Blog
LILR 115 | Andy Wood and the Saddleback Transition: Leadership Insights
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.
LILR 114 | Ben Pilgreen on the Stages of Leadership and Board Development
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.
You've Planted, Now What? How to Bring Alignment to Your Church
“We’re not after control…we’re after a common goal.” In today’s episode, David Hibiske guides us through eight steps of aligning your ministry after you’ve launched. It’s one thing to be busy, and it can be an entirely different thing to be effective. We’re reminded in today’s episode that we’re not after busyness, but we’re after traction in our mission. Listen in for a ton of practical questions to ask each step of the way and helpful tools to get your ministry in alignment after you’ve launched.
LILR 113 | Kenton Beshore on What It Takes to Lead in Various Church Roles
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!
5 Unexpected Ways to Build Trust With Your Team
The problem with trust is that it isn't a one time initiative, but rather the outcome of ongoing behavior. The opportunity for every leader is that there are simple and consistent things you can do to build trust, and some of the most trust-building activities are things you can control.
Building Organizational Trust and Managing Organizational Doubt
Every single person on your team wants to work for a mission they care about, leaders they trust, with work that’s life-giving. Use the stages of organizational doubt as a framework to help your team stay engaged and believe in your church.
"Invitation Only" Influence
The Information Age has created something unique for our times: young leaders now have access to more information than ever before. However, this abundance and opportunity for education have led to what can be termed "great miseducation." Young leaders are highly informed but not fully formed, often lacking the wisdom, character, and learned experience essential for effective leadership. The need for genuine relationships has never been greater, and this open door presents a significant opportunity for the right people to step forward. But who are these right people?
LILR 112 | Kenton and Laurie Beshore on What’s Really Important After Four Decades in Ministry
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.
The Importance of Coaching & Mentorship in Church Planting
“If you feel like you have to choose, choose your family.” Coaching plays a crucial role in the success of your leadership. Today, we’re hearing from Ben Pilgreen and Ernest Smith as they discuss the ways coaching impacted more than the health of their churches…it has contributed to the health of their families.
LILR 111 | Brian Tome on YOUR Mandate to Develop Leaders
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.
What if Your Biggest Problem is Your Staff?
Can you imagine if just one of the rowers decided to stop rowing and take a breather, or worse, dip their oar in the water while they rested? Any leader of a high-performing organization (and I hope you believe your church should be high-performing!) deserves to have a team that is fully aligned.
LILR 110 | Jenni Catron on "Healthy AND High Performing"
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.
Tim Celek's Insights on Reviving the Call & Prioritizing Evangelism in Today's World
“Assignments change, but your calling doesn’t.” Meet Tim Celek, Senior Director of Post-Launch Services at Stadia. In today’s episode, guest host, Sean Morgan, leads a conversation with Tim to help us understand the nuances of calling and evangelism in the church today. You’ll hear what Tim has noticed trending in church planters within the last five years, and how to instill an evangelism mindset in the core of your church.
LILR 109 | Daniel Im on Avoiding Being a Leadership Chameleon
“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.
Good Things Happen When Leaders Gather
One of the most important jobs of a leader is to stay encouraged. Discouragement drains energy, blocks vision, and gets passed on to those we lead, and because of that it is our responsibility to be in situations and with people who encourage us.
Now It's Time To Communicate
Getting to the finish line on making a decision can be exhausting and the wave that washes over us once resolve and resolution are reached is just peaceful enough to tempt us into believing that the hard work is done. In reality, we’ve simply finished the swim portion in the triathlon of leadership
LILR 108 | Sean Morgan on One Thing You’re Getting Wrong When Making Decisions
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.
Setting the Tone for a Great Weekend Experience
Today, we're discussing the crucial role of weekend services for church planters, emphasizing their importance for spiritual growth, welcoming first-time guests, and creating momentum. David outlines four key ways to enhance weekend experiences: setting the tone spiritually through personal devotion and prayer, culturally by reinforcing vision and excellence, strategically for guest outreach by lowering anxiety and ensuring clarity, and aligning all teams and ministries to work cohesively. Hibiske encourages church planters to prioritize spiritual readiness, inspect and improve cultural standards, focus on guest experiences, and foster team alignment to drive growth and engagement in their churches.
LILR 107 | John Ortberg on Detaching Identity from Performance
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.
LILR 106 | James Grogan on What Sparks Momentum
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.