Leaders in Living Rooms

As the church enters a new season of ministry in 2026, this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms invites leaders to re-examine what they think they know about multisite ministry. Sean Morgan is joined by Warren Bird and Jim Tomberlin to explore how the multisite movement has quietly shifted from simple replication into a multiplying, movement-driven model focused on discipleship, innovation, and the Great Commission. Together, they unpack common critiques of multisite churches, highlight emerging “pacesetter” churches shaping the future, and preview an ambitious national research project designed to equip churches navigating growth, complexity, and mission at scale.Welcome to Episode 150 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.EPISODE LINKSWarrenBird.comJim TomberlinThe Multi-site Church Revolution, by Geoff Surratt, Greg Ligon, Warren Bird10 of Today's Most Innovative Churches, by Elmer L. Towns How to Break Growth Barriers, by Carl F George, Warren Bird125 Tips for MultiSite Churches, by Jim TomberlinBetter Together: Making Church Mergers Work, by Jim Tomberlin and Warren Birdsean@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 WARREN BIRD?Warren Bird, Ph.D. Dr. Warren Bird is one of America's leading researchers and writers on areas related to healthy, growing churches. He is the author or co-author of several dozen major research projects and also 35 books for church leaders including Better Together, coauthored with Jim Tomberlin on healthy mergers; Hero Maker coauthored with Dave Ferguson on leadership development; and his latest book, Becoming a Future-Ready Church, coauthored with Daniel Yang and Adelle Banks, on church trends. He has previously served as church planter and church staff member, seminary professor, senior VP of research for ECFA and a similar role before that with Leadership Network. He is now a full-time church researcher and writer, with his major research project for 2026 in partnership with The Ascent Leader.WHO IS JIM TOMBERLIN?Over four decades of diverse ministry, Jim has pastored a church in Germany, grown a megachurch in Colorado, pioneered the multisite strategy for Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago and served as the Chief of Staff at Christ Fellowship in Miami. In 2005, Jim founded MultiSite Solutions, a church consulting company that has assisted hundreds of churches in multiplying their impact through intensive multisite, church merger and succession consultation. From 2019-2024, Jim partnered with Tony Morgan and The Unstuck Group to expand their capacity to assist more churches. As the @MultiSiteGuy, Jim continues to track multisite developments and has become the nationally recognized expert on multisite church. In addition, he has become the @MergerGuru, having co-authored the leading book on church mergers and assisting numerous churches through the church merger process. Jim is the author of 125 Tips for MultiSite Churches, Better Together: Making Church Mergers Work—Expanded and Updated and Church Locality: New Rules for Church Buildings in a Multisite, Church Planting, and Giga-Church World. Jim resides in Colorado Springs, CO and holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Georgia State University in Atlanta and a Masters of Theology (Th.M) from Dallas Theological Seminary. Jim and his wife, Deryl, have three grown children and eleven grandchildren.SPONSORS & PARTNERSThanks to our sponsor, MOHI: Partnership with MOHI is built on long-term, meaningful relationships. Your church will serve a specific community, its local leaders, and its families. It’s a shared journey marked by prayer, presence, and ongoing connection rather than one-time projects. Many of our partner churches have been walking with the same community for years, even a decade or more, building stability, fostering trust and creating lasting impact.Learn more at mohiafrica.org/partner

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 ChurchThe White Flag podcastThe Last 5% podcastToo Busy Not to Pray by Bill Hybels 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 JONATHAN MOYNIHAN?Jonathan Moynihan is the Lead Pastor of Mosaic Christian Church in Elkridge, MD. He's passionate about reaching unchurched people and empowering believers to cultivate a hidden life with Christ. He and his wife Stephanie live in Maryland with their 3 kids: Evie, Isla, and Indy.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 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 MovementNot My Church, by Tom Mercer8 to 15: The World is Smaller Than You Think, by Tom Mercersean@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 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 14,000 regular attenders, from one campus to four. Tom has also been an ambassador for the oikos principle around the world, frequently speaking at conferences, churches, university classrooms, and denominational gatherings. He currently serves as the President of The Oikos Movement, a non-profit organization committed to helping church leaders become more effective through simplification. Tom received his formal education at Biola University and Talbot Seminary. He is the author of three books, 8 to 15—The World is Smaller Than You Think, Not My Church, and Diary of a World Changer. Tom and his wife Sheryl have been married for 45 years. They have three married children and 11 grandchildren.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 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, by Bible SocietyThe Inner Ring, by C.S. Lewissean@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 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, and video content weekly through Vox Church. Justin and Chrisy live with their four children in the New Haven area.

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.comdanreiland.com/blogsean@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 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/.

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 ScrogginsFamily 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 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.

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 GroupRock Harbor ChurchAlphaPaul, the Spirit, and the People of God, by Gordon D. FeeGift and Giver, by Craig S. Keenersean@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 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? Finding Our Way in an Age of Confusion and Corruption” (March, 2025), along with eight other books, including two bestsellers—“The Resilient Pastor” and “The Intentional Year” which he co-authored with his wife, Holly. He earned a Doctorate in Theology and Ministry from Durham University, England. Glenn and Holly have four children and live in Orange County, California.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 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. WrightEssentialism, by Greg McKeownWho Not How, by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin HardyChurch Growth Unleashed: How to Grow Your Church Without Losing Your Soul, by Danny AndersonEmmanuel 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 ANDERSON?Danny is the lead pastor of Emmanuel Church, a multisite church with 8 locations in Central Indiana. He is now in his 20th year as the lead pastor of Emmanuel. He is a graduate of Liberty University and the author of Church Growth Unleashed: How to Grow Your Church without Losing Your Soul as well as the host of The Church Growth Unleashed Podcast. He is also a coach to other pastors and leaders across the country who wish to seek growth in a healthy way. Danny has been married to his wife Jackie for 26 years and they have three young adult children. When he's not prepping a sermon or writing you can usually find him shooting baskets or recovering in the sauna.

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 reflects on preparing the church for life beyond his leadership, while Josh shares how their long-term relationship and shared heartbeat for reaching people made the transition possible. Together, they explore humility, outside counsel, and the intentional communication strategies that helped their church navigate succession with unity and hope for the future.Welcome to Episode 142 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSChestnut Ridge ChurchWhen God Walked Alone, by Tim Haringsean@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 JOSH RHODES?Josh is the Senior Pastor at Chestnut Ridge Church in Morgantown, West Virginia. He grew up as a pastor’s kid in the northern panhandle town of Weirton and has always loved his home state — especially the pepperoni rolls, state parks, and WVU Mountaineer sports. He married his high school sweetheart, Hillary, and together they have four children — Sephora, Levi, Pierce, and Micah — and have been a licensed foster family since 2021. Since 2007, Josh has served in full-time ministry at Chestnut Ridge Church and LCBC Church in Pennsylvania, leading in student, college, and adult ministries. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies and Pastoral Ministry from Lancaster Bible College in 2005 and a Master of Theology from Biblical Theological Seminary in 2014. He also completed the Ridge ordination program and was affirmed as an ordained elder and pastor in September 2020. After a multi-year succession plan, Founding Pastor Tim Haring passed the senior pastor baton to Josh on September 29, 2024. Today, Pastor Tim and Josh enjoy serving alongside one another in this new season at The Ridge.WHO IS TIM HARINGTim Haring is the Founding Pastor of Chestnut Ridge Church and served as its Senior Pastor for 40 years before passing on his responsibilities to Pastor Josh Rhodes. During the 40 years of ministry, Chestnut Ridge Church eventually became the largest church in the state of West Virginia and has helped plant four additional churches in the state. Tim has a Pastoral Studies Degree, Greek Emphasis, from Moody Bible Institute and a Business Degree from the West Virginia University. He has been married for 37 years and has five children and three grandchildren. Tim is currently serving in a part time capacity at the church. He is also coaching other pastors, writing his second book and speaking at conferences.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/.

Joel Thomas, lead pastor at Buckhead Church and director at North Point Ministries, shares his transformative journey in leadership. He emphasizes the importance of investing in young leaders and the nuances between turnaround and realignment strategies. Joel opens up about his experiences at Mission Community Church, tackling challenges that tested his leadership skills. He also discusses preparing for succession in large organizations, highlighting how self-awareness and effective team building play crucial roles in a leader's success.