“For most churches, if you take 50% of your givers off the list, you’re only losing 2% of the gifts… Rather than talking about fear and anxiety of the coming recession, what if we talk about the real issue? Being broken-hearted about the spiritual condition of our people when it comes to money and possessions.” Meet Jim Sheppard, CEO & Principal of Generis, a firm passionate about coaching churches and creating contagious generosity. Today’s episode wrestles through some very current economic trends like inflation, recession, while guiding church leaders on how the disruption of the pandemic will require churches to change their playbook and update their scorecards. This is a must listen and one you’ll want to share with your team as you head into fall. Welcome to Episode 063 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSAre you retaining first and second time donors? Get a free copy of the Generis Ebook: First-Time Givers for your team at the Ascent Leader website here. Checkout more about GenerisGet Jim’s book - Contagious GenerosityIntentional Churches - Connect with Doug Parks & Bart Rendell for member engagement beyond attendance. Are you in Transition or have one on the horizon?  We encourage you to check out more about our cohort work and how you can get signed up at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ WHO IS JIM SHEPPARD?Jim Sheppard is CEO & Principal of Generis, a consulting firm passionate about helping churches inspire and cultivate generosity through giving development, coaching, and strategy. After college, Jim passed the CPA exam and pursued a career as a financial executive. Though he grew up in the church, Jim was not a believer until he was 28. That part of his life intersected with his business life in 1991 when he thought he might be called to the pastorate. This came at a time when he was at a very high level in a major financial services company. After an intense spiritual period in his life, Jim realized that was not where God was calling him. Seven months later through a corporate buyout and a series of providentially inspired events, Jim moved from the corporate world to giving development for churches and ministry organizations. Jim is a student of generosity and is passionate about spreading it throughout the Church. For the last 27+ years, he has devoted his life to coaching pastors especially in navigating the resource limitations that restrict their ministry potential. Jim understands the financial challenges that churches face today; annual giving, debt, capital projects, and planned giving. He is a positive force in bridging these needs with the power of spiritually motivated stewardship. Cumulatively, Jim has partnered with his clients to raise over $1.7 billion for local church ministry. Jim is a frequent writer and speaker on generosity and ministry funding. He is co-author of Contagious Generosity: Creating A Culture Of Giving In Your Church. Jim and his wife, Nancy, live in the Atlanta, GA area and they have two married daughters. He is actively involved in his church where he serves as an elder and provides guidance to the Generosity Ministry Team.Instagram: @jim_sheppard and @generisteamSPONSORS & 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.  The Art of Leadership Academy - https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/

“The definition of what the Lead Pastor needs to be and do coming out of the pandemic has changed.” In this episode, Sean sits down with Dr. Warren Bird from ECFA to lean into the challenges pastors are facing coming out of the pandemic, and into recession and inflation. With a heavy focus on  Ephesians 4:11-12, Dr. Bird and Sean wrestle with how churches honestly answer the question, “Are we an equipping and empowering church?” and how as a leader, you must be examining your own calling, uniqueness, and gift mix to lead the church God’s way through your leadership. Welcome to Episode 062 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSThe Simple Church by Thom RainerExperiencing God by Henry Blackaby Large Church Trends Blog by Dr. Warren BirdResearch shows that two determining factors of a church plants success are: 1. Was the planter assessed beforehand?2. Is the planter being coached post plant launch?Check out Church Planter Cohorts with the Ascent LeaderAre you in Transition or have one on the horizon?  We encourage you to check out more about our cohort work and how you can get signed up at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ WHO IS DR. WARREN BIRD?Warren Bird, Ph.D., is ECFA’s senior vice president of research and equipping. He serves ECFA by increasing the scope, impact and depth of our knowledge base while equipping ECFA’s members to apply what ECFA is learning through research. Warren is widely recognized as among the nation’s leading students, researchers, and writers about large, fast-growing and innovative churches. An ordained minister with a big heart for the local church, Warren has led in various pastoral positions, taught at several seminaries, and served most recently for 13 years at Leadership Network, overseeing their research department where they released several dozen groundbreaking reports on topics like multisite churches, large-church compensation, church planting, and church residencies. An award-winning writer, he has also co-authored 34 books for church leaders on topics like breaking growth barriers, healthy mergers, and effective pastoral succession.Twitter: @warrenbirdSPONSORS & 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.  The Art of Leadership Academy - https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/

“The leadership lesson was that it all happened on my watch. It wasn’t all my fault, but it was my responsibility as a leader to shepherd my staff well and I wasn’t doing that.” Meet Jim Burgen from Flatirons Community Church in Colorado. In one of the most heartfelt and vulnerable episodes of our show, Jim opens up about what triggered his six month sabbatical and how God used it for Jim to come back as a better, healthier & stronger leader, just before Covid hit. Jim shares what he learned about himself, about the team at Flatirons, and how all of those lessons were imperative to setting him up well for a succession within the next five years. “I learned that I better be investing in Jesus and my wife, because they will still be there when I’m no longer at Flatirons.” Welcome to Episode 061 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSJim Burgen’s WebsiteRethink Podcast with Jim Burgen The Dark Side of Leadership by Gary McIntoshAre you in Transition or have one on the horizon?  We encourage you to check out more about our cohort work and how you can get signed up at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ WHO IS JIM BURGEN?Jim Burgen serves as the Lead Pastor for Flatirons Community Church, where he is passionate about protecting, overseeing, and leading the Church by developing authentic relationships with his Elders, staff, volunteers, and donors to reach people in a lost and broken world. Known for his dynamic teaching, Jim defines and directs the vision of Flatirons through his raw and real leadership and ability to cast vision and go first through challenges. When he's not serving his Church, you can find Jim spending time with his wife Robin, working out at the gym, or hunting in the Colorado backcountry.https://www.jimburgen.com Twitter: @jimburgenInstagram: @jimburgenSPONSORS & 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.  The Art of Leadership Academy - https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/

“In spite of its brokenness, I still have hope for the local church. And I believe it's still God’s Plan A for reconciling the world.” Meet Nancy Beach and her daughter, Samantha Beach Kiley, two influential leaders of the Church and co-authors of Next Sunday: An Honest Dialogue About the Future of the Church. In this episode, Sean Morgan digs deep with Nancy and Samantha on the future of community, the future of inclusion, and the future of the church. Nancy and Sam will challenge our listeners to think differently about the way churches are leading and whether or not we’re actually making an impact on our congregants and our surrounding communities. Get ready to be inspired about what the church can be! Welcome to Episode 060 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSFind Nancy & Samantha’s book: Next Sunday: An Honest Dialogue About the Future of the Church If you want the results no one else is getting, do what no one else is doing. The best work we do, is the work we do in the living room with our cohorts. We encourage you to check out more about our cohort work and how you can get involved at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ WHO ARE NANCY BEACH & SAMANTHA BEACH KILEY?Nancy Beach serves as a leadership coach with the Slingshot Group, The Ascent Leader, and on the teaching team at Soul City Church in downtown Chicago. Previously, Nancy served as the programming director at Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago. She is also the author of An Hour on Sunday and Gifted to Lead. Nancy and her husband Warren have two adult daughters, Samantha and Johanna.http://www.nancylbeach.com/Twitter: @NancyLBeachInstagram: @nancyleebeachSamantha Beach Kiley is a writer and performer, and the creative arts pastor at Austin New Church in Austin, Texas. Samantha's creative work has appeared in theatres, churches, and non-profit spaces. She has taught at Northwestern's National High School Institute and Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre, where she is the co-education director with her husband, Will.https://www.samanthabeach.work/Twitter: @BeachSamanthaInstagram: @samanthabeachkSPONSORS & 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.  The Art of Leadership Academy - https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/

“People kept asking me, are you excited? But I wasn’t all that excited, and I felt like something was wrong. To be honest, I was a little bit scared. There are so many calls in scripture where the call was clear, but it wasn’t something they were excited about.” Meet Dave Dummitt, Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, dynamic leader and pastor who knows a thing or two about transitions. In this episode, Dave invites us into the behind-the-scenes process of being pursued by Willow, wrestling with God’s call to Chicago, and what it meant to leave 2|42 Community Church in its season of thriving. Dave says candidly, “This wasn’t a transition, it was a turnaround.” You won’t want to miss it. Welcome to Episode 059 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSLearn more about Will Creek and Dave Dummitt at http://www.willowcreek.orgInstagram: @davedummittIf you want the results no one else is getting, do what no one else is doing. The best work we do, is the work we do in the living room with our cohorts. We encourage you to check out more about our cohort work and how you can get involved at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ WHO IS DAVE DUMMITT?Dave Dummitt is the Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church. He is an innovative leader of leaders with a passion to help leaders win and have fun doing it. Prior to his role at Willow Creek, Dave served as the Founding and Lead Pastor of 2|42 Community Church, ranked by Outreach Magazine for seven years in a row as one of the fastest-growing churches in America. Under his leadership, 2|42 grew from a 40-member launch team meeting in Dave’s living room to over 10,000 people meeting at seven different campuses each weekend. Dave is skilled at helping leaders rise above day-to-day frustrations in order to lead with compelling vision, grow and multiply healthy teams, cultivate great culture, and develop strong systems that support growing organizations. His business savvy combined with his pastoral leadership allowed him to serve on the board of the Solomon Foundation. Additionally, Dave partnered with two gifted technology developers to create GYVE, an innovative generosity development tool for churches and nonprofits. Dave loves great movies, water sports, time at the gym, and being able to take off on his Harley. He and his wife, Rachel, met during their time as students at Wheaton College. Together they have four children: Grace, Luke, Joe, and Alex.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.  The Art of Leadership Academy - https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/

“We’re half the church we were before Covid hit, attendance wise. But the foundation is stronger than it was when we built from where we are now, before.” Meet Greg Lindsey, Lead Pastor of Discovery Christian Church in Colorado Springs, CO. From lawyer, to church planter, to transitions leader, Greg has a transition story that didn’t start well, and then got worse before it ever got better. He shares his approach of leading Discovery with “duct tape and dreams” and encourages leaders to let off the gas in their striving and driving and be far more willing to grow slowly. To be willing to invest more in the people who are showing up right now. Greg doesn’t shy away from his doubts, his fears, his many challenges; and how God has continued to teach him raw dependence throughout his story. It’s a must listen. Welcome to Episode 058 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSDiscovery Christian Church in Colorado Springs, CO Sunnyside Christian Church planted Discover 19 years ago.If you’re a new lead pastor stepping into a transition, we want you in our Fall 2022 cohort. Visit https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ to learn more.WHO IS GREG LINDSEY?After having spent a summer at Officer Candidate School in the Marine Corps and 10 years in the courtroom as a trial attorney in both Kentucky and Indiana, Greg left it behind to plant and lead Lifepointe Church in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2002. In 2008 he became the Lead Pastor of Discovery Church Colorado in Colorado Springs, a 5 year old struggling church plant of about 100 people. Discovery grew to over 1400 in the next 5 years and was one of Outlook Magazine’s 100 fastest growing churches in America in both 2014 and 2015. He and his wife and hero Stacy have been married for 38 years and have 4 amazing daughters, three sons in law, and 6 awesome grandkids. He is also one of the founding leaders of COSIloveyou, an organization and movement committed to uniting and igniting the local church in Colorado Springs to show the tangible love of Jesus to all people in the city with no strings attached. Over 100 Colorado Springs churches are now a part of that movement.Instagram: @glindsey360Twitter: @greglindseySPONSORS & 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.  The Art of Leadership Academy - https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/

“People aren’t looking for solutions to problems they don’t understand. I would have spent a lot more time in my younger years selling the problem, rather than selling the solution that people weren’t in the market for.” Since 2008 Gene Appel has been leading Eastside Christian Church in Anaheim, CA. Prior to his long tenure and catalytic leadership at Eastside, he has modeled (twice) what it looks like to successfully transition into the senior leader role. In this episode, Gene shares the 6 things he set out to do in the first 100 days at Eastside, how important a united front really is in your new position, and the three stages that come before you should expect the harvest. Lastly, Gene shares with listeners the one metric Eastside is using to measure success post-pandemic and why it’s so important. Welcome to Episode 057 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSHow To Change a Church Without Killing It (Many Years Ago) by Gene AppelLeading Change by John P. KotterIf you’re a new lead pastor stepping into a transition, we want you in our Fall 2022 cohort. Visit https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ to learn more.PODCAST PARTNERSFood For The Hungry - Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.  The Art of Leadership Academy - The online courses and learning community you need to lead, run, and grow your church. Learn more at https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/

Ashley Wooldridge, the Lead Pastor of Christ's Church of the Valley in Phoenix, AZ, shares his journey from tech to ministry and insights on leadership transitions. He emphasizes the challenges of letting go during transitions and compares church leadership practices to the secular world. Ashley stresses the importance of discernment, humility, and effective communication post-pandemic. He also discusses the need for clarity in vision and connection to foster resilience as churches navigate this new landscape.

Covid was a black swan event. Something that only happens maybe every twenty years, but completely changes culture. You have the opportunity for a new direction, a new place, a new time. What will you do with it? Meet Larry Osborne from North Coast Church who challenges leaders to understand where they really are today, not where they were two years ago. “Vision is worthless when you only know where you need to go. The starting point is you need to know where you are.”Welcome to Episode 055 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. INSIGHTS FROM LARRYThe Downward Cycle of a CultureRomans 1:18-32The absolute bottom of a culture is relational destruction. This is the epitome of depravity. And this is the definition of cancel culture. Listen to episode for more...A Different RoadWe aren’t on the same road that we were on pre-Covid. In order to figure out what’s next, we need to realize where we actually are. And it’s not on the same road where we were. We need to start thinking like a church plant. Listen to episode for more...A Post-Covid Trend in Churches?Fact or fiction: The vast majority of giving is coming from live attendees. A church is reaching people live and online but the economic engine of how the church is funded is a much smaller group.Does this make the church more vulnerable? Listen to episode for more...Attendance vs. GivingIn many churches, attendance is down but giving is up. Why? Because the tippers have left, but your consistent givers are still there. Listen to episode for more...Focus & ClarityDo you know what a win looks like as a leader? Do you know how to align your team in that direction?There’s a reason the quarterback wears a red jersey. We’re all equal before God. But organizationally, some people are more important than others. As a leader, you need to wear the red jersey. You need to protect yourself, that in some ways we feel guilty about doing. Listen to episode for more...The Mindset of PotentialCovid was a black swan event. It was one of those every 20 years, something that changes the culture. It’s an opportunity. New place, new time. You have the opportunity for a new direction. How exciting is that? The windshield in your car is 80-100x larger than your review mirror. Quit looking in the rearview mirror. It’s time to be more forward focused. Listen to episode for more...EPISODE LINKSGet a copy of Larry’s latest book: Thriving in Babylon If you’re a new lead pastor stepping into a transition, we want you in our Fall 2022 cohort. Visit https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ to learn more.WHO IS LARRY OSBORNE?Larry Osborne is a Teaching Pastor and Kingdom Ambassador at North Coast Church in Vista, CA, helping to oversee its growth from 128 to over 13,000 in weekend attendance with 7 local campuses. A leadership mentor and practitioner with a rare mix of both theological and leadership expertise, he’s been a mentor and major influencer to many of the largest and fastest-growing churches in the country.https://www.northcoastchurch.comSPONSORSThanks to our sponsors: CDF Capital and Food For The Hungry.Check out Xpsummit.org - for more information on the 2022 Executive Pastors event taking place May 24th and 25th in Manchester, NH. You won’t want to miss it! Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches.  

“I don’t even  know what I’m like rested if I live marginless.” Meet Alan Briggs, Director of Culture & Coaching at Stay Forth, an organization passionate about getting leaders healthy. In this episode, Alan addresses burnout, the role sabbaticals play in avoiding it (and how to receive them well). He walks listeners through creating margin by elimination, designation, delegation, and automation.  Alan challenges, “By the time we are actually burnout, we are just realizing it. We are less able to name it, the more tired we are. Other people can typically see it before we can and sometimes we’re the last to know. If you get to a sabbatical, and need a sabbatical, you’re already too late.” Welcome to Episode 054 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSEmail hello@stayforth.com for a free copy of the Elimination Quadrant tool. Right Side up Leadership Podcast and Right Side up Journal rightsideupjournal.com“I have been involved in a lot of cohorts and been invited to many others, but there is nothing out there like the Ascent. I highly recommend for anyone ready to take their leadership to the next level.” Chris Brown, Senior Pastor, North Coast ChurchLearn more about Ascent Leader Transition Cohorts.WHO IS ALAN BRIGGS?Alan Briggs helps kingdom leaders OVERCOME OVERWHELM and NAVIGATE WITH COURAGE through leadership coaching. Alan is crazy about helping hungry leaders conquer overwhelm and navigate with courage. He serves leaders and organizations around the country through coaching, speaking, consulting, designing experiences and hosting mastermind groups. He hosts Right Side up Leadership Podcast and writes for Outreach and Field Notes.https://www.stayforth.com/hello@stayforth.com Twitter: @alanbriggsInstagram: @alanbriggsSPONSORSThe Art of Leadership Network - the online courses and learning community you need to lead, run, and grow your church. Save $100 with code: COHORTSLearn more at: https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/ Thanks to our sponsors: CDF Capital and Food For The Hungry.Hear directly from our friend, Jordan Gustafson, Director of Organizational Partnerships, at Food for the Hungry. Jordan personally walks us through how the goal at FH is to combine your church's desire to grow disciples, with their heart for the poor, by partnering with Food for the Hungry for the opportunity to do so with a global mission and outreach experience. Learn more at fh.org/churches.  CDF Capital is hosting the 2022 Executive Pastors Summit taking place May 24th and 25th in Manchester, NH. Check out Xpsummit.org for more information.