About The Episode
On this episode of The Unfair Advantage, host David Hibiske sits down with Jon Dupin for an open, reflective conversation on nearly 28 years of ministry, leadership transitions, and what it truly takes to build a lasting church. Jon shares the story of Waymaker Church’s humble beginnings, starting as an accidental revitalization with just six people, and traces the journey through periods of rapid growth, model shifts, and painful defining moments. Together, David and Jon discuss the reality of early-stage “copy and paste” leadership, the power of prayer and fasting during organizational crises, and how leaders can discern when a season is drawing to a close. Whether you are launching a new work, navigating mid-stage growth barriers, or preparing for long-term succession, this episode offers practical wisdom on staying faithful, avoiding leadership burnout, and discovering your God-given identity in the midst of ministry challenges.
Welcome to Episode 055 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.
Insights From Jon
Church planting and revitalization rarely follow a clean, predictable line. Looking back on 28 years of leading Waymaker Church, founding pastor Jon Dupin shares key lessons on how leaders are formed, how ministries mature, and how to stay healthy over the long haul.
Growth Sometimes Requires Subtraction
In the early days of a revitalization or plant, increasing impact doesn’t always look like adding more people right away. Sometimes, getting clear on vision means letting go of outdated structures, legacy mindsets, or even toxic culture. True health begins when a core group aligns around a shared, singular mission rather than trying to satisfy everyone’s preferences.
The Trap and Necessity of “Copy and Paste” Leadership
It is natural for young leaders to borrow strategies, teaching styles, and organizational structures from larger, high-profile churches. In the beginning, adopting an established framework gives you scaffolding while you find your footing. However, trouble arises if you stay in copy-and-paste mode indefinitely. A church cannot thrive long-term on a borrowed identity; eventually, leaders must do the hard spiritual work to discover the unique mission God has called their specific house to steward.
Pain Is Often the Catalyst for Clarity
Major shifts rarely happen when everything is running smoothly. Organizational friction, staff burnout, or sudden barriers often serve as a wake-up call to re-evaluate how you operate. It was out of a season of deep pressure and soul-searching that Jon turned to prayer and fasting, inviting the entire congregation into a new rhythm of seeking God. That painful reset dismantled unhealthy structures and birthed a fresh wave of direction and spiritual vitality.
Learn the Difference Between Attractional Spikes and Sustainable Growth
Context matters when evaluating numbers. Operating near a major university or in a seasonal town can create massive, sudden spikes in attendance. Treating temporary crowds as permanent growth often leads to overbuilding, overstaffing, and financial strain. Leaders must learn to distinguish between general interest or seasonal influxes and the core group of committed, local disciples who will sustain the vision year-round.
Recognize the End of a Season
One of the most dangerous places for a leader to be is out of season—staying in a role out of comfort, momentum, or fear of the unknown rather than clear calling. Healthy leadership requires holding assignments open-handed. Recognizing when your specific work is complete allows you to build a healthy succession plan, pass the torch faithfully, and step confidently into whatever new assignment God has waiting.
Episode Links
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 Jon Dupin?
Jon spent 28 years as the Founding Pastor of Waymaker.Church, guiding a thriving faith community through decades of growth, leadership development, and local and global impact, before successfully leading the search and succession process for the new lead pastor. Today, he channels nearly three decades of pastoral leadership into business entrepreneurship and specialized marriage and family coaching. He recently launched The Renavelle Project, an initiative that helps couples restore friendship, deepen faith, and become the spiritual foundation their families were created to have. Jon and his wife, Tammy, have been married for 28 years and are the proud parents of three married children and grandparents to four.
Sponsors
Thanks 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!
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.
Our goal with the Ascent Leader and our church planting cohorts is to help church planters win early and finish strong. We want to resource you so that you can avoid common pitfalls and simple mistakes. Being involved in a community of leaders like our church planting cohorts is one of the best ways to wrestle through these questions. We’re here to help you, if we can be of assistance to you please feel free to reach out.
Contact our team: ops@theascentleader.org
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