Ben Pilgreen

About The Episode

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. 

INSIGHTS FROM BEN 

• Church Planting vs. Established Church Leadership: Ben discusses the differences between the high-energy, task-driven environment of church planting and the more strategic, delegation-focused leadership required in an established church.
• Leadership Transition: As Epic Church grows, Ben reflects on the transition from being involved in every detail to focusing on vision, teaching, and staff development.
• Coaching and Energy Management: Ben highlights the importance of channeling his high energy into meaningful coaching and leadership activities, ensuring he’s not overextending into areas that aren’t the best use of his time.
• Teaching and Preaching Rhythm: Ben shares his approach to teaching, including the development of a teaching cohort at Epic Church, and the importance of taking strategic breaks to maintain long-term effectiveness.
• Seasonal Leadership Adjustments: The discussion includes practical advice on managing leadership and preaching schedules, particularly around holidays and vacation times, to ensure sustainability and effectiveness.

Board Involvement & Church Governance

• Outside Advisors: Sean emphasizes the value of having external pastors or advisors on church boards, noting that they bring a unique perspective and can address issues that local boards might miss. He draws a parallel to the biblical model of Paul acting as an elder or advisor to churches.

Trends in Church Life

• Hope & Revival: Ben observes a significant increase in hope within the church, with a hunger for spiritual awakening and revival, noting that this is a supernatural movement. He mentions this trend is present in various locations, from London to the Bay Area.
• Growth in San Francisco: Despite negative perceptions of San Francisco, Ben highlights that his church is experiencing its highest year-over-year growth in 14 years. He attributes this to a growing hunger for spiritual connection, even in challenging environments.
• Creativity & Practical Challenges: Ben discusses the need for creativity in managing church resources, especially in expensive cities like San Francisco. He mentions the necessity of multi-use buildings and creative staffing solutions like bivocational or covocational roles.

Online vs. In-Person Worship

• Power of Gathering: Contrary to predictions about the decline of in-person worship, Ben is witnessing a renewed desire for physical gatherings. He acknowledges the role of online church but emphasizes the unique power of the Spirit present in physical gatherings.

Book Promotion: Bring It Out

• Book Launch: Ben’s book, “Bring It Out,” is out now. The book is about cultivating unique gifts and assignments and is inspired by Ben’s own journey, particularly his experiences over the last decade.
• Church Resources: Ben is creating an eight-week sermon series and small group guide based on the book, with all materials available for free. These resources will be accessible on his website by mid-August 2024, allowing churches to integrate the content into their programming.

Application for Church Leaders

Inspiration & Application: The book serves both as inspiration and a practical guide. Ben shares his personal story of overcoming fear, such as dropping a public speaking class out of fear, to becoming a public speaker and leader. The book offers principles and questions to help individuals move from their current state to their desired future, whether in church leadership, personal growth, or community involvement.