint. Kevin has now led Crosspoint through a leadership transition, a direct hit by a tornado, and now a global pandemic. In part one of this two-part series, Kevin gets real about the most important things that keep him grounded, give him perspective, and encourage him.
Chapelstreet church recently transitioned senior leadership from Brian Coffey to Jeff Frazier. Their story sets the bar for making room for younger leaders to rise up and then partnering with influence when the outgoing leader not only stays in the church but stays on staff. The story at Chapelstreet will open up your mind to the possibilities of leading well in transition seasons.
We close out our 3-part series on Unity with Carey Nieuwhof bringing some deep thought to the conversation. Carey openly talks about how we get our identity wrapped up in things that can easily divide us, how we need to remain humble with our opinions and conclusions, and how when we move to cancel someone or something it is actually more of a statement on our own lack of ability to deal with adversity.
About the Episode
We continue our dive into unity with Glenn Packiam giving insights on the historicity of unity in the early church and four keys to unity: Humility, Hospitality, Solidarity, Mutuality.
Who is Glen Packiam?
Glenn Packiam is an Associate Senior Pastor at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the lead pastor of New Life Downtown, one of the seven congregations of New Life Church.
He is the author of Worship and the World to Come (IVP Academic, 2020), and Blessed Broken Given: How Your Story Becomes Sacred in the Hands of Jesus (Multnomah, 2019).
Glenn earned a Doctorate in Theology and Ministry from Durham University in the UK. He also holds BA in Theological/Historical Studies and Masters in Management from Oral Roberts University, and a Graduate Certificate in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is a Visiting Fellow at St. John’s College at Durham University, and an adjunct professor at Denver Seminary. He is also an ordained priest with the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA).
Glenn is a regular speaker at conferences for pastors and church leaders, and was one of the founding leaders and songwriters for the Desperation Band and has been featured on several Desperation Band and NewLifeWorship recordings. He has also released three solo projects with Integrity Music, "The Mystery of Faith", "The Kingdom Comes", and "Rumors and Revelations". As a signed songwriter with Integrity Music, he has had the honor of writing and co-writing over 65 worship songs, including several well-loved songs, like "Your Name" and "My Savior Lives."
Glenn, his wife, Holly, their four children are enjoying life in the shadow of the mighty Rocky Mountains.
About the Episode
Sean unpacks why our culture is so self-centered, why leaders are losing respect, and how that leads to a lack of unity in the church. The process of rebuilding the foundation of the unity we need is discussed using the Three Essentials for Church Unity: Commitment, Humility, and Sacrifice.
Who is Sean Morgan?
Sean Morgan joined CDF Capital in 2014 to launch the Leadership Capital Team – focused on elevating local church leaders and their kingdom impact. A nationally known coach and speaker, Sean finds great joy in navigating ministries from obstacles to opportunities. He has developed a national reputation for connecting ministry leaders and being a catalyst of fresh vision; he founded and curates theascentleader.org. Sean served as Executive Pastor and CFO at New Life Church in Northern California. He’s husband to his amazing bride Stacy and a father to two incredible teenagers, Kaylee and Ayden. In his spare time he serves our country as a KC-10 pilot in the Air Force Reserve.
About the Episode
Our 2nd of 2 episodes on the topic of preparing the church for the decisions of a new leader - particularly when it comes to making changes to your org chart, structure, and even transitioning staff off. Jud and Jeff give us great insight.
Who is Jud Wilhite?
Jud Wilhite is an author, speaker and senior pastor of Central Church, a church founded in Las Vegas with over twelve locations nationally and internationally. Central is recognized as one of the largest and fastest growing churches in America. He is a bestselling author of several books, including Uncaged, The God of Yes, Pursued, and a study Bible for new believers, The Uncensored Truth Bible for New Beginnings. His teaching segments are heard nationally on K-LOVE radio. He and his wife, Lori, have two kids and live in the Las Vegas area.
Who is Jeff Brodie?
Jeff Brodie is the Lead Pastor of Connexus Church, one of Canada’s most influential churches located north of Toronto. He brings vision and leadership to Connexus’ multiple campuses and partnership network. Jeff has led in the multi-site church context for 20 years. He has a passion for investing in next-generation leaders and helping churches develop strategies and leverage tools to scale for greater impact.
About the Episode
Every church needs healthy change. But many times church culture resists change of all kinds. How do leaders prepare the church for change and make those changes in the healthiest ways possible? In this episode we bring in multiple leaders’ insight and expertise.
Who is Dave Stone?Dave Stone served at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY for the past 30 years. The last 14 he served as the senior Pastor and led them into the world of multi-site campuses. Since his "retirement" he's stayed busy as an interim pastor, serving on the Board of Spire, helping churches through transitions and being a mentor in The Ascent program.
Who is Ricky Jenkins?From his beginnings in Pearl, Mississippi, to Oakland, California, to Memphis, Tennessee, and Chicago, Illinois, Ricky has been preaching the gospel for over 20 years. Fueled by Acts 20:28, Ricky is called to pursue God passionately and pursue God’s people compassionately for the glory and honor of Jesus Christ. Ricky Jenkins is the Senior Pastor of Southwest Church in Indian Wells, CA.
Who is John Fanous?
John Fanous serves as Lead Pastor of University Covenant Church in Davis, California. Before this, he served as a consultant, helping churches and businesses develop healthy teams. In addition, he has been a university campus minister in San Francisco and a church planter in Pittsburg, California. His passions are leadership development, building healthy staff teams, and multi-ethnic ministry. John studied Sociology at the University of California, Berkeley, and later received a Master's Degree in Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary.
About the Episode
Nate and George Ross, pastors of Northside Christian Church in New Albany, Indiana, open up about the father-son dynamics in leadership transitions. There are both pros and cons and no matter what it takes resolve and grace.
Who are Nate and George Ross?
Nate Ross was a nomad from day one. Living in Scottsburg, Indiana, but being born in Louisville, Kentucky was the beginning of the travels on which God would take him. Being raised in a ministry home meant being obedient to God's calling more than comfort, which led to his family doing ministry in four different states during his childhood. For this reason, he couldn't be more grateful to his parents for being such Godly servants and parents.
The Lord led Nate and his wife, Ruthie, to Northside in March of 2008 to be a part of the Church staff as the Associate Minister of Involvement. Connecting people to Christ, community, and God's calling has always been Nate's heartbeat, and he couldn't be more thrilled to serve now as the Lead Pastor of such an amazing staff and dynamic Church.
George Ross is the Teaching Pastor at Northside Church. George and his family moved from Las Vegas, Nevada in March of 1999 to begin serving at Northside and he considers this the ride of his life. His time spent in the desert opened his eyes fully to the incredible amount of Grace that Jesus has made available to all of us. After serving 32 years in ministry, George’s heart still beats emphatically to see people fully embrace Jesus as Savior and the Leader of their life. He feels honored and humbled to serve alongside an incredible group of elders, and he can’t wait to see what God does next in Southern Indiana and the world.
About the Episode
Nate and George Ross, pastors of Northside Christian Church in New Albany, Indiana, open up about the father-son dynamics in leadership transitions. There are both pros and cons and no matter what it takes resolve and grace.
Who are Nate and George Ross?
Nate Ross was a nomad from day one. Living in Scottsburg, Indiana, but being born in Louisville, Kentucky was the beginning of the travels on which God would take him. Being raised in a ministry home meant being obedient to God's calling more than comfort, which led to his family doing ministry in four different states during his childhood. For this reason, he couldn't be more grateful to his parents for being such Godly servants and parents.
The Lord led Nate and his wife, Ruthie, to Northside in March of 2008 to be a part of the Church staff as the Associate Minister of Involvement. Connecting people to Christ, community, and God's calling has always been Nate's heartbeat, and he couldn't be more thrilled to serve now as the Lead Pastor of such an amazing staff and dynamic Church.
George Ross is the Teaching Pastor at Northside Church. George and his family moved from Las Vegas, Nevada in March of 1999 to begin serving at Northside and he considers this the ride of his life. His time spent in the desert opened his eyes fully to the incredible amount of Grace that Jesus has made available to all of us. After serving 32 years in ministry, George’s heart still beats emphatically to see people fully embrace Jesus as Savior and the Leader of their life. He feels honored and humbled to serve alongside an incredible group of elders, and he can’t wait to see what God does next in Southern Indiana and the world.
Joel Thomas was Northpoint Community Church’s first intern back before they were even running 1000 in attendance. He went on to become their Alpharetta Campus Pastor, and while he wasn't looking for a lead pastor gig anywhere, God called him into that role at Mission Community Church in Phoenix, AZ.Mission had just been through a year without a pastor after a devastating moral failure of the prior lead pastor left them hurting and confused. Joel will talk about how pervasive culture was, how he began to diagnose unhealthy parts of their culture and lead them toward maturity while pastoring them through the hurt and pain they were feeling.
Joel Thomas is the Lead Pastor at Mission Community Church in Gilbert, AZ. Joel has over 25 years experience in engaging and inspiring ministry leadership roles. His key strengths include, vision, communication, strategic planning and relational ministry. Joel is passionate about leading people to find a thriving life in a relationship with Jesus. “Jesus is for everyone and that is why we are a church that is for everyone.”
Joel Thomas was Northpoint Community Church’s first intern back before they were even running 1000 in attendance. He went on to become their Alpharetta Campus Pastor, and while he wasn't looking for a lead pastor gig anywhere, God called him into that role at Mission Community Church in Phoenix, AZ.Mission had just been through a year without a pastor after a devastating moral failure of the prior lead pastor left them hurting and confused. Joel will talk about how pervasive culture was, how he began to diagnose unhealthy parts of their culture and lead them toward maturity while pastoring them through the hurt and pain they were feeling.
Joel Thomas is the Lead Pastor at Mission Community Church in Gilbert, AZ. Joel has over 25 years experience in engaging and inspiring ministry leadership roles. His key strengths include, vision, communication, strategic planning and relational ministry. Joel is passionate about leading people to find a thriving life in a relationship with Jesus. “Jesus is for everyone and that is why we are a church that is for everyone.”
Sean Morgan continues his discussion with Pastor Danny Anderson of Emmanuel Church in Indiana talks about taking the lead role at a mega church at age 28, a crazy season of leadership, and how he worked to reshape the church toward reaching the unchurched. After over 60% of the church left (yup, you read that right) God began to free the church up to gain momentum in reaching the lost in Indianapolis.
Danny has served as Lead Pastor of Emmanuel Church since 2006, having previously served as Emmanuel’s High School Pastor for six years. As Lead Pastor, Danny is the primary communicator for Emmanuel’s weekend messages, and serves as leader of the Staff Leadership Team. An avid reader, Danny also enjoys shooting hoops in his limited free time, as well as spending time with his wife Jackie, their three children (Andrew, Beau, & Ruby), and dog Buddy. He is a dedicated fan of Michael Jordan and has quoted the movie, Braveheart, from the platform on more than one occasion. His podcast, The Breakthrough Podcast, discusses how to reach our full potential and become the people God made us to be.
Pastor Danny Anderson of Emmanuel Church in Indiana talks about taking the lead role at a mega church at age 28, a crazy season of leadership, and how he worked to reshape the church toward reaching the unchurched. After over 60% of the church left (yup, you read that right) God began to free the church up to gain momentum in reaching the lost in Indianapolis.
Danny has served as Lead Pastor of Emmanuel Church since 2006, having previously served as Emmanuel’s High School Pastor for six years. As Lead Pastor, Danny is the primary communicator for Emmanuel’s weekend messages, and serves as leader of the Staff Leadership Team. An avid reader, Danny also enjoys shooting hoops in his limited free time, as well as spending time with his wife Jackie, their three children (Andrew, Beau, & Ruby), and dog Buddy. He is a dedicated fan of Michael Jordan and has quoted the movie, Braveheart, from the platform on more than one occasion.
His podcast, The Breakthrough Podcast, discusses how to reach our full potential and become the people God made us to be.
About the Episode
Pastor Dave Ferguson is the author of Hero maker: Five Essential Practices for Leaders to Multiply Leaders. Among Dave's many talents are his natural optimism and his innovation in church planting and the multisite model. In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms we learn how he maximizes his strengths while ensuring the leaders around him still have room to thrive as they operationalize and execute ministry.
Who is Dave Ferguson?
Dave Ferguson is an award-winning author, founding and lead pastor of Chicago’s Community Christian Church, a missional multi-site community considered one of the most influential churches in America. Dave is also the visionary for the international church-planting movement NewThing and president of the Exponential Conference.
daveferguson.coInstagram: @fergusondaveTwitter: @davefergusonHero Maker
Thanks to our sponsors: CDF Capital and Food For The Hungry.
https://theascentleader.org/dave-ferguson
About the Episode
Almost all of us lead things that were started before us. It can be challenging in ways we don’t anticipate. Leaders In Living Rooms remains focused on helping transition leaders lead forward toward health and growth...even if someone else started what they are now leading. In this episode, we discuss these challenges with Tyler Reagin, author of, Leading Things You Didn't Start: Winning Big When You Inherit People, Places, and Possibilities.
Who is Tyler Reagin?
Tyler Reagin is the founder and CEO of The Life Giving Company (lifegiving.co). He is the author of The Life-Giving Leader (Oct 2018) and Leading Things You Didn’t Start (March, 2021).
Tyler was the President of Catalyst, a leadership development organization that exists to unify and equip leaders who love the Church through resources and experiential events. Prior to leading the charge at Catalyst, Tyler served for seven years under the leadership of Andy Stanley as the Service Programming Director of Browns Bridge Community Church (a campus of North Point Ministries).
Tyler Reagin received his Masters of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and serves as a leadership coach for teams and organizations.
www.TylerReagin.comInstagram: @tylerreaginTwitter: @tylerreagin
Leading Things You Didn’t Start
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Andy Wood is our guest this week on Leaders in Living Rooms, where he and Sean Morgan talk about the dangers of limiting ourselves with self-doubt. In his roles of church planter, pastor, and podcaster, Andy has experienced the mind-games that can reduce our capacity for what God has called us to do, and he has suggestions for overcoming them. He and Sean also discuss building better teams and empowering them to perform at their best—which often requires us to grow first.
Andy Wood is the Lead Pastor of Echo.Church, one of the fastest-growing churches in the San Francisco Bay area. Echo’s vision is to make a positive difference through serving and loving the community around each of its 4 campuses. Andy is an entrepreneur at heart, a husband, and a father to 3 children.
General Boyd Parker is a decorated Air Force officer at the Pentagon, an accomplished combat pilot, and a key leader who has influenced Sean Morgan in his career and ministry. In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean and General Parker dive into the heart behind good leadership—serving others to make things better. They talk about methods that sometimes engulf intent and the significance of personal discipline for leaders.
Stationed at the Pentagon, Major General Boyd Parker is the Mobilization Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy, Integration, and Requirements. He develops Air Force strategy and operational concepts to achieve national defense objectives.
General Parker received his commission in 1990 from the USAF Academy, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematical Science. He earned his pilot wings at Williams Air Force Base in 1991 and was assigned to fly the KC-10 Extender. During his 30-year Air Force career, General Parker has held command positions at the squadron and group levels. General Parker is a command pilot with more than 5,000 military flying hours in the T-38, C-12, and KC-10. He is married to Colonel (retired) Marlena Parker and has 2 daughters, Isabel and Olivia.
Thanks to our Sponsors: CDF Capital and Food for the Hungry.
Long-time minister at New Hope Church, Wayne Cordeiro has led through incredible circumstances over the years. Sharing wisdom from the heart, he recounts a long and inspiring trajectory of growth and multiplication. He also recalls a challenging time In his 50s when his multi-faceted ministry was interrupted by a heart attack that forced him to make significant changes to his health as a leader.
Dr. Wayne Cordeiro is the founding minister of New Hope Church in Oahu, Hawaii. One of the fastest-growing churches in the nation, New Hope oversees 4 Bible colleges and has planted over 150 churches across the Pacific Rim and throughout the western United States. Wayne believes in investing in future leaders and releasing the God-given potential of the new generation. To this end, he serves as president of New Hope Christian College in Eugene, Oregon, which recently planted a lab church, New Hope West, to provide a venue for hands-on practicum for his ministerial students during the Covid pandemic.
Wayne has authored 12 books including Leading on Empty, Doing Church as a Team, The Divine Mentor, and The Irresistible Church, and he is the general editor of the Life Connect Study Bible. Wayne and his wife Anna have 3 children and 9 grandchildren and split their time between Hawaii and Oregon, where they have a family ranch. Wayne’s hobbies include teaching the Word of God and discipling leaders for the Kingdom, and he enjoys music, reading, and horses.
You can learn more at https://www3.enewhope.org.
In the latest episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Rusty George shares his ministry journey succeeding church planter Kyle Idleman at Real Life Church in Southern California. He explains what he has learned about leading a church that someone else started and discusses the challenge of planning without becoming a control freak. Finally, he gives us a glimpse into After Amen, his new book on the topic of waiting on God for answered prayer.
Rusty George is the Lead Pastor at Real Life Church, a multi-site church with campuses in Canyon Country, Simi Valley, and Valencia, California, and with a large online community. Under Rusty’s lead, Real Life has become one of the fastest-growing churches in America. Rusty is an author and a global speaker, leader, and teacher, focusing his message on helping people to find and follow Jesus.
Aside from being a loyal Chiefs, Royals, and Lakers fan, Rusty is first and foremost committed to his family. He and Lorrie, his wife of over 20 years, have two daughters, Lindsey and Sidney. As a family they enjoy walking the dogs, watching the Food Network, and playing board games.
Mike Foster, also known as “the Mr. Rogers of self-development,” has worked with thousands of leaders, and his talks and books are internationally renowned. In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Mike helps us unpack the hard parts of life and leadership, like dealing with our pain before it deals with us, finding our primal questions, and redefining church leadership success.
Who is Mike Foster?
Mike Foster is a best-selling author, speaker, and executive counselor empowering people to build strong lives by turning their setbacks into superpowers. Like a grace-flavored snow cone on a hot, judgmental day, Mike’s chart-topping and highly acclaimed Fun Therapy podcast and STRONGEST workshop give listeners and participants the one-two punch they need to stop making excuses and start living stronger, better lives.
Mike is the author of several best-selling books including Freeway and Wonderlife. His wildly popular Five Dates his/her workbooks empower couples to build togetherness strategically, and his latest book, You Rise Glorious, is the essential guide to breaking shame and living free. He lives in San Diego with his wife Jennifer and their fluffy dog.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Brain Detox
In this must-listen episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Dr. Dharius Daniels shares with Sean Morgan about his upbringing as a pastor’s kid in small-town America. They discuss disciple development, criticism, and the temptation to live our lives according to the opinions of others. Dharius talks about the shape of the American church—what are we getting wrong, and what direction do we need to head in 2021?
Who is Dharius Daniels?
Dr. Dharius Daniels is a cultural architect and trendsetter for his generation. He is an innovative leader, a strategic thinker, and an articulate and prolific preacher. As founder and lead pastor of Change Church, he leads a vibrant ministry that impacts people of all ages, socioeconomic, and ethnic backgrounds from locations in New Jersey, Florida, and California.
Dharius holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Millsaps College, a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is a certified personal coach with a versatile gift, speaking frequently in seminaries and churches across the country and serving on the board of directors for the National Association of Evangelicals. He and his wife Shameka have two sons.
In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sam Acho talks about handling success as a Christian influencer in the NFL. He and Sean Morgan discuss the power of a good name and the importance of being a lifelong learner. Sam talks about using his relational gifts to influence those around him. Finally, Sam shares how he has been able to see God's blessings during the storms of life.
Sam Acho is an NFL player, writer, public speaker, and humanitarian. He speaks at colleges, events, conferences, and churches, and he is the cohost of The Home Team podcast. He is the founder and president of Athletes for Justice, a vice president of the NFL Players Association, and a graduate of the University of Texas and the Thunderbird School of Global Management. In his book Let the World See You, Sam reveals the benefits of a lifestyle lived on purpose.
In this episode, Hosanna dives into her trajectory as a spoken word artist. She helps us learn how to stay authentic and to be truly seen
by those we influence. Hosanna talks about handling success, influence, and the personal battles that arise in our hearts, including
the challenge of killing one’s own ego. Finally, she offers these 4 keys to developing female leaders in our ministries: invitation,
inclusion, provision, and permission.
In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, skiing pioneer and 2-time Olympic gold medal winner David Wise takes us along on his faith journey. He recounts his meteoric rise in his sport and the reaction of his grace-filled church when he confessed some huge mistakes. We relive the story of David’s 2 harrowing crashes, which led up to his breathtaking gold medal run in 2018. Finally, he tells us about his current walk with Jesus and his pastoral calling.
In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Patrick Lencioni shares:
- How to build teams in order to get things done
- The frustrations at home and at work that inspired The Six Types of Working Genius system
- How he developed one of the most effective tools for building the right teams
- How each of the 6 types of genius can be maximized
- How to think about managing your church board
- and much, much more.
Check out The Six Types of Working Genius.
Use code "LIVINGROOM" for a 50% discount.
At the heart of human happiness are purpose, love, and belonging. In this episode, Sean Morgan and Nicky Gumbel discuss how to find hope in the midst of despair, avoiding false hope and worry. After years of ministry, Nicky explains what he's learned about how to unify others, respectfully disagree, and be a better questioner.
Former NFL safety turned church planter, author, and pastor Dr. Derwin Gray dives into a great conversation on the theological call for multiethnic churches, what needs to transform coming out of COVID-19 for the Church, along with much, much more.
Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets is Andy Stanley's new book that will undoubtedly transform leaders everywhere. Sean and Andy spend this episode unpacking the keys to the book and discussing how Andy learned them from his Father and life circumstances.
In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean Morgan sits down with Warren Bird, author of 33 church leadership books. Warren brings incredible insight and wisdom into church leadership that you won't want to miss. This is Warren Bird at his best.
Pete Wynter is the Director of Leadership College London, a curate at Holy Trinity Brompton, and founder and trustee at OneLife. Pete is passionate about changing the world by influencing global leaders and seeing the cascading effect of their influence. Pete understands that your influence begins by examining your character—he talks about his own journey of examination and how he helps leaders do the same.
Ray Johnston joins Leaders in Living Rooms to give us insight into his creative genius, his leadership acumen, and why after 25 years Bayside Church is the fastest growing church in America. You DON'T want to miss this!
Jim Tomberlin joins Sean to consider how the new realities of 2020 are changing church multiplication and how mergers can help solve succession issues and pastoral compensation. They also discuss Better Together: Making Church Mergers Work, Jim's book with Warren Bird that has been expanded and updated in a new edition.
Brad Lomenick talks with Sean Morgan about how to be a thought leader, the ways to influence without positional power, curating vs. creating, living in the tension of hope and reality, and what Brad's been up to since leaving Catalyst.
Pat Gelsinger joins Sean Morgan to talk through Pat's journey from a farming family in Pennsylvania to becoming Glassdoor's #1 CEO in the country in 2019 at VMware and co-founder of Transforming the Bay with Christ. Pat's technology background provides a new light to our ongoing conversation on transition. Listen in as he humbly provides excellent leadership advice centered around leading with vision and shaping culture.
Ken Costa shares insight amidst rapidly changing church methods, the spiritual context of church in our homes, and staying relevant as a leader and influencer with age. Ken is a renowned investment banker, Chairman Emeritus of Alpha International, and author of several books: God at Work, Know Your Why, Strange Kingdom, and Joseph of Arimathea: The Extraordinary Calling of Ordinary People.
In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean Morgan sits down with Dave Stone to reflect back on following founder Bob Russell at Southeast Christian Church, then passing the baton last year to Kyle Idleman, and now his interim role at Harvest Bible Chapel.
In the rapid move to church online, communicators need a crash course on how to communicate more effectively. No longer is there a large room full of people you can be eye-to-eye with—you've now got families gathering together around screens in their living rooms and kitchens. Your style of communication must adapt. Steve Carter brings wisdom worth following. Please visit our website for the full content of Steve's blogpost.
In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean Morgan sits down with James Grogan and Mike Meeks from Eastlake Church to talk leadership transition, multisite mergers, being boldly honest, team culture, and raising up young leaders. After 20 years of Mike's faithful leadership at Eastlake, in 2017 he handed off the Lead Pastor role to James Grogan. Listen in on their story of healthy succession.
This episode of Leaders In Living Rooms is the second part of a conversation Sean Morgan had with Kenton Beshore to further study the Mariners Church transition one-on-one. They talked very openly and honestly through this journey, looking at the personal identity associated with senior leadership. Don't miss out on their discussion of philosophies and paradigms to better understand leadership and transitions.
Sean Morgan sits down with Kenton and Laurie Beshore to discuss ministry transitions. They will unpack the highs and lows of a megachurch succession from their years of ministry. Kenton and Laurie go deep and personal in what has been a 15-year planned transition at Mariners Church.
Sean sits down with David Kinnaman, president of Barna Group, a leading research and communications company that works with churches, nonprofits, and businesses ranging from film studios to financial services. Sean and David discuss the crisis of church leadership transitions, groundbreaking research on what's happening after the baton pass in succession, staying past your prime, and staying on mission.
Aaron Brockett is the lead pastor of Traders Point Christian Church in Indianapolis. Twelve years after taking over leadership of Traders Point, Aaron looks back at the growth, misses, and wins from his years of ministry. Listen in for great insight on building trust and bringing change through transition.
Brady Boyd is the Senior Pastor of the multi-congregational New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. For the last ten years he has been pastoring a church while leading on a foundation of love. Years after stepping into his positions at New Life, a story of leadership transition done well is on display.
Carey Nieuwhof is a former lawyer and founding pastor of Connexus Church. He’s the author of several best-selling books, and speaks to leaders around the world about leadership, change and personal growth. On this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean and Carey chat about new succession paradigms and how new leaders are lead into the future.
Jud Wilhite serves as Senior Pastor of Central Church in Las Vegas, NV. He is a leader who knows what successful ministry transition can look like after stepping in to pastor Central Church. On this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Jud and Sean Morgan chat about learning lessons in ministry through transition, leadership calling, and so much more.