Leaders in Living Rooms

“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.

ABOUT THE EPISODEJonathan and Lindsey Hansen moved their two young children and a seventy pound labradoodle across the country. They were packed up and loaded down with passion, excitement, and vision for the church in California God was calling them to lead. What they walked into was a failed transition from the Founding Pastor/Planter, a church split, and a congregation that was in pain from all the change. What they thought would be a new beginning was actually a triage situation of people, of a church, who desperately needed care. In this episode, they reflect back on the “honeymoon phase” of their transition, what they would do differently in hindsight, and what encouragement they would give to others (and themselves) stepping into transition. Welcome to Episode 053 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. INSIGHTS FROM JONATHAN & LINDSEYThe “Honeymoon Phase” of Church Leadership Transition There was not a realistic nor strategic plan to enter into the leadership of the church and community; it was a firehose and not what we expected We felt like we had to say yes to everything, or else everything will fall apartWe didn’t establish rhythms of rest or rejuvenation There is a weight that no one prepared us for - an emotional weight, a spiritual weight. We didn’t want to disappoint anyone, but our family was ultimately paying the price.We weren’t sure we were allowed to ask for what we needed, if we had permission and the relational equity to be authentic and honest with our board about where we were emotionally.The transition became painful, lonely, and heavy. Finally we realized we had to do it for the sake of the church. We decided to entrust ourselves to our church leadership. How We’ve Learned to Create MarginIdentifying what people expect you to do vs. what you can actually do. Free yourself from the expectations of others. Know what your limits are. Release yourself from these expectations. Learn the difference between a good thing you can say yes to and the best thing you can say yes to. Discovering what’s restful - replenishment cycles. What are the things that replenish you? Be willing to name what drains you. What do you need to say no to? Guard the blocks of time in my week that are set aside for the main things I’m responsible for. What do you get “hi-jacked” by? How can you better protect these blocks of time? There were warning signs of life not being in balance… not taking care of yourself, not finding time for exercise, not making meals at home, being present physically but not emotionally.Leaders Need Care TooThis conversation needs to be more normalized. People are more willing to give you care on the front end if you come with a posture of humility. That goes better than asking on the back end where there’s a cost of not asking for help. Having discernment on who we went to, to ask for help. Advice for Other Leaders Stepping Into TransitionThick skin, soft heart. Oftentimes things get projected on you as a leader that aren’t yours to carry. Let there be a close circle of people who remind you of that truth. Slow down. Transition leadership is slow. Come in listening, understanding the community, the people, what the needs are instead of plowing forward with my own vision. EPISODE LINKSHills Church: https://hills.church/ Facebook & Instagram: jchansen84 and mizhansen85Carey Nieuwhof’s Book: How to Get Time, Energy, and Priorities Working in Your FavorIf you are stepping into transition, you need to join a cohort. Get embraced in a peer community ahead of your transition. Join The Ascent Leader in the next Transitions Leaders cohort launching Fall 2022. WHO ARE JONATHAN & LINDSEY HANSEN?Jonathan and Lindsey Hansen are currently leading Hills Church outside of Sacramento, CA. They have served together in full time ministry for over 12 years. Jonathan completed his M.Div. at Asbury Seminary after graduating from the University of Georgia, and Lindsey is a graduate of Embry Riddle University in Florida. Prior to their transition to California Jonathan and Lindsey were on staff with Bethel Mission Outreach in Haiti helping plant churches and start schools for children. Jonathan led the student ministries at Tates Creek Presbyterian Church (PCA) for 4 years during his time in seminary. And before taking the lead pastor position at Hills Church, Jonathan served on the pastoral team at Passion City Church in Atlanta for 4 years.SPONSORSThe 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.

ABOUT THE EPISODEJay Kim’s transition story is so uniquely woven that it puts God’s perfect architecture of our lives on full display. With a story that stems from a longing to lead and a deep calling to shape culture, Jay invites us into the intimate details of his transition from WestGate Church to Vintage Church, and eventually back to WestGate. He talks us through the journey that he’s still on, the right pace of change during his transition, and the opportunities and challenges he faced along the way. “I had to untangle myself enough from my own ego, ambition, and insecurity, to be able to engage the transition process in a healthy way.” His number one  piece of advice to leaders in transition? Put yourself in rooms with people who love you, admire you, truly know you, and who will name and shame the stuff that will eat you alive if you allow it. Oh and get comfortable with that feeling. Welcome to Episode 052  of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan. EPISODE LINKSJohn Kotter’s Book - Leading Change (8 steps for change management)William Vanderbloomen and Warren Bird’s Book on Transition - Next: Pastor Succession that Works Are you in a season of transition? Is one on the horizon? Learn more about Ascent Leader Transition Cohorts.WHO IS JAY KIM?Jay Kim serves as the Lead Pastor at WestGate Church in the Silicon Valley of CA and as a teacher-in-residence- at Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz. Jay is a California native and has served in a variety of churches and church roles (student ministry, college ministry, church planting, teaching pastor) since 2004. He is the author of a book called Analog Church and a graduate of Fuller Seminary. Jay and his wife Jenny live in  Silicon Valley with their two young children.Connect with Jay: http://jaykimthinks.com/  Twitter: @jaykimthinksInstagram: @jaykimthinksFacebook: @jaykimthinks jay@jaykimthinks.com SPONSORSThe 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.