Welcome to the unSeminary podcast. This January we’re focusing on key “Unpredictions”—timeless truths that church leaders need to be focusing on in 2025 and beyond. In this episode, we’re joined by Dave Miller, co-founder of Leadership Pathway, and are talking about how the next generation will matter more.

Are you curious about how your church can effectively engage and empower the next generation of leaders? Tune in to learn how your church can benefit from a residency program and how to set young leaders up for success for the health and growth of the church.

Empowering Gen Z. // The success of young leaders depends not on their education or even their passion for Christ, but rather on the quality of coaching they receive from their supervisors. Strong mentorship and intentional development are pivotal in helping these leaders thrive in their roles. Unfortunately, many churches struggle to provide this support due to full schedules and generational disconnects among staff.
Age of authority. // Gen Z is more self-reliant, skilled, and innovative, with access to tools and platforms that were unavailable to previous generations. These leaders are reshaping the dynamics of leadership by seeking opportunities that align with their unique talents and ambitions. For example, Dave recalls a young leader who considered social media monetization a viable alternative to being a youth pastor, reflecting a broader trend of independence and resourcefulness.
Listen to young leaders. // Churches need to rethink their strategies for engaging young leaders. Start with simple, meaningful conversations to understand their ideas, values, and motivations. Invite them to participate in strategic decision-making or leadership discussions to foster a sense of ownership and make them feel valued.
Create a customized residency. // Leadership Pathway’s residency programs address the challenges churches face by providing structured mentorship for young leaders. The two-year program is customized to fit the unique needs of each church, whether they are launching new campuses, planning for succession, or addressing internal growth challenges. These residencies go beyond internships by emphasizing coaching and practical experience, with the goal of producing highly desired, hireable leaders by the program’s end. Leadership Pathway also equips supervisors with coaching skills so they can effectively mentor their residents.
Build a leadership pipeline now. // Church leaders constantly face the need to replace team members. Many leaders get caught in a cycle of reactive hiring rather than proactively building a pipeline of future leaders. Start the conversation about developing a residency program now, even if you don’t have an urgent need at the moment. Even a basic landing page on your church website can serve as a starting point for attracting potential residents.

Visit leadershippathway.org to start a conversation about what residency could look like at your church. Plus download the unPredictions Team Playbook for this podcast episode here.

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Mentoring Gen Z Leaders: Insights from Leadership Pathway’s Residency Program with Dave Miller