unSeminary Podcast

Who’s the Next You? Building a Gen Z Residency Pipeline with Dave Miller

Sep 11, 2025
Dave Miller, leader of Leadership Pathway and an advocate for young church leaders, discusses the importance of developing future ministers through two-year residency programs. He emphasizes that Gen Z is distinct and must be treated as an 'unreached people group,' requiring a fresh approach to leadership. The conversation highlights the need for churches to slow down and prioritize meaningful relationships over productivity. With a focus on nurturing young talent, Dave shares insights on innovative leadership development and the transformative impact of investing in Gen Z.
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INSIGHT

Treat Gen Z As A New Cultural Group

  • Gen Z is like an "unreached people group" that churches must sit with and learn from rather than force into old systems.
  • Dignify their contributions, learn their customs and language, and lead with relational investment rather than transactional demands.
ANECDOTE

Small Churches Can Develop Leaders

  • Dave recounts shifting from thinking only big churches could develop leaders to seeing hundreds of smaller churches succeed.
  • The change taught him to ask whether the senior pastor is a developer, not just whether the church is big.
ADVICE

Slow Down To Develop Leaders

  • Slow down: prioritize presence and face-to-face coaching over rushed check-ins or airport FaceTimes.
  • Invest time in real conversations because leadership development requires sustained proximity and listening.
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