Filipe Santos
Filipe Santos’ Insights on the Echo Church Transition
About The Episode
“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.
Welcome to Episode 121 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
Insights from Filipe
The Call to California: Filipe recounts how he and his wife felt the Holy Spirit’s undeniable leading, even when moving to California felt like a daunting step of faith.
Transition Moments: Filipe describes the emotional rollercoaster of Andy Wood announcing his departure and the clarity that came through prayer, spiritual confirmation, and conversations with mentors.
Collaborative Leadership: Filipe explains how he leans on a teaching team and other leaders to complement his strengths, embracing the idea that leadership doesn’t have to follow a single model.
Soul Care Practices: A 10-month spiritual direction program helped Filipe recognize his addiction to productivity, leading to a deep commitment to rhythms of rest, prayer, and reflection.
Authenticity in Leadership: Filipe’s story highlights that God’s plans don’t require leaders to fit a mold. Instead, by leaning into humility and trust, leaders can thrive authentically.
Episode Links
Soul Care by Wellspring – The spiritual direction program that transformed Filipe’s approach to ministry.
Becoming a King by Morgan Snyder
If you’re a leader approaching a succession or transition. Or maybe you’re a few years in and beginning to see how complex transitions leadership is… go to The Art of Pastoral Succession and check out my brand new course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our 2023 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
Who is Filipe Santos?
Filipe Santos is the Lead Pastor of Echo.Church, a multi-site church in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is passionate about empowering leaders, raising up the next generation, and uniting churches together for the sake of Kingdom expansion. He has been married to his wife Mandy for 21 years and they have five children.
Sponsors
Thanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry.
Combine your church’s heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.
Listen to Recent Episodes
About the Host
Sean Morgan is a coach and speaker with a national reputation as a catalyst of fresh vision. His passion is to help ministries navigate obstacles and turn them into opportunities.
Throughout his career, Sean has pioneered initiatives impacting thousands of leaders across the country. He started out serving as Executive Pastor and CFO at New Life Church in northern California.
As host, Sean gives you access to amazing conversations, hard-won wisdom, and poignant insights from world-class leaders in intimate “living room” settings.
Your Host
Sean Morgan
Leaders in Living Rooms
Craft & Character
Subscribe now on your favorite podcast app
Take Your Leadership to New Heights
The Ascent equips you to lean into your God-given leadership potential.
Cohorts offer you the chance to go deeper with a small circle of peers and professional mentors so you can elevate your expertise and grow your confidence as a leader.
Learn more about upcoming cohorts by clicking below.