LILR 130 | Warren Bird on Pastor Health and How The Mighty Fall

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Apr 8, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Warren Bird, a leading scholar on large churches and author of 35 books, shares insights into resilient ministry leadership. He emphasizes the importance of intentional peer groups to combat isolation and burnout. Warren explores how collaborative leadership models enhance well-being and accountability among pastors. He delves into the benefits of small group dynamics and highlights the power of virtual connections in building relationships. This conversation is packed with practical wisdom for thriving in ministry.

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ANECDOTE

72 Interruptions

Warren Bird's first church planting experience involved constant interruptions, with 72 phone calls during dinner weekly.
His wife complained to the district superintendent, highlighting the unsustainable nature of this ministry approach.

INSIGHT

Peer Group Impact

Research comparing pastors in peer groups versus those without reveals significant differences.
Churches with pastors in peer groups show higher lay participation, community service, and youth group activity.

ADVICE

Reproduce Leadership

Reproduce yourself through others, delegating and developing leaders around you.
This principle, exemplified in 2 Timothy 2:2, is key to ministry health and longevity.

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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 LINKS

Warren Bird

Becoming a Future-Ready Church, by Daniel Yang, Adelle M. Banks, and Warren Bird

sean@theascentleader.org

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 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/

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.

SPONSORS & PARTNERS

Thanks 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/.