The Unfair Advantage

Hosted by Art of Leadership Network

Religion Spirituality Christianity

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Latest episode

Jul 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Church planting is an extreme sport combining the best of entrepreneurship and church leadership. It calls for courage, tenacity, passion, and wisdom. When done right it’s one of the most rewarding endeavors on the planet. When done wrong it causes tremendous heartache and unnecessary pain. Church planters, we want to help you win early and finish strong. This podcast will help you avoid church planting land mines, grow as a leader, and discover practical tools to help you win in your local ministry context!

Listen to episodes

53 recent

July 21, 202642 min

EP 053 | Why Working Harder Isn’t Fixing the Friction in Your Church Plant with Wayne Cordeiro

What do you do when the system that got you here is the very thing preventing you from getting there? In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, host David Hibiske sits down with veteran church planter, author, and college president Pastor Wayne Cordeiro for an incredibly candid look at the lifecycle of a growing church. Wayne pulls from decades of experience planting New Hope Oahu and leading global ministries to unpack the hidden traps of early-stage ministry. Together, they explore the critical shift from organic momentum to structured scalability, how to correctly assess the specific "pain levels" in your organization, and why a leader's refusal to transition from doing ministry to developing people will eventually bottleneck everything. If you are a church planter trying to figure out if your current organizational friction is a spiritual battle or just a bad structure, this episode delivers a blueprint for building a sustainable foundation. Welcome to Episode 053 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

June 23, 202637 min

EP 052 | Julie Bullock on Practical Ways to Build a Culture of Generosity in Your Church

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, David Hibiske sits down with Generis consultant Julie Bullock to discuss how church planters can build a healthy culture of generosity from day one. Drawing from nearly two decades of experience serving churches, Julie shares practical wisdom on helping people view giving as a priority, a privilege, and a purpose-driven act of worship. Together, they unpack common misconceptions about money in the church, offer guidance on teaching biblical stewardship, discuss effective offering moments, and explore how pastors can confidently lead generosity conversations without apology or fear. Whether you're preparing to launch a church or leading a growing congregation, this episode provides actionable insights for cultivating a thriving culture of generosity. Welcome to Episode 052 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

May 26, 202650 min

EP 051 | Jay Kranda on Building the Right Tech Stack for Your Church Plant

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, David Hibiske sits down with Jay Kranda to unpack how church planters can think strategically about technology, digital ministry, and building an effective church tech stack. Drawing from over a decade leading online ministry and innovation at Saddleback Church, Jay shares practical insight on choosing the right church management systems, giving platforms, digital tools, and AI workflows without getting distracted by every new trend. The conversation explores how technology can amplify ministry, why church leaders should think long-term when selecting platforms, and how to avoid costly mistakes as churches grow. Whether you’re planting a church or leading an established congregation, this episode offers grounded, practical wisdom for using technology to support discipleship, growth, and organizational health. Welcome to Episode 051 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

April 28, 202652 min

EP 050 | Dave Ferguson on Staying Healthy to Lead a Multiplying Movement

In this episode, David Hibiske sits down with Dave Ferguson to explore the heart behind multiplication and movement leadership. Dave shares insights from his journey planting Community Christian Church, transitioning leadership to an apprentice, and helping catalyze church planting movements through Exponential. Drawing from themes in his book Multiply, the conversation challenges leaders to invest deeply in others, prioritize multiplication, and remain focused on reaching communities with the message of Jesus. This episode offers practical encouragement for church planters seeking to go further, faster in their calling. Welcome to Episode 50 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

March 31, 202649 min

EP 049 | Brad Lomenick on Trends Shaping Your Church, Staff, and Teams

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, David Hibiske sits down with Brad Lomenick for a wide-ranging conversation on calling, assignment, generational leadership trends, and the competitive edge church planters already possess. Brad unpacks the critical difference between calling (the directional current of your life) and assignment (the season you’re stewarding right now), challenges leaders to build multi-generational teams, and offers practical insight on navigating today’s “short-term free agent” workforce mindset. Welcome to Episode 49 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

March 3, 202644 min

EP 048 | John Mark Redwine on Reminders and Rhythms to Persevere & Not Quit

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, John Mark Redwine shares an honest, decade-long look at the realities of church planting—marked by calling, perseverance, heartbreak, and healing. From planting in the spiritually resistant city of Asheville to navigating postpartum depression, family illness, leadership conflict, COVID, and even a devastating hurricane, John Mark reflects on what it takes to stay faithful when quitting feels easier. Through personal stories, spiritual practices, and hard-earned wisdom, he offers hope-filled encouragement for leaders who feel weary, reminding them that calling, healing, and sustainable rhythms are essential for longevity in ministry. Welcome to Episode 048 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

February 3, 202652 min

EP 047 | Chris Goulard on Navigating Personal Finances as a Pastor

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, David Hibiske sits down with Chris Goulard to tackle a topic many pastors and church planters quietly struggle with: personal finances. Drawing from decades of experience in both Wall Street and church ministry, Chris shares why financial stewardship is not just a practical necessity but a pastoral responsibility. Together, they explore the unique financial realities pastors face, from housing allowance and Social Security decisions to retirement planning and budgeting, while emphasizing the importance of theological clarity, discipline, and long-term vision. This conversation offers pastors practical wisdom to care for their families well today while preparing responsibly for the future. Welcome to Episode 047 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

January 6, 202639 min

EP 046 | Aaron Brockett on Burnout, Growth, and Mission

In this episode, David Hibiske sits down with Aaron Brockett, Lead Pastor of Traders Point Christian Church. Aaron shares his leadership journey from parachute-drop church planting to long-term pastoral ministry through succession. Aaron reflects honestly on the challenges of early church planting, burnout, and the refining work God does through pain, humility, and endurance. He discusses discovering his leadership and preaching voice over time, the importance of self-awareness and team leadership, and how longevity in one place shapes both credibility and calling. The conversation also highlights Traders Point’s deep partnership with Missions of Hope International and offers encouragement to church planters navigating resistance, revival, and faithfulness in today’s ministry landscape. Welcome to Episode 046 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

December 9, 202539 min

EP 045 | Frank Bealer on Developing a Culture of Generosity in Your Church

In this episode, David Hibiske sits down with Frank Bealer, CEO of Generis and former Elevation Church leader, to talk about the discipleship-driven approach to generosity every church planter needs. Frank unpacks why pastors must stop “being weird about money,” how to build a healthy, biblical culture of giving from day one, and the practical rhythms that shape generosity year-round. From teaching frameworks to meeting with top givers, Frank offers clear, actionable guidance to help church planters lead confidently in one of the most essential (and often uncomfortable) areas of ministry. Welcome to Episode 045 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

November 11, 202551 min

EP 044 | Jeff Bennett on Finding & Developing Leaders

Today, David Hibiske sits down with Jeff Bennett, Executive Director of Multiply Project and Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohort coach, to unpack lessons learned from years of church planting and leader development. Jeff shares his personal journey from planting LifeBridge Church to transitioning into coaching and equipping planters nationwide. He offers wisdom on focusing less on “the what” and more on “the who,” developing leaders from within, and shifting from readiness to potential when identifying future church planters. This is a rich conversation on self-awareness, humility, and creating multiplying churches through intentional leader development. Welcome to Episode 044 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.

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