The Unfair Advantage

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.EPISODE LINKSsean@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/ Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ WHO IS BRAD LOMENICK?In a nutshell, I’m an Oklahoma boy now residing in the South. I am a passionate follower of Christ, and had the privilege of leading and directing a movement of young leaders called Catalyst for over a decade. My purpose is to connect, gather and influence the influencers. I’ve been equipping, inspiring, and releasing the next generation of young leaders for over 25 years through a number of different seasons of assignment. I appreciate the chance to continually connect with and collaborate alongside leaders.I currently play a strategic advisor role with a number of organizations.I’ve authored 2 books- The Catalyst Leader: Eight Essentials for Becoming a Change Maker, as well as my most recent best-seller entitled H3 Leadership: Be Humble, Stay Hungry, Always Hustle, both from Harper Leadership. And working on a 3rd book!SPONSORSThanks to our sponsor: Generis.A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visitGeneris.com/getstarted today! http://Generis.com/getstartedThanks to our sponsor: MOHI.Partnering with MOHI helps churches establish a culture of outward-focused discipleship early on. By connecting your congregation to Kingdom work in Africa, you foster generosity, compassion, and a vision for serving beyond your local community—values that help shape your church’s identity for years to come.https://mohiafrica.org/missions/

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.EPISODE LINKSThe Gathering Churchtheascentleader.org Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ WHO IS JOHN MARK REDWINE?John Mark joined the Coast Guard at 19 and served 8.5 years. During that time he got a Bachelor's in Religion and a Master's of Divinity from Liberty Theological Seminary. Before moving to Asheville he served as Student Director at Echo Church in San Jose, California. In 2013 he and his wife felt God calling them to plant a church. They spent the next two years building a team, planning, dreaming, and researching. In 2015 he and his family moved to Asheville to start the Gathering Church which launched in February 2016. He married Rahel in 2010 and they have three children, Eleanor, Dagny and Elvira.SPONSORSThanks to our sponsor: Generis.A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit http://Generis.com/getstarted today! Thanks to our sponsor: MOHI.Partnering with MOHI helps churches establish a culture of outward-focused discipleship early on. By connecting your congregation to Kingdom work in Africa, you foster generosity, compassion, and a vision for serving beyond your local community—values that help shape your church’s identity for years to come.https://mohiafrica.org/missions/

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.EPISODE LINKSChristian Stewardship Networkchristianstewardshipnetwork.comStewardship Leader Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stewardship-leader/id1479428446Financial Planning Ministryhttps://www.fpm.org/Chris@fpm.orgDo ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ WHO IS CHRIS GOULARD?Chris Goulard, CFP®, MML, serves as Vice President of Stewardship Initiatives at Financial Planning Ministry (FPM), where he helps churches develop estate planning ministries as a cornerstone of their stewardship initiatives. With over 25 years dedicated to promoting biblical financial stewardship, Chris also chairs the Christian Stewardship Network and frequently teaches on stewardship and generosity. After a successful financial services career as a Vice President at Fidelity Investments, MFS, and Prudential Financial, he joined Saddleback Church in 2004 as Pastor of Stewardship. Over 20 years on staff, he led initiatives such as Financial Freedom Workshops, Estate Planning, and a $50 million giving campaign, fostering a culture of generosity. Chris holds a BA in Economics from Dartmouth, a CFP® designation, and a seminary master’s degree. He and his wife, Jenifer, have been married for 35 years and have two adult sons and two amazing daughters-in-law.SPONSORSThanks to our sponsor: Generis.A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visitGeneris.com/getstarted today! http://Generis.com/getstartedThanks to our sponsor: MOHI.Partnering with MOHI helps churches establish a culture of outward-focused discipleship early on. By connecting your congregation to Kingdom work in Africa, you foster generosity, compassion, and a vision for serving beyond your local community—values that help shape your church’s identity for years to come.https://mohiafrica.org/missions/

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.EPISODE LINKS​​Missions of Hope International: https://mohiafrica.org/missions/Leadership Pain, by Samuel Chand: https://www.amazon.com/Leadership-Pain-Samuel-Chand-audiobook/dp/B075S9S4KY/ref=sr_1_1A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, by Eugene H. Peterson: https://www.amazon.com/Long-Obedience-Same-Direction-Discipleship/dp/1514011204/ref=sr_1_1Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ WHO IS AARON BROCKETT?Aaron Brockett is the lead pastor of Traders Point Christian Church in Indianapolis, where he’s served since 2007. Under his leadership, the church has grown into a movement committed to clearing the way for people to encounter Jesus, equipping them for spiritual battle, and sending them out to make a Kingdom impact—in Indianapolis and beyond. At the core of Aaron’s leadership is one conviction: Jesus is the only one who can truly change anyone. The church’s job is to help people get to Him—just like the friends in Mark 2 who tore open a roof to lower someone into Jesus’ presence. That bold, faith-filled act captures the heart of what Aaron believes the church is called to do every day—take ground for the Kingdom of God. Known for his clear, practical teaching and heart for people far from God, Aaron is also deeply committed to raising up and sending out the next generation of leaders. He invests in mentoring, developing, and multiplying leaders inside and outside the church. He serves on the board of Orchard Group, a global church-planting organization, and Strategic Launch Network, which equips and sends church planters across North America. Off the stage, Aaron is a lifelong learner who thrives on challenge and is constantly proving to himself that he can do hard things. He’s a voracious reader, currently learning jiu-jitsu, enjoys rucking with friends, and occasionally signs up for half marathons (even though he questions that decision around mile seven). Aaron and his wife, Lindsay, have four kids and a silver lab named Winston. Together, they’re focused on building a life of purpose, presence, and faith.SPONSORSThanks to our sponsor: Generis.A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visithttp://generis.com/getstarted today!Thanks to our sponsor: MOHI.Partnering with MOHI helps churches establish a culture of outward-focused discipleship early on. By connecting your congregation to Kingdom work in Africa, you foster generosity, compassion, and a vision for serving beyond your local community—values that help shape your church’s identity for years to come.https://mohiafrica.org/missions/

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.EPISODE LINKSGeneris E-Books & GuidesGenerosity 360Schedule a call with a consultantGeneris BlogDo ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ WHO IS FRANK BEALER?Frank Bealer is a passionate advocate for faith-based leadership, strategic innovation, and community impact. As the Chief Executive Officer of Generis, Frank brings over 25 years of ministry & leadership experience to helping churches and organizations align their mission with actionable strategies that serve their communities effectively. As an instrumental leader at Generis, he partners with churches and faith-based organizations to help them navigate complex challenges, implement innovative strategies, and develop pathways for sustainable growth. A core passion of Frank’s work is transforming the conversation around generosity, helping churches accelerate giving toward their God-inspired vision and equipping leaders with biblical strategies to cultivate lasting cultures of generosity. Driven by a deep love for the local church, Frank believes in the power of faith communities to lead with purpose, generosity, and resilience. His commitment is not just to help organizations grow, but to help them thrive in fulfilling their God-given mission. Frank and his wife Jessica live in the Atlanta area and are blessed with six wonderful children.SPONSORSThanks to our sponsor: Generis.A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visitGeneris.com/getstarted today!

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.EPISODE LINKSMultiply ProjectEmail Jeff BennettJeff Bennett on InstagramDo ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ WHO IS JEFF BENNETT?Jeff Bennett is the Executive Director of Multiply Project, helping church leaders identify, develop and send church planters from within their own church. Jeff also oversees the Flatirons Church Planting Network for Flatirons Church in Colorado. With more than 20 years of church planting experience, Jeff has served as Lead Planter, Executive Pastor and most recently served a decade as Vice President of Church Multiplication for Stadia Church Planting. He has a passion for bringing people together to accomplish big goals and has demonstrated a remarkable ability to build strong relationships with key leaders, foster collaboration, and drive results. Jeff lives outside Atlanta with his wife Lisa. They have two adult daughters, Madison and Macy. If he’s not talking with someone about how to plant more churches, he’s probably watching the Mets and rooting for them to win at least one more World Series in his lifetime.SPONSORSThanks to our sponsor: Generis.A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, host David Hibiske sits down with Pastor Matt Brown, founder of Sandals Church, to reflect on nearly 30 years of church planting. Matt shares his journey from humble beginnings with no funding or network to leading a multi-campus church with over 14 locations. With candor and humility, he unpacks lessons in resiliency, staffing, leadership clarity, and trusting God through setbacks and breakthroughs. His story highlights both the painful missteps and the pivotal decisions that shaped Sandals Church into what it is today, offering wisdom and encouragement for pastors and church planters navigating their own challenges.Welcome to Episode 043 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.EPISODE LINKSSandals ChurchEvery Day A Miracle, by Matthew Stephen BrownThe Debrief Podcast with Matthew Stephen BrownDo ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ WHO IS MATT BROWN?Matthew Stephen Brown is the founding and Senior Pastor at Sandals Church in Riverside, CA. From a small 8-person church plant in 1997, Sandals Church now has 15 physical campuses throughout California, a growing online campus with more than 50 countries tuning in, and a digital presence reaching 110,000 people weekly. In 2021, Matt released his first book, A Book Called YOU: Understanding the Enneagram from a Biblical Perspective. A Book Called YOU helps the reader learn about the person they were made to be and how a biblical view of self-discovery can improve every part of their life. With his second book, Everyday a Miracle: Trusting the God Who Heals Us Inside and Out, Matt asks the question: Where do you go when you need a miracle? He shows the reader that every day, there is an opportunity for a miracle and invites them onto the journey to discover Jesus not only as Savior but as Healer. As Sandals Church continues to grow, the focus is on the gospel being spread throughout the nations as more people embrace the vision of authenticity—being real with ourselves, God, and others.SPONSORSThanks to our sponsor: Generis.A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, host David Hibiske sits down with Brian Beauford, Executive Pastor of Grace Church in Boston, to explore the unique dynamics of second-chair leadership in church planting. Brian shares his journey from stepping into church planting as a college student to helping launch and grow Grace Church into a thriving multi-campus ministry. He unpacks lessons on finding the right second-chair leader, building trust with your senior pastor, and why understanding personality wiring through tools like Predictive Index can be a game-changer for leadership teams. Whether you’re a planter or a second-chair leader, Brian’s story offers encouragement and practical insights for building healthy, mission-driven teams.Welcome to Episode 042 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.EPISODE LINKS@bbeaufordPredictive Index Assessmentbrian@theproductivepastor.comDo ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ WHO IS BRIAN BEAUFORD?After graduating from college, I married my college sweetheart, who initially saw me as just a friend during our school years. Now we have 3 awesome kids and a crazy dog, I think I broke her with a laser pointer. During my time at college in Boston, I developed a passion for church planting. This led me to help start a church my junior year.Now, 18 years later, I serve as the executive pastor of that same church. It has grown to encompass 4 locations, and we’ve been instrumental in planting 7 other local churches.SPONSORSThanks to our sponsor: Generis.A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!

In this episode of the Unfair Advantage podcast, David Hibiske sits down with church planter and cohort coach Chris Delfs. Chris reflects on over 20 years of ministry, from launching LifePointe Church in Elk Grove, California, to navigating the highs, lows, and pivotal leadership decisions that shaped his journey. He shares hard-earned wisdom on building healthy teams, raising funds strategically, making courageous staffing decisions, and staying authentic as a leader. This episode is packed with practical encouragement and insight for planters and leaders ready to go further, faster.Welcome to Episode 041 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.EPISODE LINKSDo ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ WHO IS CHRIS DELFS?Chris Delfs is the Founding Pastor of LifePointe Christian Church in Elk Grove, California, where he’s served since planting the church in 2003. With over 30 years of ministry experience—including the joys and stretch marks of starting a church from scratch—Chris brings a blend of strategic insight, biblical depth, and real-world leadership to everything he does. Under his guidance, LifePointe has grown into a thriving church known for authentic relationships, practical and Biblically grounded teaching, community impact and a passion for multiplication. Chris has a deep heart for equipping leaders and regularly invests in his staff, lay leaders, pastors and church planters through various leadership development environments. His approach is relational, down-to-earth, and built on the conviction that healthy leaders can build healthy churches. He and his wife Heather have been married since 1992 and have three amazing adult children (and two grandkids). Their two oldest boys serve on church staffs, and their daughter is actively involved in the church while pursuing her college degree. When he’s not leading or preaching, Chris enjoys waterskiing, working out, hiking and anything that involves time with his family.SPONSORSThanks to our sponsor: Generis.A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!

In this second episode of a two-part series, David Hibiske sits down again with Sean Morgan to dive deeper into the vital role of church boards. They explore what it looks like for boards to truly support and protect their lead pastor, care for their pastor’s family, navigate compensation wisely, and foster unity even in challenging conversations. Sean offers practical insights for lay leaders and church planters on building healthy governance structures that advance the mission rather than slow it down. Whether you're a new board member, a seasoned elder, or a pastor wanting to strengthen your board relationships, this episode is packed with wisdom on stewarding the sacred trust of church leadership.Welcome to Episode 040 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.EPISODE LINKSsean@theascentleader.orgSticky Teams by Larry OsborneLeadership Pain by Sam ChandBetter Together by Jim Tomberlin & Warren BirdDo ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ WHO IS SEAN MORGAN?Sean started out in ministry serving in a San Francisco area church plant as their Executive Pastor.  He went on to help coach and consult with church leaders across the country and eventually founded The Ascent Leader, a first-of-its-kind organization focusing on relational leadership development for local church pastors. He also hosts the Leaders In Living Rooms podcast. Sean recently retired from a 26-year career as a KC-10 pilot in the US Air Force Reserve. His favorite titles are “Stacy’s husband” and “Kaylee and Ayden’s dad.”SPONSORSThanks to our sponsor: Generis.A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you're ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!