Shows
The Unfair AdvantageEP 033 | 3 Societal and Church Conversations to be Aware of in 2025In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, David Hibiske dives into three critical societal and church leadership conversations shaping the landscape in 2025. He unpacks the "Negative World Concept," the breakdown of the home and family, and the return to prayer and revival stirrings. This episode is a must-listen for church planters and leaders eager to navigate current challenges and seize opportunities for impactful ministry.Welcome to Episode 033 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with Mike Hickerson and David Hibiske.EPISODE LINKSLife in the Negative World, by Aaron...2025-01-0729 minThe Unfair AdvantageEP 030 | Maximizing Your Preaching and Church Calendar for MomentumIn 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.Welcome to Episode 030 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with Mike Hickerson and David Hibiske.EPISODE LINKSUA28 - Align Your Ministry Plan to Your VisionUA23 - Setting the Tone for a Great Weekend...2024-10-1531 minThe Unfair AdvantageEP 029 | Lenny Barber on Prioritizing Spiritual Health and Multi-Cultural MinistryDon’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.Welcome to Episode 029 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with Mike Hickerson and David Hibiske.EPISODE LINKS@Lenny.BarberD...2024-09-1748 minThe Unfair AdvantageEP 028 | You've Planted, Now What? How to Bring Alignment to Your Church“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.Welcome to Episode 028 of...2024-08-2036 minThe Unfair AdvantageEP 027 | The Importance of Coaching & Mentorship in Church Planting“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. Welcome to Episode 027 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with Mike Hickerson and David Hibiske.EPISODE LINKSDo ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter C...2024-07-2342 minThe Unfair AdvantageEP 026 | Tim Celek's Insights on Reviving the Call & Prioritizing Evangelism in Today's World“Assignments change, but your calling doesn’t.” Meet Tim Celek, Senior Director of Post-Launch Services at Stadia. In today’s episode, guest host, Sean Morgan, leads a conversation with Tim to help us understand the nuances of calling and evangelism in the church today. You’ll hear what Tim has noticed trending in church planters within the last five years, and how to instill an evangelism mindset in the core of your church.Welcome to Episode 026 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with Mike Hickerson and David Hibiske.EPISODE LINKShttps...2024-06-2548 minThe Unfair AdvantageEP 025 | Setting the Tone for a Great Weekend ExperienceToday, we're discussing the crucial role of weekend services for church planters, emphasizing their importance for spiritual growth, welcoming first-time guests, and creating momentum. David outlines four key ways to enhance weekend experiences: setting the tone spiritually through personal devotion and prayer, culturally by reinforcing vision and excellence, strategically for guest outreach by lowering anxiety and ensuring clarity, and aligning all teams and ministries to work cohesively. Hibiske encourages church planters to prioritize spiritual readiness, inspect and improve cultural standards, focus on guest experiences, and foster team alignment to drive growth and engagement in their churches.2024-05-2831 minThe Unfair AdvantageEP 024 | Unveiling the 7 Game-Changing Shifts in the First 2 YearsWhether you're planting a church or leading one, these seven shifts will be pivotal in the first two years of development. They set the tone for a community's growth and impact. Remember, it's about a long obedience in the same direction. Take it step by step, and give yourself and your team the grace to grow.Welcome to Episode 024 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with Mike Hickerson and David Hibiske. EPISODE LINKSDo ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader C...2024-04-3036 minThe Unfair AdvantageEP 023 | 5 Bold Convictions on Prayer for Every Church PlanterABOUT THE EPISODEPrayer—it's not just some spiritual tool you whip out when you need it. Today, Mike Hickerson and David Hibiske talk about how skipping prayer might actually be holding you back more than you think. Starting with pastors’ own private prayer time, Mike and David break down how investing your time and even some cash into prayer can transform the heart of your church. Listen in for practical tips on bringing prayer into your community, making it accessible and meaningful for everyone.Welcome to Episode 023 of The Unfair Advantage Podc...2024-04-0233 minThe Unfair AdvantageEP 020 | Parenting and PlantingABOUT THE EPISODE“We overestimate how much energy we need to make an awesome church, and we underestimate how important it is to have a healthy marriage.” Today, we’re joined by hosts Mike Hickerson and David Hibiske in a church-planting conversation centered around the family side of a pastor. Often, in the hustle of church planting, pastors can fall into the trap of prioritizing work over family. This only ends up negatively affecting both the church and your family! Listen in for key takeaways and best practices to maintain strength in your family as you...2024-01-0939 minThe Unfair AdvantageEP 018 | David Hibiske on the Importance of Commitment and Capacity-Building in Church Planting“There’s something about commitment that brings focus that unlocks growth.” Meet David Hibiske, Pastor of Strategic Ministry Initiatives at Saddleback Church. Today’s encouragement to church planters is to be ridiculously faithful with what God has given you. Whether you are planting a church, or in a season of growth and waiting, there is encouragement for you in today’s episode. David shares two big leaps in leadership that make all the difference in your capacity to allow for church growth.Welcome to Episode 018 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with Mike Hickerson and Andy Wood...2023-11-2842 min