Our First!
2005 XP-Seminar
January 12-13, Dallas, Texas
"It is great that you are putting on this important training event for executive pastors and senior pastors. This definitely fills a significant 'gap' in training for churches in North America."
Scot Williams, Senior Pastor, Big Valley Grace Community Church, Modesto, California
110 XPs, Senior Pastors & Church Leaders Attended the 2005 XP-Seminar
Dr. David Fletcher
Host of XPastor
Nathan Baxter
Executive Pastor
Liberty Church, Tulsa
David Chavanne
Sr. Executive Pastor for
Dr. Chuck Swindoll
Stonebriar Community Church
Dr. Martin Hawkins
Assistant Pastor and
Elder for Dr. Tony Evans
Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship
Rez Gopez-Sindac
Editor
ChurchExecutive Magazine
Rodney Lara
Minister of Family
overseeing 40 paid staff
and 400 volunteers
Dr. John Reed
Director of D.Min Studies
Senior Professor Emeritus
Dallas Theological Seminary
Steve Roese
Executive Pastor for
Dr. Andy McQuitty
Irving Bible Church
Dr. Andy Seidel
Executive Director
Center for Christian Leadership
Dallas Theological Seminary
Warren Schuh
Executive Pastor
Calvary Community Church
Neil Tomba
Sr. Pastor
Northwest Bible Church
Doug Williams
Church Elder
retired General Contractor
(New Orleans Superdome, et al)
Dr. Jerry Wofford
Professor Emeritus
UT Arlington
Adjunct Professor
Dallas Seminary
This two day seminar centered on leading and managing the church. It was ideal for Executive Pastors, Church Leaders and Senior Pastors. The Executive Pastor title is the most common one, but many positions function as an XP. Senior Pastors and church leaders came to examine the XP role. This is the only seminar available to hone Executive Pastors and Senior Pastors.
Hone your work as an XP or prepare to be an XP. Share your church experience and get quality feedback in the discussion sessions. Currently there are no seminaries or seminars to prepare you to be an XP or enhance your XP role. This seminar was an ideal ministry enhancement and resume builder as it gave advanced study on church leadership. The mornings examined the role of the XP and the afternoons featured case studies of significant XP ministries.
Existing XPs, Senior Pastors, academics and outside speakers addressed the nature and role of the XP. The host was David Fletcher with Nathan Baxter, Warren Schuh, and Neil Tomba. The leaders came from churches of different sizes as Dr. Fletcher is an XP in a church of 2000+. Nathan Baxter is an XP in a church of 500+ and will lead the pivotal discussion sessions for churches of 300-1500. Warren Schuh is an XP of a church of 5000+ and guided the interaction times for XPs of churches with more than 1500 in worship. Neil Tomba, Senior Pastor in a church of 2000+ in worship each Sunday, led the Sr. Pastor track discussions.
This seminar was ideal for new XPs, those desiring an XP position and XPs who wanted to carefully examine the role. This was also an excellent time to develop deeper relationships with other XPs, the seminar leaders and the special speakers. Who has recently asked you about your XP ministry? Where else can an XP and Senior Pastor come and be challenged about church leadership and management?
The Five Functions of Church Leaders and Managers
Define and examine the five functions of an XP, what you need to know to do the job:
- Administrator of resources
- Catalyst for ministry
- Mentor of staff
- Minister in the congregation
- Overseer of church-wide ministry
Afternoons Case Studies
The key to XP-101 is the case study format. After each 40 minute presentation, discussion groups broke out to examine the stated topic with peers. This was an ideal opportunity to honestly evaluate an issue, to present a slice of ministry, to get feedback from people in similar positions.
The afternoon sessions had case studies of churches, skilled leaders challenged discussion of the topics. The case studies presented models of ministry.
- What new ideas can you take home from the case study?
- How will the discussion give you new insight into your church?
- Where can you grow as you interact with others in similar positions to your own?
Define the Role of the XP
Define the need of the XP:
- Learn how to explain why your church requires an XP.
- Learn the signs of an Senior Pastor nearing burnout.
- See the historical trend in America for the central role of great preaching
Define the relationship of the XP and Senior Pastor:
- Get out of step with your Senior Pastor and prepare to pack your bags.
- The Senior Pastor is the one who casts vision, but the XP also has vision. What is the balance?
- Who is the "boss?"
Basics of an XP job description:
- How to write a job description that fits your church policy and polity.
- What should an XP do in your church
- Various readings and books about the position, with assignments that pertain to practical ministry.
- How church size varies the role of the XP: Answer the questions "Is this church too small for an XP?" and "Is this church too big for an XP?" And other topics to applicable to the needs of the attenders.
- Mentoring before and after the seminar is available for any student who desires it.
- Have ongoing reviews your job description.
- Receive help on preparing your resume.
- Based on a relationship, coursework and class interaction, list the instructors as references on your resume.
- Continue mentoring by e-mail and telephone.
- Receive advice on XP issues in your church.
Attendees (Read Feedback)
- Elwin Ahu, New Hope Christian Fellowship O'ahu, Honolulu Hawaii
- Mike Bates, Salem Alliance Church, Salem Oregon
- Nathan Baxter, Liberty Church, Tulsa Oklahoma
- Norman Behymer, Council Road Baptist Church, Bethany Oklahoma
- Glen Blanscet, First Baptist Church, Carrollton Texas
- Tim Bowman, Calvary Church of the Quad Cities, Moline Illinois
- Dan Boyd, LakeRidge United Methodist Church, Lubbock Texas
- Dave Brandolini, Hudson Community Chapel, Hudson Ohio
- Brian Brandt, Grace Community Church, Tyler Texas
- Stan Brasuell, Fellowship of Frisco, Frisco Texas
- Ray Brown, Resurrection Baptist Church, Schertz Texas
- Stacey Campbell, Christ Community Church, Greeley Colorado
- Matthew Carter, The Austin Stone Community Church, Austin Texas
- Mike Cassell, Northwest Bible Church, Dallas Texas
- David Chavanne, Stonebriar Community Church, Frisco Texas
- Duane Cilke, River of Life Church, Kansas City Missouri
- Rick Clapp, Vanguard Church, Colorado Springs Colorado
- Mike Cloud, Fellowship Bible Church Dallas, Dallas Texas
- Tim Cornwell, Cornwall Church, Bellingham Washington
- Ken Demeter, Evangelical Free Church, Turlock California
- Roger Dermody, Bel Air Presbyterian Church, Los Angeles California
- Judd Dickey, Firewheel Church, Richardson Texas
- Lee Ellingson, Church of the Nazarene, Uxbridge Massachusetts
- Bob Feitl, Richland Bible Church, Richland Michigan
- David Fletcher, Northwest Bible Church, Dallas Texas
- Brian Foster, Central Baptist Church, Hixson Tennessee
- Doug Fox, Cornerstone Community Church, Simi Valley California
- Russell Freeman, Resurrection Baptist Church, Schertz Texas
- Roger Gales, Heritage Christian Fellowship, San Clemente California
- Jeff Goodwin, High Desert Church, Victorville California
- Rez Gopez-Sindac, ChurchExecutive Magazine, Phoenix Arizona
- JP Gradone, The Tabernacle, Sarasota Florida
- Earl Grant, Resurrection Baptist Church, Schertz Texas
- Mark Green, Burke Community Church, Burke Virginia
- Gary Gulbranson, Westminster Chapel, Bellevue Washington
- John Grunditz, New Life Evangelical Free Church, Watertown South Dakota
- Ken Harp, Restoration Church, Euless Texas
- Martin Hawkins, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, Dallas Texas
- Larry Helms, Faith Family Church, Victoria Texas
- Brad Hennessy, Bethany Community Church, Seattle Washington
- Vlademir Hernandes, Igreja Batista Cidade Universitaria, Vinhedo Brazil
- Keith Hileman, Trinity Fellowship Church, Richardson Texas
- Brett Inman, Christ Community Church, Tucson Arizona
- Chuck Jamison, Grace Community Church, Tyler Texas
- Mary Jammerman, Woodinville Alliance Church, Woodinville Washington
- Bob Johnson, Chapelwood United Methodist, Houston Texas
- Kerry Jones, Church of the Saviour, Wayne Pennsylvania
- Keith Kline, Lake Arlington Baptist Church, Arlington Texas
- Rick Kneeshaw, Deer Park Alliance Church, Red Deer Alberta Canada
- Jim Kuykendall, Cross Timbers Community Church, Argyle Texas
- Rodney Lara, Northwest Bible Church, Dallas Texas
- Chuck Larsen, Country Bible Church, Blair Nebraska
- Ron Larson, River of Life Church, Kansas City Missouri
- LaMonte Lawson, Mountain View Community Church, Temecula California
- Brad Leeper, Generis Partners, Atlanta Georgia
- Tyler Liljekvist, Ventura First Assembly of God, Ventura California
- Joseph Linn, Redwood Chapel Community Church, Castro Valley California
- David Lyons, MinisterSearch, Lewisville Texas
- John McCartt, Lavon Drive Baptist Church, Garland Texas
- Rod Mitchell, Grace Bible Church, College Station Texas
- Buddy Mizelle, Christ Community Church, Tucson Arizona
- Bill Northrop, South Hills Bible Chapel, McMurray Pennsylvania
- Stuart Norton, Fellowship Bible Church, Conway Arkansas
- Gerry Owen, Springcreek Community Church, Garland Texas
- Burt Palmer, First United Methodist Church, Houston Texas
- Jalli George Papaf, Christian Prayer House Ministries, Ambajipeta, Andhra Pradesh India
- Kevin Peck, The Austin Stone Community Church, Austin Texas
- Walt Pitman, Grace Church Roseville, Roseville Minnesota
- John Reed, Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas Texas
- Glenn Reph, Northshore Baptist Church, Bothell Washington
- Rusty Rice, Oakwood Baptist Church, New Braunfels Texas
- Shay Reyner, Ridgecrest Baptist Church, Durham North Carolina
- James Robeson, San Diego Community Bible Church, San Diego California
- Cordel Robinson, Austin Christian Fellowship, Austin Texas
- Steve Roese, Irving Bible Church, Irving Texas
- Charles Ross, New Bethel AME Church, Lithonia Georgia
- Mike Sanders, Washington Heights Baptist Church, Ogden Utah
- Mark Saunders, Bay Life Church, Brandon Florida
- Rodney Schell, Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas Texas
- Warren Schuh, Calvary Community Church, Westlake Village California
- Jay Scott, Valley Bible Church, Pleasanton California
- Andy Seidel, Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas Texas
- Paul Sewell, Oak Hill Baptist Church, Griffin Georgia
- David Sims, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, Dallas Texas
- Nicholas Smith, Bethany Baptist Church, Lindenwold New Jersey
- Wayne Smith, Dallas Bible Church, Dallas Texas
- Mike Somers, Crossroads Community Church, Camarillo California
- Steve Stewart, Oak Hill Baptist Church, Griffin Georgia
- Frederic Stubbs, Bay Life Church, Brandon Florida
- Steve Swadley, McKinney Fellowship Bible Church, McKinney Texas
- Ward Tanneberg, Westminster Chapel, Bellevue Washington
- Terry Taylor, Family Church, West Monroe Louisiana
- Tommy Thomas, People Management Mid-South, Nashville Tennessee
- Barry Thompson, New Hope Baptist Church, Fayetteville Georgia
- Neil Tomba, Northwest Bible Church, Dallas Texas
- Craig Tuck, East Cooper Baptist Church, Mount Pleasant South Carolina
- Phillip Turner, Bethany Baptist Church, Lindenwold New Jersey
- Paul Utnage, Westlake Bible Church, Austin Texas
- Dominic Verdell, New Life Evangelical Free Church, Watertown South Dakota
- John Wells, Mountain View Community Church, Temecula California
- Harry Whyte, Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church, Waterloo Ontario Canada
- Jerry Wofford, Dallas Theological Seminary, Arlington Texas
- Don Wolfe, New Life Center Foursquare Church, Everett Washington
- Matthew Woodford, Naperville Baptist Church, Naperville Illinois
Sponsors
Thanks to our friends at Generis Partners for being a sponsor of the XP-Seminar. Generis says about itself: True giving is a deeply transformative act. And at Generis, we believe it's less about raising capital and more about raising the spiritual consciousness of a people. When that happens, organizations - and individuals - are free to realize their ultimate purpose and potential. We know because we've witnessed this on a powerful scale. Since 1998, in fact, we've directed more of the top giving campaigns among the nation's churches than anyone else. Also, thanks to the help that Brad Leeper from Generis is giving during the conference. These folks have a great servant spirit - get to know them!
Thanks to ChurchStaffing for being a sponsor and agreeing to publicize XP-101. Thanks for their putting the Seminar on their website with 3000+ visitors a day, 5400+ resumes, 750+ jobs on file and weekly e-mails to thousands of pastors.
XP-Seminar Schedule for 2005
Wednesday, January 12
| 9:00 | Registration Coffee, donuts & fruit |
| 9:30 | Welcome |
| 9:45 | The Five Functions of Leading and Managing the Church by David Fletcher Presentation on "Administrator" & "Catalyst" with Andy Seidel as guest expert on Administration |
| 10:15 | Small Group Discussion: "Administrator" & "Catalyst" |
| 10:45 | Break |
| 11:00 | Presentation on "Mentor," "Minister" & "Overseer" with Jerry Wofford as guest expert on Overseer |
| 11:15 | Small Group Discussion - creation of one line statements of individual strengths within the Five Functions. Make your own XP-I chart & post on wall. |
| 11:45 | Large Group Discussion with Nathan Baxter, Warren Schuh & Neil Tomba - moderated by David Fletcher. Citation of people by strength of Five Functions. |
| Noon | Lunch Discussion Extended interactive discussion led by Sr. Pastor Neil Tomba. Paul Taylor, Senior Pastor of Liberty Church, will join Neil. The morning presented an XP's view of leading and managing, but what does the Senior Pastor desire for the church? Get out of step with your Senior Pastor and prepare to pack your bags. The Senior Pastor is the one who casts vision, but the XP also has vision. What is the balance? Who is the "boss?" Included in the Seminar is this catered lunch by Macaroni Grill. |
| 1:15 | Break |
| 1:30 | Case Study #1: Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship - A Mega-Church without an XP. The case-study method, used by Harvard Business School and many others, has an in-depth study of one or two exemplary "cases" that serve as models for ministry. By comparing and contrasting ministries, effective patterns and practices can be observed. Interactive discussion will allow you the opportunity to share your story and learn from other attendees. These leaders are tough and innovative. You may not "buy" everything you hear, but you will be challenged to think! |
| 1:45 | Small Group Discussion: "My Recommendations to Oak Cliff" |
| 2:15 | Large Group Discussion with Dr. Martin Hawkins, Assistant Pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, led by David Fletcher |
| 2:45 | Break |
| 3:00 | Case Study #2: Liberty Church - The Desire for a Volunteer Driven Church. Interview with Senior Pastor Paul Taylor by David Fletcher |
| 3:15 | Small Group Discussion: "How would I implement change at Liberty?" |
| 3:45 | Large Group Discussion "How the plan was implemented and the role of the XP" with Senior Pastor Paul Taylor & XP Nathan Baxter of Liberty Church, moderated by David Fletcher |
4:15 | Recap of the Day with Nathan Baxter, Warren Schuh & Neil Tomba - moderated by David Fletcher |
4:30 | Break for the evening. You are on your own for dinner and the evening. Suggestion: take an XP to dinner and extend the case-study discussion. |
Thursday, January 13
| 9:00 | Coffee, donuts & fruit |
| 9:30 | Welcome & Review of Wednesday |
| 9:45 | Small Group Discussion "Is it easy to describe your role?" Most XPs say 'no!' Build & enhance your job description. Improve your ability to handle tender topics ... Power in the church: who has it and who wants it? How to use third party resources to objectify the discussion. The XP position: improve how you explain what you do and why you do it. So the Senior Pastor understands your role, but does the governing board or people of the church? Compensation: you may set the salary for others, but who sets yours? Can you articulate your accomplishments? Ministry: what is the balance of personal ministry for the XP? Do you know how to pull back? Enhance your skills at explaining why your church needs an XP. Learn the signs of Senior Pastor burnout. See the historical trend in America for the central role of great preaching. Create the "Wall of Words." |
| 11:00 | Break |
| 11:15 | Large Group Discussion of the role of the XP with Nathan Baxter, Warren Schuh & Neil Tomba, moderated by David Fletcher |
| 11:45 | Break |
| 12:00 | Break-out Lunch: On the first morning of the Seminar you can sign up to meet in small groups with the instructors and facilitators. Or, you can meet with new colleagues from the Seminar. How can I get more education as an XP? By John Reed. XPs of medium sized churches with Nathan Baxter. XPs of mega-churches with Warren Schuh. Senior Pastors and XPs with Neil Tomba. Further discussion of the basics of being an XP with David Fletcher. Serving on a staff under an XP with Rodney Lara. Meet with other XPs & Senior Pastors as desired. Included in the seminar is this box lunch catered by Corner Bakery. |
| 1:15 | Break |
| 1:30 | Case Study #3: The Challenge of the Instant Mega-Church. Introduction of Stonebriar Church & David Chavanne by David Fletcher |
| 1:45 | Small Group Discussion |
| 2:15 | Large Group Discussion with David Chavanne, moderated by David Fletcher |
| 2:45 | Break |
| 3:00 | Case Study #4: Irving Bible Church with Steve Roese |
| 3:30 | Small Group Discussion |
| 4:00 | Large Group Discussion with Steve Roese, moderated by David Fletcher |
| 4:30 | Break |
| 5:30 | Texas Barbeque Dinner and Discussion with Elders of various churches. Does your governing board have Elders, Deacons, Trustees or a Bishop? Regardless of your church polity, the XP needs to interact with the governing board. This dinner will be our opportunity to hear from Elders about their perceptions of the XP role. Included in the Seminar is this dinner catered by Dickeys. |
| 7:00 | Conclusion |
