Author name: Emily Heaton

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.

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.

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.

“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.

“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.

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.

“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.

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.

“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.

Sean engages with Mike and David, 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.

“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.

“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.

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.