Leaders in Living Rooms
LILR 145 | Jimmy Scroggins on Succession and Multisite
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.
LILR 144 | Revival...What do I do next? with Glenn Packiam
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.
LILR 143 | Danny Anderson on Church Growth and a Pastor’s Soul
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.
LILR 142 | Josh Rhodes & Tim Haring on Foundations of Healthy Succession
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.
LILR 141 | Joel Thomas on Next Level Leadership
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.
LILR 140 | Chip Dodd and The Pitfalls of Leadership
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.
LILR 139 | Aaron Brockett on Leading with Clarity When It Counts
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.
LILR 138 | Dave Ferguson & Ted Coniaris: Behind the Scenes of the COMMUNITY Succession
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.
LILR 137 | Eugene Cho on Life and Leadership
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.
LILR 136 | Sean Morgan on Aligning Your Team for Momentum
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.
LILR 135 | Sean Morgan on Building and Keeping High-Horsepower Teams
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.
LILR 134 | Randy Frazee on Navigating a Pastoral Transition
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.
LILR 133 | Danny Strange on Finding Fresh Vision
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.
LILR 132 | Jay Kim and Steve Clifford on Wisdom and Leadership from Westgate Church
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.
LILR 131 | Bert Crabbe on Leadership, Margin, and Preaching Growth
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.
LILR 130 | Warren Bird on Pastor Health and How The Mighty Fall
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.
LILR 129 | Succession and Change with Johnson Bowie
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.
LILR 128 | Jason Mitchell and Leadership Succession at LCBC
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.
LILR 124 | Glenn Packiam and the Rockharbor Transition
"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.
LILR 123 | A Must-Listen: Jesse DeYoung on Navigating Organizational Doubt
"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.