Blog
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.
Unveiling the 7 Game-Changing Shifts in the First 2 Years
Whether you're planting a church or leading one, these seven shifts will be pivotal in the first two years of development. They set the tone for a community's growth and impact. Remember, it's about a long obedience in the same direction. Take it step by step, and give yourself and your team the grace to grow.
LILR 105 | From Splant to 2x Growth with Jeremiah Ramer (Momentum Part 2)
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.
LILR 104 | Ray Johnston on The Surprising Secret to Building Momentum
“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.
5 Bold Convictions on Prayer for Every Church Planter
Prayer—it's not just some spiritual tool you whip out when you need it. Today, Mike Hickerson and David Hibiske talk about how skipping prayer might actually be holding you back more than you think. Starting with pastors’ own private prayer time, Mike and David break down how investing your time and even some cash into prayer can transform the heart of your church. Listen in for practical tips on bringing prayer into your community, making it accessible and meaningful for everyone.
LILR 103 | Joel Muddamalle on Pride and Humility
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.
LILR 102 | Les McKeown on Connecting the Leadership Dots
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.
Rick Burge on the Truth About Church Planter Assessments and Building Genuine Partnerships
“If you can’t understand who you are, you’re probably misdiagnosing who other people are.” Meet Rick Burge, a dynamic leader and coach with a passion for identifying, developing, and mentoring high-capacity leaders. Rick walks through a detailed list of key characteristics for church planters wanting to build up healthy partnerships. From basic leadership competencies to tips for handling the pressure of planting, Rick guides us thoughtfully through this conversation of healthy church planting.
LILR 101 | Sam Chand on Leadership Fitness and the Fallacy of Balance
“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.”