The Unfair Advantage Art of Leadership Network

“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. 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/ (https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/) WHO IS DAVID HIBISKE?David Hibiske is the Pastor of Strategic Ministry Initiatives at Saddleback Church. He grew up in Wilmington, NC before moving to Fort Worth, TX to attend Southwestern Seminary. David met his wife, Kendall, while in Seminary and they have two daughters, Ella and Avery, and one son, Andrew. After completing his Master of Divinity, David and Kendall moved to San Jose, CA to join the staff team at South Bay Church (now Echo Church). In 2022, God called them to head to Southern California and join the team at Saddleback Church where David now serves as Pastor of Strategic Ministry Initiatives. SPONSORSThanks to our sponsor: Generis (https://generis.com/).Generis exists to help create a culture of generosity for your church, school, or organization. 

“Sometimes we pray generic prayers and expect God to give specific answers, but there is a power in inviting God to show off in the process of planting a church.” Today’s church planting insights include eight steps toward raising financial support. Andy and Mike reflect on their own church plant experiences as they advise church planters on the financial side of the ministry launch. Be encouraged today by fellow church planters as you navigate your own planting journey!Welcome to Episode 017 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with Mike Hickerson and Andy Wood. EPISODE LINKSFunding Your Ministry (https://www.amazon.com/Funding-Your-Ministry-Depth-Successfully/dp/1631466844/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=580711973671&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9030021&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=12317034867278633893&hvtargid=kwd-147753682&hydadcr=21901_13324153&keywords=funding+your+ministry&qid=1696266809&sr=8-1) by Scott Morton Never Eat Alone (https://www.amazon.com/Never-Eat-Alone-Expanded-Updated/dp/0385346654/ref=sr_1_1?crid=27WLHFL3AA1SC&keywords=never+eat+alone&qid=1696267860&sprefix=never+eat+al%2Caps%2C137&sr=8-1) by Keith FerrazziDo 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/ (https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/) WHO ARE MIKE HICKERSON AND ANDY WOOD?Andy Wood is the Senior Pastor of Saddleback Church. Andy and his wife Stacie are answering God's call to serve at Saddleback after over a decade of church planting. The Wood's started South Bay Church in 2009 with two other families. South Bay Church officially changed their name to Echo.Church in January of 2018. Echo.Church has become one of the fastest growing churches in the most unchurched area of the United States and is now reaching over 2,300 people in regular attendance in three locations across Silicon Valley.Andy's passion is to create environments that engage the unchurched people of the Bay Area. Along with leading the church, Andy enjoys investing time in helping church planters and church leaders think more innovatively and strategically to reach people in the most unreached areas of North America. Andy and Stacie have three kids, Caedmon, Sammy, and Karis. Mike Hickerson is the Lead Pastor of Mission Church in Ventura, CA. Mike describes himself as a church planter, lucky husband, outnumbered dad of three daughters, Oklahoma Sooner fan, coffee addict, and a struggling surfer.SPONSORSThanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry.Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches (https://www.fh.org/churches/).  

“If you don’t value team, and if you can’t build a team, it’s going to be lonely, and it’s going to be limiting.” Meet Ben Pilgreen, founder and lead pastor of Epic Church in San Francisco, CA. Today, we get to hear a unique perspective from Ben on his experience planting a church in the urban setting of San Francisco. Discover with us the core church planting elements that stay the same along with the nuances that come with a large, urban context.Welcome to Episode 016 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with Mike Hickerson and Andy Wood. EPISODE LINKShttps://www.epicsf.com/ (https://www.epicsf.com/)https://shaunapilgreen.com/ (https://shaunapilgreen.com/)Bring It Out Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bring-it-out/id1589170794)The Ideal Team Player, 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, and The Motive (https://www.amazon.com/The-Motive-Patrick-M-Lencioni-audiobook/dp/B07ZJTL6GD/ref=sr_1_1?crid=Q1N7TZPL6VKI&keywords=the+motive+by+patrick+lencioni&qid=1693246459&s=audible&sprefix=the+motive+by+%2Caudible%2C158&sr=1-1) by Patrick LencioniWho Not How, by SullivanThe Synergist and Predictable Success by Les McKeownGood To Great, (https://www.amazon.com/Good-to-Great-Jim-Collins-audiobook/dp/B003VXI5MS/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=good+to+great+by+jim+collins&qid=1693246430&s=audible&sprefix=good+to+%2Caudible%2C155&sr=1-1) by Jim CollinsMultipliers (https://www.amazon.com/Multipliers-Revised-and-Updated-audiobook/dp/B06XXZSZRJ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=37YCHVTQKJCUT&keywords=multipliers+by+liz+wiseman.+harper+business+2017&qid=1693246504&s=audible&sprefix=multipliers%2Caudible%2C156&sr=1-1), by Liz WisemanRocket Fuel (https://www.amazon.com/Rocket-Fuel-audiobook/dp/B012HJOBRY/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ARAP9SAM2G8J&keywords=rocket+fuel&qid=1693246525&s=audible&sprefix=rocket+fuel%2Caudible%2C216&sr=1-1), Gino Wickman At The Table with Patrick Lencioni (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/at-the-table-with-patrick-lencioni/id1474171732)Podcast

“Whenever God does a ‘what,’ He first finds a ‘who.’” Today we are tackling what could be considered one of the most important aspects of church planting–the “who” of your staff team! Mike and Andy remind us there are few “lone rangers” in the Bible. But cultivating a team can be a daunting task when you want to launch a sustainable church plant. Find out key questions to ask and character traits to look for in today’s episode!Welcome to Episode 015 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with Mike Hickerson and Andy Wood. EPISODE LINKSThe Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick LencioniThe Advantage by Patrick LencioniGood to Great by James C. Collins (the concept of a Level 5 leader)Integrity by Henry CloudTrust by Henry CloudEnneagram (https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-descriptions); Myers-Briggs (https://www.themyersbriggs.com/en-US/Products-and-Services/Myers-Briggs); etc.Sticky Teams by Larry OsborneDo 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/ (https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/) WHO ARE MIKE AND ANDY?Andy Wood is the Senior Pastor of Saddleback Church. Andy and his wife Stacie are answering God's call to serve at Saddleback after over a decade of church planting. The Wood's started South Bay Church in 2009 with two other families. South Bay Church officially changed their name to Echo.Church in January of 2018. Echo.Church has become one of the fastest growing churches in the most unchurched area of the United States and is now reaching over 2,300 people in regular attendance in three locations across Silicon Valley.Andy's passion is to create environments that engage the unchurched people of the Bay Area. Along with leading the church, Andy enjoys investing time in helping church planters and church leaders think more innovatively and strategically to reach people in the most unreached areas of North America. Andy and Stacie have three kids, Caedmon, Sammy, and Karis. Mike Hickerson is the Lead Pastor of Mission Church in Ventura, CA. Mike describes himself as a church planter, lucky husband, outnumbered dad of three daughters, Oklahoma Sooner fan, coffee addict,

ABOUT THE EPISODE“Perseverance is an underrated characteristic of people who succeed.” Meet Brent Storms, President of Orchard Group, an organization that helps leaders plant churches. In today’s episode, we’re getting practical with the “where” of church planting. A few crucial shifts in the way you approach a planting location can infuse your church with longevity and set it up for success. Welcome to Episode 014 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with Mike Hickerson and Andy Wood. EPISODE LINKShttp://orchard.groupDo ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Checkout the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ (https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/) WHO IS BRENT STORMS?Brent planted a church in the Boston area in 1999 with help from Orchard Group. He joined the staff of Orchard Group in 2004 and has been serving as President since 2009. He loves helping leaders reach their full potential so that new churches reach their communities with the good news of Jesus. He and his family currently live in Ventura, CA.SPONSORSThanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry.Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches (https://www.fh.org/churches/). 

“So much of our journey is discovering what God has in mind.” Questions are powerful. Asking the right question with the right heart posture can be used by God to take your church plant far. Oftentimes, as church planters, we come with ready and willing hearts, but we lack the understanding of where God is leading us practically to plant a church. Today’s episode gives you five key questions to prayerfully ask as you discern where to plant. Welcome to Episode 013 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with Mike Hickerson and Andy Wood. EPISODE LINKSBlue Ocean StrategyDo ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Checkout the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/ (https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/) WHO ARE ANDY AND MIKE?Andy Wood is the Senior Pastor of Saddleback Church. Andy and his wife Stacie are answering God's call to serve at Saddleback after over a decade of church planting. The Wood's started South Bay Church in 2009 with two other families. South Bay Church officially changed their name to Echo.Church in January of 2018. Echo.Church has become one of the fastest growing churches in the most unchurched area of the United States and is now reaching over 2,300 people in regular attendance in three locations across Silicon Valley.Andy's passion is to create environments that engage the unchurched people of the Bay Area. Along with leading the church, Andy enjoys investing time in helping church planters and church leaders think more innovatively and strategically to reach people in the most unreached areas of North America. Andy and Stacie have three kids, Caedmon, Sammy, and Karis. Mike Hickerson is the Lead Pastor of Mission Church in Ventura, CA. Mike describes himself as a church planter, lucky husband, outnumbered dad of three daughters, Oklahoma Sooner fan, coffee addict, and a struggling surfer.SPONSORSThanks to our sponsor: Food For The Hungry.Combine your church's heart for the poor and Food for the Hungry’s global experience at fh.org/churches (https://www.fh.org/churches/).