Brad Lomenick

1. Calling Is Direction. Assignment Is Season.
   

Brad makes a powerful distinction between calling and assignment. Calling is the directional current of your life—the vocational through-line God has wired into you. Assignment is the craft you’re currently steering down that river. You may change churches, roles, or even cities, but your calling remains. Clarity here prevents identity confusion and helps leaders navigate transitions without crisis.

2. Your Childhood Leaves Breadcrumbs.

One of the most practical insights is to look backward in order to move forward. The things you did naturally as a child—the organizing, peacemaking, leading, creating—are often clues to your God-given wiring. Leaders should gather as much data as possible early in life through feedback, assessments, and honest conversations to identify recurring patterns of strength and motivation.

3. Today’s Leaders Think Like Free Agents.

Brad highlights a major cultural shift: younger generations increasingly see their careers as a series of short-term projects rather than a lifelong arc. This is not necessarily disloyalty—it’s access. With more options than ever, people require greater clarity to stay aligned. Church planters must lead like coaches, not bosses, helping team members discern their growth rather than simply demanding loyalty.

4. Coach, Don’t Control.

The difference between a boss and a coach is relational investment. A boss manages output. A coach develops people. In a church context, this means investing in leaders even if they may eventually leave. Kingdom thinking expands influence beyond one local expression of ministry.

5. Don’t Overlook the Third and Fourth Quarter Leaders.

While many planters chase young talent, Brad encourages leaders to pursue seasoned professionals—early retirees, experienced executives, and established leaders with margin. These “old sages” bring stability, wisdom, financial flexibility, and relational maturity that can anchor a church plant and strengthen its generational depth.

6. Build Multi-Generational Environments on Purpose.

Younger generations crave authenticity, biblical depth, and relational access. Creating intentional spaces where junior high students, young adults, middle-aged leaders, and seasoned veterans interact fosters discipleship and belonging. Multi-generational proximity is not accidental—it must be designed.

     7. Double Down on Relational Intelligence in an AI Age.

In a digital world dominated by automation, relational intelligence becomes a strategic advantage. Leaders must intentionally cultivate environments of proximity, connection, and personal introduction. The lobby is no longer “dead time” between services—it’s mission space. Assign trusted connectors to introduce people to one another and turn passive attendance into relational stickiness.

     8. Solve the Loneliness Problem.

Brad notes that many men—especially those in their 30s—are deeply lonely. Church plants have an opportunity to meet this pain point by helping people build genuine friendships, not just attend services. When relationships form, commitment grows.

     9. Content Can Extend the Impact of Sunday.

An emerging trend is leveraging podcasts and follow-up content to unpack weekend sermons throughout the week. Rather than limiting impact to a single service window, churches can add value daily through additional teaching, discussion, and engagement platforms.

     10. Guard Against Insecurity.

One of the greatest threats to emerging leaders is insecurity. Every leader wrestles with it, regardless of platform size. The key is not pretending it doesn’t exist, but building systems that protect you from yourself. Secure leaders create healthy cultures; insecure leaders create defensive ones.