Church Planting

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In Part 1 of this two-part series, host David Hibiske is joined by Sean Morgan to discuss one of the most critical—and often overlooked—foundations of church planting: board governance. With decades of experience in church leadership and transitions, Sean unpacks why getting your board structure right from the start matters deeply for your mission and longevity as a planter. They explore the legal, spiritual, and practical aspects of governance, how to identify the right board members, and what Scripture does—and doesn’t—say about board roles. Whether you're in pre-launch or year five, this episode offers key wisdom to help you build a healthy governance culture that supports your calling, avoids pitfalls, and cultivates unity.

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, Chris Stephens shares his remarkable journey from a troubled past to leading one of the largest churches in Tennessee. Growing up in poverty, struggling with addiction, and facing abuse, Chris found hope and purpose in Christ at 22. His story is one of radical transformation, unwavering vision, and relentless faith. Chris discusses the early challenges of planting a church, the importance of vision in leadership, and the critical role of spiritual formation in sustaining ministry. He also shares insights on overcoming fear, building effective teams, and remaining focused on God's calling amid challenges. This conversation is packed with powerful lessons for church planters and leaders looking to make a lasting impact.

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, Brandon Bowers, Lead Pastor and planter of Awaken Church in Charleston, South Carolina, joins David Hibiske to share his 12-year journey of church planting—from parachuting in with a team of nine to launching two campuses and navigating growing pains. Brandon unpacks the highs, lows, and leadership lessons he's learned along the way, including the importance of missional clarity, team alignment, and staying rooted in conviction. Whether you're just starting out or years into your plant, Brandon’s insights will both challenge and encourage you to lead with purpose and perseverance.

In this episode of the Unfair Advantage, we're hearing from Heiden Ratner—former Division I basketball player turned church planter in Las Vegas, Nevada. Heiden shares his powerful journey from chasing purpose on the basketball court to finding deeper fulfillment through faith in Jesus. With honesty and wisdom, he unpacks what it means to lead a church you actually like, the importance of team alignment over talent, and how clarity in leadership creates healthy culture. Whether you’re planting a church or leading a ministry team, this conversation is packed with encouragement, practical tools, and reminders that God is able to do more than we could ask or imagine.

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, host David Hibiske sits down with church planter Raymond Hudson to discuss his journey of planting a church in Berkeley, California—one of the most challenging places to reach with the gospel. Raymond shares how his early experiences in church planting shaped his calling, the challenges of launching during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of loving and serving a city rather than trying to "fix" it. He also offers key insights on leadership development, team building, and financial sustainability for church planters. His story is a powerful testament to faith, adaptability, and the impact of a deeply embedded, service-oriented church.

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, Sean welcomes Tyler Scott (CPC in Danville, CA), James Grogan (East Lake in Southern California), and Danny Strange (Three Crosses, Northern California) to explore the steps toward becoming a multiplying church. The discussion emphasizes the "crawl, walk, run" approach to church planting, sharing practical insights from each leader's experience. From embracing self-awareness and addressing organizational challenges to cultivating outward-focused leadership and partnerships, this episode is packed with actionable strategies for pastors and church leaders eager to impact their communities and beyond.

Only four weeks post-launch, Jake and Kaelia open up about the joys and challenges of planting Create Church in an urban setting of San Diego. They share personal stories of faith, resilience, and the community that has rallied around them during both triumphant and painful times. This conversation covers the practicalities of church planting, lessons in leadership, and the importance of community support, making it an insightful listen for church planters and leaders alike.

In this episode, we explore the power of intentional church calendar planning to build momentum and maximize impact in your ministry. Your church calendar can be one of your greatest assets, but too often, we miss out on growth opportunities by failing to plan ahead or aligning our teams with our strategy.

Don’t underestimate the power of a two-year-old church. Today’s conversation with Lenny Barber, Pastor and planter of The House Church in Ferguson, MO, reminds us of the importance of pastors’ spiritual health and purity of motives in planting. Discover how Pastor Lenny continues to build up a church with multicultural intentionality to welcome people into a space that reflects the diversity of their city.

“We’re not after control…we’re after a common goal.” In today’s episode, David Hibiske guides us through eight steps of aligning your ministry after you’ve launched. It’s one thing to be busy, and it can be an entirely different thing to be effective. We’re reminded in today’s episode that we’re not after busyness, but we’re after traction in our mission. Listen in for a ton of practical questions to ask each step of the way and helpful tools to get your ministry in alignment after you’ve launched.

“If you feel like you have to choose, choose your family.” Coaching plays a crucial role in the success of your leadership. Today, we’re hearing from Ben Pilgreen and Ernest Smith as they discuss the ways coaching impacted more than the health of their churches…it has contributed to the health of their families.