1,400 Articles from 400 Leaders
Listed from the most recent
What Are the Odds You Will Finish Well?
I read a book in 1999 that posed this question: What are the odds you will finish well? I have never forgotten how it impacted me. I went on to develop a leadership coaching [...]
What is a Reasonable Retirement Package?
Too often, church boards lack the knowledge and experience to create an appropriate retirement package for their senior pastor who has served the church faithfully for many years or even decades. When the topic [...]
Building Before and After
A Picture is Worth 1,000 words These before and after shots tell the story. Churches with adequate facilities become beautiful and functional places for ministry. See the Build Smart page. [...]
5 Lessons I Learned the Hard Way as an Executive Pastor
Stepping into, or leading through, the role of an Executive Pastor can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding positions in ministry leadership. If you're navigating this path, you’re likely familiar with the [...]
Job Descriptions of Care Pastors
XPastor tries to help churches by providing some of the essentials for running a church—items like job descriptions, employment applications, review forms and policies. Below is the Job Descriptions from Southside Nazarene Church of [...]
Job Descriptions of Business Administrators
The following Business Administrator job descriptions have been collected by XPastor over the years. Learn from these examples and incorporate elements as they fit your church style and polity. All have been used by [...]
Job Descriptions of Executive Directors of Ministries
The following Executive Director of Ministries job descriptions have been collected by XPastor over the years. Learn from these examples and incorporate elements as they fit your church style and polity. All have been [...]
Job Descriptions of Elders
The following Elder job descriptions have been collected by XPastor over the years. Learn from these examples and incorporate elements as they fit your church style and polity. All have been used by permission. [...]
Job Descriptions of Executive Pastors
The following Executive Pastor job descriptions have been collected by XPastor over the years. Learn from these examples and incorporate elements as they fit your church style and polity. All have been used by [...]
Job Descriptions of Communication Directors
The following Communication Director job descriptions have been collected by XPastor over the years. Learn from these examples and incorporate elements as they fit your church style and polity. All have been used by [...]
Job Descriptions of Senior Pastors
The following Senior Pastor and Lead Pastor job descriptions have been collected by XPastor over the years. Learn from these examples and incorporate elements as they fit your church style and polity. All have [...]
Mastering the Art of Consistency: Raising Your Habits to Reflect Your Calling
I’m a massive fan of J.S. Bach. Arguably the greatest composer who ever lived, his music fills the room whenever I write. Bach was a man of faith who famously signed each of his [...]
Vetting A Church as a Prospective Staff Member
When considering working for a church, you may have a certain checklist in mind. Often we ask: Do I esteem the lead pastor? What is the staff culture like? Do they provide decent coffee [...]
Fletch & Erika Cole, When to Hire an Executive Pastor
Fletch and Erika Cole did podcast 49 on When to Hire an Executive Pastor. Erika, known as The Church Attorney®, is the creator of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System, a proprietary legal audit process [...]
3 Ways to Budget in an Uncertain Environment
It’s time to prepare your 2025 budget. Unlike most years, we’re in a unique phase in the economic cycle. Interest rates are beginning to fall, financial markets have been volatile, and it’s a presidential [...]
The Conversation Everyone is Having that No One is Talking About
by Stan Endicott and Dave Rhodes The Conversation Everyone is Having that No One is Talking About What might that be? The Answer: People In Your Church Who Are 55+ They are present but [...]
Love Thy Nerd—Nerd Culture Ministry Summit
We live in a world that is growing smaller with every passing second partially due to the rapid growth rate of technology. Communication platforms provided by the likes of Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok [...]
10 Secrets to a Successful Social Media Presence
In today's digital age, social media has become an invaluable tool for churches to connect with their congregation, engage with the wider community and spread their message of faith. With millions of people actively [...]
Church Security, Safety, Medical Response—A Senior Pastor’s Primer
When the Lord opens the door for me to talk, consult, and train with churches, classically I am talking to church administrators, facilities managers, executive pastors, and the staff member or volunteer that is [...]
Leader Care Matters For Your Church
The fall of a leader is one of the greatest financial risks for a church. I’m not referring simply to headline-grabbing moral failures. Certainly, a breach of trust of that magnitude does tend to [...]
How Ego and Blind Spots Hold Churches Back from Fulfilling Their Highest Potential
Churches, face unique challenges in their mission to serve their communities, foster spiritual growth, and maintain operational effectiveness. As an Executive Pastor you play a crucial role in guiding your congregation toward growth and [...]
Merging Churches: Legal and Insurance Considerations
Church mergers are increasingly common, especially with the rise of the multisite model. While mergers can be strategic for growth, they also carry risks. If your board is considering a merger, it's crucial to [...]
6 Tips for Creating a Welcoming Student Space
Starting a new student ministry chapter can be both exciting and intimidating. Whether it’s a youth lobby, small group area, or large program room, creating a welcoming environment is essential to help new students [...]
Ministries Should Embrace Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence is a tool that, if used properly, can advance ministry. There is no doubt that AI has been a significant technological advancement and will continue to revolutionize our lives, with some suggesting [...]