In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean Morgan sits down with Jonathan Moynihan, Lead Pastor of Mosaic Christian Church in Baltimore, to explore a leadership journey shaped more by formation than ambition. Jonathan shares how what he once assumed was a call to church planting unexpectedly became a rapid succession into the lead pastor role—after years of hidden preparation, inner work, and confronting unhealthy ambition. Together, Sean and Jonathan unpack themes of calling versus opportunity, the dangers of tying worth to performance, and how silence, solitude, and failure became essential tools God used to form Jonathan into a healthier, more grounded leader. This honest conversation offers a rare look at the interior life of leadership, reminding pastors that God’s primary work is often deeper than visible success.Welcome to Episode 149 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSJonathan Moynihan on Instagram: @jonathan.moynihanMosaic Christian Church (https://mosaicchristian.org/)The White Flag podcastThe Last 5% podcastToo Busy Not to Pray by Bill Hybels sean@theascentleader.org (mailto:sean@theascentleader.org)theascentleader.org (http://theascentleader.org)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 (https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/the-art-of-pastoral-succession/?sl=theascentleader) 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/ (https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/) WHO IS JONATHAN MOYNIHAN?Jonathan Moynihan is the Lead Pastor of Mosaic Christian Church in Elkridge,

In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean Morgan sits down with longtime pastor and Oikos Movement founder Tom Mercer to unpack nearly four decades of ministry leadership at High Desert Church and the relational principles that shaped a church of 8,000 in rural Southern California. Tom shares candid stories about longevity, accountability, team chemistry, leadership development, and how the Oikos principle, reaching the world through the natural relationships God has already placed around us, became the backbone of High Desert Church’s growth. From navigating criticism and facility challenges to building a healthy staff culture grounded in prayer and friendship, Tom offers practical, grounded wisdom for leaders pursuing disciple-making and sustainable ministry.Welcome to Episode 148 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSOikos Movement (https://www.oikosmovement.com/)Not My Church, by Tom Mercer8 to 15: The World is Smaller Than You Think, by Tom Mercersean@theascentleader.org (mailto:sean@theascentleader.org)theascentleader.org (http://theascentleader.org)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 (https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/the-art-of-pastoral-succession/?sl=theascentleader) 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/ (https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/) WHO IS TOM MERCER?Tom has been in pastoral ministry for almost 50 years. For 38 of those years, he served as the Senior Pastor and primary teacher at the High Desert Church in Southern California. During that time, the church grew from 125 to over 14,

In this episode, Sean sits down with Justin Kendrick, planter and pastor of Vox Church in New England, to explore the heart behind multi-site ministry, leadership development, and the surprising move of God happening across one of the least-churched regions in the U.S. Justin shares his journey from musician to church planter, the early chaos of scaling locations without systems, and the intentional shift toward forming leaders through habits of the heart rather than skills alone. He unpacks Vox’s leader-development process, the power of life-on-life discipleship, and the humbling lessons learned along the way. Their conversation offers a rare and honest look at building a movement while staying grounded in accountability, character, and focus.Welcome to Episode 147 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSThe Quiet Revival (https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/research/quiet-revival), by Bible SocietyThe Inner Ring (https://www.lewissociety.org/innerring/), by C.S. Lewissean@theascentleader.org (mailto:sean@theascentleader.org)theascentleader.org (http://theascentleader.org)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 (https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/the-art-of-pastoral-succession/?sl=theascentleader) 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/ (https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/)WHO IS JUSTIN KENDRICK?Justin Kendrick is the Lead Pastor of Vox Church, which he and his wife, Chrisy, founded in 2011 with a group of friends on the doorstep of Yale University. Since then, the church has grown to multiple locations across New England with the dream of seeing the least-churched region of the U.S. become the most spiritually vibrant place on earth. Justin was ordained for ministry in 2009 and holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s in theology. He’s the author of the USA Today bestseller How to Quiet a Hurricane (2024), as well as Bury Your Ordinary (2021) and The Sacred Us (2022). He is the host of Justin Kendrick: The Devoted Life Podcast and continues to create sermon material, small group studies,

In this episode, Sean sits down with veteran executive pastor Dan Reiland, who served alongside John Maxwell and Kevin Myers for over four decades. Dan shares stories from his journey, from "breaking" John Maxwell’s internship to helping lead one of the largest churches in the U.S., and offers wisdom for both lead and executive pastors navigating partnership, trust, and longevity in ministry. Sean and Dan unpack the key traits of great executive pastors, the difference between equipping and developing, and the vital role prayer plays in church leadership.Welcome to Episode 146 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSdanreiland.com (http://danreiland.com)danreiland.com/blog (http://danreiland.com/blog)sean@theascentleader.org (mailto:sean@theascentleader.org)theascentleader.org (http://theascentleader.org)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 (https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/the-art-of-pastoral-succession/?sl=theascentleader) 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/ (https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/) WHO IS DAN REILAND?Dan Reiland is a leadership coach and church strategist who brings decades of local church experience to his current ministry focus of helping leaders excel. Dan partnered with Kevin Myers as XP at 12Stone Church for 24 years and previously partnered with John Maxwell as XP at Skyline Church for 20 years. Dan has written several books and regularly blogs at DanReiland.com.SPONSORS & PARTNERSThanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/ (http://onehope.net/learnmore/).

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. EPISODE LINKSJimmy Scroggins (https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jimmy-Scroggins/author/B0F495R5DD?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1760018153&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=f9370449-f685-4a98-8635-8aa5cf60d095)Family Church (https://gofamilychurch.org/family-home/)sean@theascentleader.org (mailto:sean@theascentleader.org)theascentleader.org (http://theascentleader.org)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 (https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/the-art-of-pastoral-succession/?sl=theascentleader) 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/ (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 (http://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.

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.Welcome to Episode 144 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSWhat’s a Christian, Anyway?, by Glenn PackiamBarna Group (https://www.barna.com/)Rock Harbor Church (https://www.rockharbor.org/)Alpha (https://alphausa.org/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=11764895400&gbraid=0AAAAACw69IQrsEbSYg-NeRqfudubcQf6w&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjL3HBhCgARIsAPUg7a7vCcfbkq8BgPn5ZFGo8cg9AzuqhMaX3YOIATNO4yG1zfROfCm4QaQaAiNAEALw_wcB)Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God, by Gordon D. FeeGift and Giver, by Craig S. Keenersean@theascentleader.org (mailto:sean@theascentleader.org)theascentleader.org (http://theascentleader.org)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 (https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/the-art-of-pastoral-succession/?sl=theascentleader) 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/ (https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/) WHO IS GLENN PACKIAM?Glenn Packiam is the Lead Pastor of Rockharbor Church in Costa Mesa, California, and a Senior Fellow at Barna Group. He is the author of, “What’s a Christian, Anyway?

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.Welcome to Episode 143 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSOrdering Your Private World, by Gordon MacDonaldThe Divine Conspiracy, by Dallas WillardRenovation of the Heart, by Dallas WillardThe Great Omission, by Dallas WillardAbba’s Child, by Brennan ManningInto the Heart of Romans, by N.T. Wright

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 reflec...

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.Welcome to Episode 141 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSsean@theascentleader.org (mailto:sean@theascentleader.org)theascentleader.org (http://theascentleader.org)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 (https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/the-art-of-pastoral-succession/?sl=theascentleader) 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/ (https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/) WHO IS JOEL THOMAS?Joel Thomas is the director of NPM, providing point leadership for the NPM Directional Team. Joel is also lead pastor of Buckhead Church, where he provides visionary and directional leadership for the staff and congregation. Joel began his ministry career as the first intern of North Point Ministries in 1998, then served in college, singles, and married adult ministries before becoming the lead pastor of North Point Community Church in 2011. In 2015, Joel and his family moved to Arizona where Joel served as senior pastor of Mission Community Church for almost seven years before returning to the Atlanta area to rejoin the North Point Ministries team. Joel and his wife, Jenn, aspire to finish life together having experienced an abundance of faith, love, and fun along the way with their four amazing children: Talan, Gentry, Kason, and Nixon.SPONSORS & PARTNERSThanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/ (http://onehope.net/learnmore/).

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.Welcome to Episode 140 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSchipdodd.comLiving with Heart podcastThe Voice of the Heart and Needs of the Heart, by Chip Doddsean@theascentleader.org (mailto:sean@theascentleader.org)theascentleader.org (http://theascentleader.org)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 (https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/the-art-of-pastoral-succession/?sl=theascentleader) 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/ (https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/) WHO IS CHIP DODD?Dr. Chip Dodd has spent his entire career guiding thousands of professionals and their families through the struggles of their lives and into the lives they were created to have. In 1996, Dr. Dodd founded a treatment center in Nashville, Tennessee called The Center for Professional Excellence (CPE), and spent the next 22 years serving as its Executive Director. CPE was a powerfully effective treatment center that helped thousands get recovery of their hearts. Since selling CPE in 2017, Dr. Dodd has worked in private practice doing consulting, mentoring, speaking, counseling, as well as writing. He began Chip Dodd Resources in 2019. In 1991, Dr. Dodd developed The Spiritual Root System (SRS). It is a simple and effective way of seeing how we are made,

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.Welcome to Episode 139 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSSTARS model (https://hbr.org/2009/01/picking-the-right-transition-strategy), by Michael D. Watkinssean@theascentleader.org (mailto:sean@theascentleader.org)theascentleader.org (http://theascentleader.org)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 (https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/the-art-of-pastoral-succession/?sl=theascentleader) 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/ (https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/) WHO IS AARON BROCKETT?Aaron Brockett is the lead pastor of Traders Point Christian Church in Indianapolis. Since he joined the church in 2007, it has grown from 1,500 people in one location to more than 10,000 people in four locations, earning recognition as one of the fastest growing churches in the U.S.from Outreach Magazine. He is passionate about removing unnecessary barriers that keep people from Jesus, just as the men in Mark 2 “wrecked the roof” in order to get the paralytic to Jesus. “Jesus says, ‘I  will draw all men and women to myself.’ Therefore, He is the only one who can change anyone. “Our responsibility as a church is to get those people to Him and let Him do what only He can,” Aaron has said. Aaron has contributed to several books and articles and serves as a board member of the Orchard Group, a worldwide church-planting organization. He and his wife, Lindsay, have dedicated their lives to seeing people all over the world come to know, trust, and follow Jesus. They have four great kids and a silver lab named Winston.

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.Welcome to Episode 138 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSExponential (https://exponential.org)COMMUNITY (https://communitychristian.org)Hero Maker (https://www.heromakerbook.org/), by Dave FergusonBLESS (https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/640A6DDE-35AC-4B42-BC00-468A68200490?channel=AuthorWebsite), by Dave Ferguson@fergusondave (https://www.instagram.com/fergusondave/)@tedconiaris (https://www.instagram.com/tedconiaris/)sean@theascentleader.org (mailto:sean@theascentleader.org)theascentleader.org (http://theascentleader.org)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 (https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/the-art-of-pastoral-succession/?sl=theascentleader) 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/ (https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/) WHO IS DAVE FERGUSON?Dave Ferguson is the founding pastor of COMMUNITY, a multi-expression missional community that is passionate about “helping people find their way back to God.” COMMUNITY has grown from a few college friends to reaching thousands of people in Chicagoland and around the world. Dave is the CEO/President of Exponential; a catalyst for developing multipliers and church planting globally. He is an award-winning author of books that include The Big Idea, Exponential, On The Verge, Finding Your Way Back To God, Starting Over, Hero Maker and most recently B.L.E.S.S. 5 Everyday Ways to Love Your Neighbor and Change the World. Dave and his best friend Sue are parents to three adult kids they are crazy about. Feel free to email him with questions, ideas,

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.Welcome to Episode 137 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.EPISODE LINKSInstagram: @eugenechohttps://www.bread.org/ (https://www.bread.org/)Email: eugenecho@bread.org (mailto:eugenecho@bread.org)sean@theascentleader.org (mailto:sean@theascentleader.org)theascentleader.org (http://theascentleader.org)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 (https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/the-art-of-pastoral-succession/?sl=theascentleader) 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/ (https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/) WHO IS EUGENE CHO?Rev. Eugene Cho is President/CEO of Bread for the World (https://bread.org/), a collective Christian voice including individuals, churches, non-profits, and other partners, who work together to urge our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and around the world by changing the policies and programs that allow hunger to persist. Eugene’s passions involve leadership, justice, the intersection of faith and public life, and the pursuit of God’s Kingdom here on this earth. He travels throughout the world to encourage churches, non-profits, pastors, leaders, missionaries, and justice workers. Before coming to Bread for the World in 2020, Eugene founded and for 18 years served as senior pastor of Quest Church, an urban, multi-cultural and multi-generational church in Seattle, Washington. Eugene is also the founder and visionary of One Day’s Wages (ODW) — a grassroots movement of people, stories, and actions to alleviate extreme global poverty. The vision of ODW is to create a collaborative movement that promotes awareness, invites simple giving (one day’s wages), and supports sustainable relief through partnerships, especially with small organizations in developing regions.

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.Welcome to Episode 136 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSsean@theascentleader.org (mailto:sean@theascentleader.org)theascentleader.org (http://theascentleader.org)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 (https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/the-art-of-pastoral-succession/?sl=theascentleader) 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/ (https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/) WHO IS SEAN MORGAN?Sean started out in ministry serving in a San Francisco area church plant as their Executive Pastor. He went on to help coach and consult with church leaders across the country and eventually founded The Ascent Leader, a first-of-its-kind organization focusing on relational leadership development for local church pastors. He also hosts the Leaders In Living Rooms podcast. Sean recently retired from a 26-year career as a KC-10 pilot in the US Air Force Reserve. His favorite titles are “Stacy’s husband” and “Kaylee and Ayden’s dad.”SPONSORS & PARTNERSThanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/ (http://onehope.net/learnmore/).

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.Welcome to Episode 135 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSsean@theascentleader.org (mailto:sean@theascentleader.org)theascentleader.org (http://theascentleader.org)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 (https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/the-art-of-pastoral-succession/?sl=theascentleader) 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/ (https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/) WHO IS SEAN MORGAN?Sean started out in ministry serving in a San Francisco area church plant as their Executive Pastor. He went on to help coach and consult with church leaders across the country and eventually founded The Ascent Leader, a first-of-its-kind organization focusing on relational leadership development for local church pastors. He also hosts the Leaders In Living Rooms podcast. Sean recently retired from a 26-year career as a KC-10 pilot in the US Air Force Reserve. His favorite titles are “Stacy’s husband” and “Kaylee and Ayden’s dad.”

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.Welcome to Episode 134 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSrandyfrazee.com (https://www.randyfrazee.com/)https://www.westsidefamily.church/ (https://www.westsidefamily.church/)sean@theascentleader.org (mailto:sean@theascentleader.org)theascentleader.org (http://theascentleader.org)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 (https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/the-art-of-pastoral-succession/?sl=theascentleader) 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/ (https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/) WHO IS RANDY FRAZEE?Randy Frazee is a pastor, author, coach, and consultant. He is the architect of The Story and Believe Bible engagement campaigns and has published numerous books including, The Heart of the Story, What Happens After You Die, His Mighty Strength, and The Joy Challenge. Randy has been married to Rozanne, his high school sweetheart for over forty years. Together they have four grown children and five grandchildren and counting. To learn more about Randy’s work, check out randyfrazee.com (https://www.randyfrazee.com/).SPONSORS & PARTNERSThanks to our sponsor: OneHope: OneHope’s mission is to reach every child and youth in the world with God’s Word through the global church. In 35 years of ministry OneHope has reached more than 2 billion young people with the Gospel. Learn how you and your church can get involved by visiting onehope.net/learnmore/ (http://onehope.net/learnmore/).

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 roo...

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 ...

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.Welcome to Episode 131 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSThe Preacher’s Lens (https://preacherslens.com/)sean@theascentleader.org (mailto:sean@theascentleader.org)theascentleader.org (http://theascentleader.org)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 (https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/the-art-of-pastoral-succession/?sl=theascentleader) 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 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ (https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/) WHO IS BERT CRABBE?Bert Crabbe is the founding and lead pastor of True North Community Church in Long Island, New York. With over two decades of preaching experience, he’s passionate about helping communicators grow through honest feedback and practical tools. Bert is the creator of Preacher’s Lens, a coaching platform that equips pastors and ministry leaders to become more effective and authentic in the pulpit.SPONSORS & PARTNERSThanks 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 (https://www.fh.org/churches/).

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.Welcome to Episode 130 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSWarren Bird (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Bird)Becoming a Future-Ready Church (https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Future-Ready-Church-Generation-Exponential/dp/031016110X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=S1RJMHF7Q9GW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2x1fV_ZfSc0Sew4rnCfZZAW2uog76mkeehNFYV4huhDGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.2WeA_nzCeNrj5vuTokc1tY9VhyXMqO1BZZbej0IYtyw&dib_tag=se&keywords=Becoming+a+Future-Ready+Church&qid=1743528173&sprefix=becoming+a+future-ready+church%2Caps%2C221&sr=8-1), by Daniel Yang, Adelle M. Banks, and Warren Birdsean@theascentleader.org (mailto:sean@theascentleader.org)theascentleader.org (http://theascentleader.org)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 (https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/the-art-of-pastoral-succession/?sl=theascentleader) 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 cohorts and get connected with us at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ (https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/) WHO IS WARREN BIRD?Warren Bird, Ph.D., is widely quoted in the media as America's leading scholar on large churches. His current research project is “The Future of the Large Church.” Recent research includes “New Faces of Church Planting” and “Do Online Services Lead to In-Person Disciples?” Warren is author/coauthor of 35 for church leaders including Becoming a Future-Ready Church (trends), Hero Maker (leadership development), Next (healthy succession), Better Together (mergers) and How to Break Church Growth Barriers. He is widely quoted in the press as the leading researcher and writer on large-church health and growth. He has served as church planter, staff pastor, and seminary professor. He and his college-sweetheart wife live in metro New York City.