Leaders in Living Rooms

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.comhttps://www.westsidefamily.church/sean@theascentleader.orgtheascentleader.orgIf 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 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.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/.

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.Welcome to Episode 133 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKShttp://www.3crosses.churchsean@theascentleader.orgtheascentleader.orgIf 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 DANNY STRANGE?Danny Strange leads 3Crosses Church in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he has been serving as Senior Pastor since 2019. His journey with 3Crosses began much earlier—he was saved there as a high school student in 1997 when classmates prayed for him daily and persistently invited him to youth group. Danny heard God's unexpected call to ministry while applying to business school at UC Berkeley, and he hasn't looked back since. After joining the 3Crosses staff in 2000, Danny served in various capacities including 10 years in Student Ministries before transitioning to Family Pastor and Executive Pastor roles. His education includes a BA in Sociology from UC Berkeley, a ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a DMin from Western Seminary, where his dissertation merged the fields of Story Formation with Expository Preaching—research inspired by a lead storyboarder from Pixar who attended his church. Danny and his wife Jessica have been married since 2003 and are raising six children together: four biological boys ranging from middle school to college age, and twin girls they adopted through the foster care system in their county.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/.

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.Welcome to Episode 132 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSJay Kim’s WebsiteGaining By Losing, by J.D. Greearsean@theascentleader.orgtheascentleader.orgIf 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 STEVE CLIFFORD?Steve has served the Bay Area for over 30 years as a pastor with the last 21 years spent at Westgate church. Through his leadership, Westgate has grown from 300 to 2500 and he has helped generate a generous mindset in this church where it has gone from giving a few thousand dollars a year away to giving away $2 million a year. He has led this community through building campaigns. Under his leadership Westgate has planted 2 churches and helped countless others by his involvement in the South Bay Pastors Network (SBPN) and his being a founding board member of TBC (https://www.tbc.city). He and his wife Dana also bring the unique perspective of doing ministry as a team and have served in that capacity for almost 20 years. Dana served as pastor at Westgate for 15+ years and was the campus pastor for our largest campus for over 5 years. Finally, Steve and Dana have led Westgate through a succession transition and placed Jay Kim as the new lead pastor of Westgate, freeing up Steve and Dana to now invest in pastors around the Bay Area.  They are grandparents to two great g’kids and Dana is currently working on a Spiritual Direction Certificate.WHO IS JAY KIM?Jay Y. Kim serves as lead pastor at WestGate Church in the Silicon Valley of California. He's the author of Analog Christian, Analog Church, and Listen Listen Speak. Some of his written work has been featured in Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Missio Alliance, and Relevant Magazine. Jay also hosts IVP's Digital Examen podcast. He resides in Silicon Valley with his family.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/.

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 Lenssean@theascentleader.orgtheascentleader.orgIf 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 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.

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.

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.Welcome to Episode 129 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSSpiritual Leadership, by J. Oswald SandersA Hero’s Farewell, by Jeffrey Sonnenfeld@johnsonbowiehttps://victoryatl.com/sean@theascentleader.orgtheascentleader.orgIf 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 JOHNSON BOWIE?Johnson Bowie is Senior Pastor of Victory Church, a thriving church with 4 campuses in the metro-Atlanta area and house churches around the globe. Victory Church is known for its diversity as it has grown to over 140 nationalities. Johnson and his wife, Summer, began attending Victory in 1998, came on staff in 2005, planted Victory’s first campus in 2010, and transitioned into the role of senior pastors in August of 2020. Johnson and Summer have two wonderful sons, Jeremiah and Isaac. Johnson is a graduate of the University of Georgia and a master’s degree from Wheaton College. He loves to jog, take walks with his wife, learn more about Jesus, and partake of the occasional Xbox binge!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. 

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.Welcome to Episode 128 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSsean@theascentleader.orgtheascentleader.orgIf 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 JASON MITCHELL?Jason is the Senior Pastor at LCBC (Lives Changed By Christ) Church. LCBC is a thriving church with 24 locations across Pennsylvania. Jason is passionate about keeping the church focused on the relentless pursuit of introducing more people to Jesus and together following him with their lives. He’s also the author of “No Easy Jesus: How the Most Difficult Choices Lead to the Greatest Life”.Jason and his wife Jenny have three kids and live in Manheim, Pennsylvania. Spend some time in the Mitchell house and you’ll find a lot of coffee, a lot of books, a full family calendar, and a whole lot of swag representing the University of Alabama Crimson Tide!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/.

Church leadership transitions are complex and require intentionality, humility, and a clear vision. For Adam and Diego Mesa, their transition was shaped by a long preparation period, a willingness to embrace change, and a commitment to mission over methods. They address leadership shifts that must be handled with care, clarity in roles and expectations, and the role of trust and humility. While challenges inevitably arise, a well-structured transition that prioritizes the church’s long-term health can lead to a lasting impact.Welcome to Episode 127 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKS@amesa@pastor_diegohttps://diegomesa.org/Beyond the Letter Podcasthttps://www.patria.church/sean@theascentleader.orgtheascentleader.orgIf 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 ADAM MESA?Adam Mesa is a pastor, entrepreneur & creative consultant. Pastor Adam studied biblical studies and theology at Life Pacific University and the Masters University. As Lead Pastor, he helped expand and establish the culture of Patria, where he currently speaks to a congregation of 12,000 members. Being born and raised at Patria, Adam has a continued passion to make disciples of the next generation. Cultivating an atmosphere that all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds can find a relationship with Jesus Christ. Additionally, Pastor Adam also hosts a podcast called Beyond the Letter that empowers Christians to live their everyday life following Jesus and a culture that’s ever changing as well as hosts Beyond I Do, a marriage and relationship podcast with his wife, Ashlee. Pastor Adam and Ashlee live in Southern California with their two sons, Matthias and Thomas.WHO IS DIEGO MESA?Pastor Diego Mesa and his wife, Cindy, founded Abundant Living Family Church (ALFC) in 1994, starting with 12 people in their home. The church grew into a 30-acre campus in Rancho Cucamonga, now known as Patria Church, led by their son Adam and his wife, Ashlee. Diego and Cindy remain active as Founding Pastors.A former triathlete, Diego was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer in 2008 and miraculously healed, inspiring his Health Initiative Revolution. He has authored multiple books, including How to Dream When You’re Told You’re Going to Die and 44 Habits to Hack Life. He also serves as a chaplain and board president at United Christian Academy. His ministry focuses on faith, health, and practical biblical teaching.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.

Jim Sheppard, CEO of Generis and expert in church generosity, discusses the puzzling trend of rising attendance but stagnant giving within churches. He emphasizes that generosity should be viewed as a vital aspect of discipleship. Jim encourages church leaders to engage congregations on giving with clear communication and education, while highlighting the importance of diverse voices in financial discussions. He also argues for maintaining high standards in volunteer leadership and fostering a culture of generosity driven by faith rather than mere financial transactions.

Today, Sean welcomes Sandy Millar, a renowned figure in the Holy Trinity Brompton movement and the Alpha course. Sandy shares his remarkable journey from law to ministry, driven by transformative experiences with the Holy Spirit. He reflects on the foundation of the Alpha course, the rise of charismatic renewal within the Anglican Church, and the significance of humility and loyalty in leadership. Sandy underscores the essence of faith-led ministry, offering insights for pastors navigating challenges, fostering community, and leaning on God's overarching plan.Welcome to Episode 125 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSAlpha Course Resources: Explore Alpha Coursesean@theascentleader.orgtheascentleader.orgIf 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 SANDY MILLAR?Sandy Millar is married to Annette and they have four children and eight grandchildren. He practiced as a barrister for ten years before being ordained and served as a Curate at Holy Trinity Brompton in London under 2 vicars before changing places with the latter one. He was Vicar there for 20 years after that and worked closely with Nicky Gumbel on Alpha before moving to three parishes in North London. During that time he was consecrated as a Bishop in Uganda. He remains an Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Dioceses of London and St Edmundsbury. He is retired and they live in Suffolk.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.