In today’s episode, Sean sits down with Ted Coniaris and Dave Ferguson of COMMUNITY to explore healthy succession plans in church leadership. Ted, a former church planter turned lead pastor apprentice, shares his journey from Greek Orthodox roots to executive leadership. Dave, the founding pastor and now CEO of Exponential, reflects on stepping back, championing Ted, and why a leadership handoff rooted in humility, clarity, and trust works. Together, they reveal the intentional 18-month apprenticeship model they followed—complete with timelines, vision handoffs, and mutual respect. If you're navigating leadership transitions in your church, this episode is full of practical wisdom and encouragement.

Welcome to Episode 138 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.

EPISODE LINKS

Exponential

COMMUNITY

Hero Maker, by Dave Ferguson

BLESS, by Dave Ferguson

@fergusondave

@tedconiaris

[email protected]

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 DAVE FERGUSON?

Dave Ferguson is the founding pastor of COMMUNITY, a multi-expression missional community that is passionate about “helping people find their way back to God.” COMMUNITY has grown from a few college friends to reaching thousands of people in Chicagoland and around the world. Dave is the CEO/President of Exponential; a catalyst for developing multipliers and church planting globally. He is an award-winning author of books that include The Big Idea, Exponential, On The Verge, Finding Your Way Back To God, Starting Over, Hero Maker and most recently B.L.E.S.S. 5 Everyday Ways to Love Your Neighbor and Change the World. Dave and his best friend Sue are parents to three adult kids they are crazy about. Feel free to email him with questions, ideas, or introductions at [email protected] Website: daveferguson.org. X: @daveferguson. Instagram: @fergusondave.

WHO IS TED CONIARIS?

Ted Coniaris is the Lead Pastor of COMMUNITY. He grew up in a second-generation Greek community in Minneapolis and first sensed a call to ministry within the Greek Orthodox Church. After transitioning to Protestant ministry, Ted served in various teaching and executive leadership roles before planting a new location through COMMUNITY. Over the past seven years, he’s taken on increasing leadership responsibilities—overseeing locations, expressions, and serving on the lead team—before stepping into his current role through an intentional 18-month apprenticeship process.

SPONSORS & PARTNERS

Thanks 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/.