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 LINKS

Ordering Your Private World, by Gordon MacDonald

The Divine Conspiracy, by Dallas Willard

Renovation of the Heart, by Dallas Willard

The Great Omission, by Dallas Willard

Abba’s Child, by Brennan Manning

Into the Heart of Romans, by N.T. Wright

Essentialism, by Greg McKeown

Who Not How, by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy

Church Growth Unleashed: How to Grow Your Church Without Losing Your Soul, by Danny Anderson

Emmanuel Church

sean@theascentleader.org

theascentleader.org

If 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.