Leaders in Living Rooms

“Vulnerability with those closest to you can provide clarity and healing in ways you don’t expect.” Meet Zac Stephens, lead pastor of Faith Promise Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. In today’s episode, Zac shares his unique journey from growing up as a pastor’s kid to stepping into the role of lead pastor, highlighting the integrity of his parents and how they prepared him for ministry rather than shielding him from its challenges. Zac talks about the weight of leadership that comes with senior roles and the unexpected personal responsibility that hit him during his first 90 days as lead pastor. In addition, Zac shares practical insights into the mental strategies he’s adopted and how the support system around him played a crucial role in his transformation.Welcome to Episode 116 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSInstagram: @thezacstephensBible in One Year by Nicky Gumbelsean@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 ZAC STEPHENS?Pastor Zac is the Senior Pastor at Faith Promise. Zac has previously served the church leading students and campuses – always seeing dynamic growth and staff development in each role. In the most recent season, Pastor Zac has led Faith Promise in re-imagining its vision and values and has been instrumental in creating a culture within the church to clearly define how to execute those values in everyday life. He desires to see every person at Faith Promise discover their purpose and win their world. Zac and his wife Rachel have three children and reside in Knoxville, TN.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.  

Andy Wood shares insights two years into his journey as the Lead Pastor at Saddleback Church, highlighting the challenges and progress made during this leadership transition. We’re hitting topics like organizational change, leadership dynamics, and the complexities of stepping into a long-established ministry.Welcome to Episode 115 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSTim Stevens on the Carey Nieuwhof Leadership PodcastAndy Wood on Instagramsean@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 ANDY WOOD?Andy Wood is the Senior Pastor of Saddleback Church. Andy and his wife Stacie are answering God's call to serve at Saddleback after over a decade of church planting. The Woods started South Bay Church in 2009 with two other families. South Bay Church officially changed its name to Echo.Church in January of 2018. Echo.Church has become one of the fastest-growing churches in the most unchurched area of the United States and is now reaching over 2,300 people in regular attendance in three locations across Silicon Valley.Andy's passion is to create environments that engage the unchurched people of the Bay Area. Along with leading the church, Andy enjoys investing time in helping church planters and church leaders think more innovatively and strategically to reach people in the most unreached areas of North America. Andy and Stacie have three kids, Caedmon, Sammy, and Karis. 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, host Sean Morgan sits down with Ben Pilgreen, the lead pastor of Epic Church in San Francisco, to explore the nuances of leadership in different church seasons. From the early days of church planting to the current challenges of leading an established congregation, Ben shares his journey, insights, and the evolution of his leadership style. He also touches on the personal transitions happening in his life as his children grow older, paralleling the shifts in his leadership role at the church.Welcome to Episode 114 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKShttps://www.epicsf.com/Bring It Out podcastBring It Out, by Ben Pilgreensean@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 BEN PILGREEN?Ben Pilgreen is the founder and lead pastor of Epic Church in San Francisco, CA. Ben loves coaching leaders, whether in church or in business. Ben is the host of the Bring It Out podcast. Ben and his wife, Shauna, have four wonderful children and make their home in San Francisco. Read more at benpilgreen.com.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.  

ABOUT THE EPISODEToday, Kenton Beshore, former Senior Pastor of Mariners Church, pinpoints the challenges and essential skills required for effective ministry, especially during difficult times. He emphasizes the importance of character in "severe" moments and gives us a gauge on ministry skill sets from church planters, transitions leaders, to executive pastors! Welcome to Episode 113 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.EPISODE LINKSNo Rules Rules, by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyersean@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 KENTON BESHORE?Kenton Beshore served as Senior Pastor of Mariners Church in Orange County, CA for 35 years, during which the church experienced God's incredible blessing and growth. In 2018 Kenton transitioned to the role of Pastor Emeritus, making way for Mariners' new senior pastor, Eric Geiger, to take the reins. Today, Kenton is a part of the Mariners teaching team and takes the teaching ministry of Mariners to other Southern California churches. Kenton and his wife Laurie are passionate about investing in the next generation of pastors, igniting them to become all God has called them to be through mentoring and coaching. They spend the remainder of their time investing in their 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, Kenton and Laurie Beshore share their invaluable insights on maintaining a healthy balance between ministry and family life. Laurie highlights the "wear and tear" that ministry can have on marriages and families and offers practical tips during the differentiation stage of your kids’ lives. Discover what questions Laurie would ask a young leader after her 40 years in ministry.Welcome to Episode 112 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSsean@theascentleader.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 ARE KENTON AND LAURIE?Kenton Beshore served as Senior Pastor of Mariners Church in Orange County, CA for 35 years, during which the church experienced God's incredible blessing and growth. In 2018 Kenton transitioned to the role of Pastor Emeritus, making way for Mariners' new senior pastor, Eric Geiger, to take the reins. Today, Kenton is a part of the Mariners teaching team and takes the teaching ministry of Mariners to other Southern California churches. Kenton and his wife Laurie are passionate about investing in the next generation of pastors, igniting them to become all God has called them to be through mentoring and coaching. They spend the remainder of their time investing in their 11 grandchildren.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.  

Brian Tome, senior pastor of Crossroads Church and author, dives into the essential topic of leadership development within the church. He stresses that cultivating future leaders is not just a task, but a biblical mandate crucial for organizational health. The conversation touches on the urgency of investing in mentorship and the dangers of neglecting this vital area. Brian also discusses innovative financial strategies to support leaders and shares insights on integrating less experienced members into decision-making. Tune in for practical steps and dynamic approaches to foster leadership!

Join Jenni Catron, a seasoned leadership coach and author, as she delves into the vital elements of a thriving organizational culture. She discusses the importance of clarity, trust, and connection within teams. Jenni shares insights on balancing high performance with a healthy work environment, making the case for transparency and communication between leaders and their teams. Explore the complexities of treating church staff as both a family and a team, emphasizing the shared responsibility in cultivating a collective culture.

Pastor Daniel Im discusses the balance between pastoral care and visionary leadership, emphasizing the Great Commission over church growth. He shares insights on discipleship, evangelism, and relying on the Holy Spirit. The podcast explores challenges in church transitions, pressure for growth, effective leadership strategies, and the importance of making disciples amidst societal changes.

Sean Morgan, a leader in relational development and former Executive Pastor, shares innovative decision-making strategies tailored for level-five leaders. He emphasizes the importance of probing deeper into the decision-making process to reveal root causes, fostering a culture of growth. Morgan also discusses the complexities of organizational dynamics, highlighting how leaders can navigate change management effectively. His insights promise to equip leaders with techniques that drive momentum and transformation within their teams.

In this engaging discussion, John Ortberg, a seasoned pastor and author, reflects on the challenges of life beyond ministry. He emphasizes the critical necessity of separating personal identity from professional roles, underscoring the importance of vulnerability and genuine connections. With insights from his own journey, John advocates for building meaningful relationships and finding fulfillment beyond performance. He also touches on navigating midlife pressures, encouraging leaders to embrace imperfections and cultivate joy in their lives.