The Unfair Advantage

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.Welcome to Episode 039 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.EPISODE LINKSDo 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 SEAN MORGAN?Sean started out in ministry serving in a San Francisco area church plant as their Executive Pastor.  He went on to help coach and consult with church leaders across the country and eventually founded The Ascent Leader, a first-of-its-kind organization focusing on relational leadership development for local church pastors. He also hosts the Leaders In Living Rooms podcast. Sean recently retired from a 26-year career as a KC-10 pilot in the US Air Force Reserve. His favorite titles are “Stacy’s husband” and “Kaylee and Ayden’s dad.”SPONSORSThanks 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!

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.Welcome to Episode 038 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.EPISODE LINKShttps://www.faithpromise.orgDo 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 CHRIS STEPHENS?DR. CHRIS STEPHENS (Faith Promise Church, TN) Chris was the Senior Pastor of Faith Promise Church in Knoxville, Tennessee for over twenty-seven years and in 2023 completed a successful succession of the Senior Pastor role to his son. Now, he spends his time working to secure the future of the church by raising money to accomplish the vision of reaching 1% of Tennessee while training church leaders, speaking and traveling on behalf of the church. Chris holds a Doctor of Ministry degree in Evangelistic Church Growth. Under his leadership the church grew from 250 to over 8,000 in attendance and a staff that has grown from 5 to 75 with ten locations across East Tennessee, an international campus in Costa Rica, and a global Online Campus. Chris has published ten books: The Climb of Your Life: Reaching the Peak of Your Potential, The Plan of Your Life: Managing What Matters Most, Without: 31 Days to Increase Your Faith, Called Out: What God Calls You Calls You Out, New Rivers, New Roads, All In, Finding Favor, Transformation, Passing the Baton, and So Help Me God. Chris is married to Michele and they have three married children, three granddaughters and four grandsons. They thoroughly enjoy their time spent as Mimi and Pop Pop. They also enjoy traveling together. Pastor Chris can also often be found in his converted barn…the ultimate man cave.SPONSORSThanks 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!

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.Welcome to Episode 037 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.EPISODE LINKShttp://www.awakenchurch.cc@_brandonbowersDo 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 BRANDON BOWERS?Brandon Bowers is the founding and Lead Pastor of Awaken Church in Charleston, SC and is passionate about seeing people far from God awakened to life in Christ. Awaken was planted in 2013 with a team of nine people and is now a multisite church of 2000 people that has celebrated 800+ baptisms. With a heavy focus on small group relational discipleship, almost 50% of weekend attendees are engaged in small groups meeting throughout the region. Brandon received a MA in Missiology from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, serves as a Leadership Catalyst with SC Baptist Convention, and is the author of Rise Above the Lies, which details his planting journey with Awaken and leadership insights discovered along the way. He has been married to his college sweetheart Ashley since 2003 and they have four kids and live in the suburbs of Charleston.SPONSORSThanks 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!

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.Welcome to Episode 036 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.EPISODE LINKShttps://www.heidenratner.com/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 HEIDEN RATNER?Heiden is the husband to Neena Ratner and the father of their four boys, Epaph (9), Asa (6), Heiden Jr. (4), and Lion (2). He serves as the Sr. Pastor of WALK Church in Las Vegas, NV where he preaches regularly. Along with pastoring, Heiden serves as the Las Vegas City Missionary for the church planting network Send Network. Heiden has a passion and calling for sports ministry and he has the honor of serving the NFL Las Vegas Raiders and the WNBA Las Vegas Aces as their Team Chaplain.SPONSORSThanks 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!

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.Welcome to Episode 035 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.EPISODE LINKShttps://www.ourcitycenter.com/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 RAYMOND HUDSON?Raymond Hudson is a dedicated leader with over 15 years of experience in ministry, education, and community development. He has passionately served in various pastoral roles, focusing on creating welcoming spaces where people of all backgrounds can grow in their faith, discover their purpose, and impact their communities. In addition to his ministry work, Raymond has led numerous initiatives in education, partnering with schools to support underserved families, championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, and mentoring educators to foster culturally responsive classrooms. His heart for empowering others is evident in his work, where he consistently prioritizes equity, collaboration, and innovation to help individuals and organizations thrive. Raymond has been married to his wife Rachel for 17 years, and together, they are the proud parents of four amazing children. As a family, they are deeply committed to faith, service, and creating meaningful connections with those around them. Raymond’s leadership is guided by his passion for helping people maximize their potential, both spiritually and practically, to make a lasting impact in their communities.SPONSORSThanks 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!

In this episode of The Unfair Advantage Podcast, host David Hibiske welcomes back Sean Sears, a seasoned church planter from New England. Sean shares his powerful journey of balancing ministry with family life, including the lessons he learned after nearly losing his marriage during the early years of church planting. He offers profound insights into finding identity in Christ rather than ministry success, setting boundaries to prioritize family, and building healthy leadership that reflects God’s love. This honest and vulnerable conversation is packed with wisdom for planters navigating the challenges of ministry, family, and personal growth.Welcome to Episode 034 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.EPISODE LINKShttps://thatsgrace.orgDo 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 SEAN SEARS?Sean and Billie started Grace Church with their spiritually disconnected neighbors in the Fall of 2005. They sent out their first church plant in 2009 when they were only running 85 people in weekly attendance. Grace Church has launched a total of 11 other churches with 3 more coming in the next 9 months. Last weekend, 3000+ people attended one of Grace Church’s 4 locations with no ethnic demographic larger than 45%.SPONSORSThanks 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!

In 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 RennEpisode 20 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast: "Parenting and Planting"The Anxious Generation by Jonathan HaidtJohn Tyson’s Pray.NYC initiativeEpisode 23 of The Unfair Advantage: "Five Bold Convictions on Prayer for Every Church Planter"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 DAVID HIBISKE?David Hibiske is the Pastor of Strategic Ministry Initiatives at Saddleback Church, located in Lake Forest, CA. He’s a husband, dad of three amazing kids, and on his time off he loves backpacking and exploring outdoors. Prior to Saddleback he was able to be a part of two church plants, and is passionate about helping ministry leaders reach their potential.SPONSORSThanks 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!

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.Welcome to Episode 032 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with today’s guest host, Sean Morgan!EPISODE LINKSExponential Conferences: ExponentialDo 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 TYLER SCOTT?Tyler serves as Lead Pastor at CPC (Community Presbyterian Church) in Danville. Tyler gets to pastor the church that he grew up in! He is a graduate of De La Salle High School, UCLA (B.A.), Pepperdine University (M.B.A.), and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Tyler has served as a pastor at CPC since 2012. Tyler has been married to Bridget for 18 years. She’s an amazing wife, mom, and friend (and chiropractor). Together, they have three bold boys--Trevor (15), Owen (13) and Cole (11). WHO IS JAMES GROGAN?James is the Lead Pastor at Eastlake Church, a growing movement of churches founded in Chula Vista, CA, which includes several locations in Southern California and Tijuana, Mexico. James is also a catalyst leader of the San Diego Church Plant Movement. He has worked in full-time local church ministry for over 25 years, with the last 19 spent on staff at Eastlake Church. James and his wife Rebecca have been married for 24 years and have 3 children of their own and have also served as foster parents for a few amazing children.WHO IS DANNY STRANGE?Danny Strange is currently beginning his third year as Senior Pastor of 3Crosses, a diverse church in the SF Bay Area (3crosses.org). Prior to serving as Senior Pastor, Danny spent 19 years on staff at 3Crosses, serving in various capacities since 2000. Born and raised in the East Bay, Danny currently lives in Castro Valley with his wife Jessica and six children (Jackson 14, Carter 12, Hudson 11, Brady 8, Harper 6 and Peyton 6).SPONSORSThanks 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!

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.Welcome to Episode 031 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with today’s guest host, Sean Morgan!EPISODE LINKSVisit Create Church to learn more about Jake and Kaelia’s work in San Diego.Follow Jake and Kaelia on Instagram for updates: @JakeVayda and @kaekae_janae.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 ARE JAKE AND KAELIA?Jake and Kaelia are passionate about creating spaces of connection that help people act on their good intentions. As the lead pastors of Create Church in San Diego’s Arts District, they recently celebrated one of the largest grand openings in urban San Diego’s history. Their fresh approach to Christianity, currently being developed into a curriculum, resonates with a new generation by blending new language with holistic integration. Their vision of connection extends beyond the church through their real estate company, where they craft beautiful spaces for people to gather, grow, and feel at home. When they’re not creating spaces, you’ll find them on long walks, exploring open houses, or relaxing with the latest Dolby movie (reclining seats baby!). Jake and Kaelia both earned degrees from Point Loma University; Jake holds a Master’s in Ministry, while Kaelia earned a Bachelor’s in Christian Studies.SPONSORSThanks 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!

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.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 ExperienceDo 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 DAVID HIBISKE?David Hibiske is the Pastor of Strategic Ministry Initiatives at Saddleback Church, located in Lake Forest, CA. He’s a husband, dad of three amazing kids, and on his time off he loves backpacking and exploring outdoors. Prior to Saddleback he was able to be a part of two church plants, and is passionate about helping ministry leaders reach their potential.SPONSORSThanks 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!