Jimmy Scroggins
Succession and Multisite
About The Episode
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.
Welcome to Episode 145 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.
Insights from Jimmy
- Lead with urgency when survival is on the line.
Jimmy’s first months revealed a financial crisis no one wanted to admit. His honest diagnosis and quick action—reducing debt, cutting unsustainable programs, and focusing on Sunday morning health—saved the church from collapse. - Smart stewardship attracts smart givers.
High-capacity donors don’t fund dysfunction; they invest in traction. As Jimmy led with transparency and strategy, new supporters rallied behind a church finally moving in the right direction. - Simplify and clarify your mission.
Family Church focused everything on “winning on Sunday morning.” That clarity united the church, freed resources, and created space for renewal. - Develop “proven growers.”
In multisite ministry, Jimmy looks for leaders who can convene people and create growth wherever they serve. It’s not just about preaching ability—it’s about leadership that multiplies. - Build leadership pipelines early and everywhere.
From fifth graders to college interns, Family Church treats people development as part of its DNA. That culture fuels their ongoing expansion and health. - Stay humble and teachable.
Even decades in, Jimmy seeks to learn from younger pastors, mentors, and even Netflix’s “K-pop Demon Hunters.” Lifelong curiosity keeps leaders fresh and connected to culture.
Episode Links
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 course in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof.
Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon? Check out our cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
Who is Jimmy Scroggins?
Jimmy Scroggins is the lead pastor of Family Church in South Florida, where he has served since July 2008. He and his wife, Kristin, have eight children and lots of grandchildren. Family Church is a family of neighborhood churches and schools across three counties in three languages. Jimmy is the author of The Very Good News Storybook Bible, The Education Reformation, Full Circle Parenting, and Turning Everyday Conversations into Gospel Conversations and hosted the Church for the Rest of Us podcast at familychurchnetwork.com. He also serves on the Board of Trustees at Palm Beach Atlantic University and Liberty University. Dr. Scroggins is a visiting professor at Southern and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminaries.
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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
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