Articles on the New XP
So, you’re new to the XP role. Welcome to the front row of ministry! Your job is a position of power, influence and, at times, the one to take the criticism and hard conversations. Take comfort in knowing that many have walked this road before you. They have documented their thoughts and learnings in the form of articles, posted here … so that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel!
Three Items I Learned at the XP-Seminar that Worried Me
For the last few years, I have spoken at the XP-Seminar, except for the Snow-Covid Seminar a few years ago. The seminar is one of my few live speaking gigs every year. David and [...]
2 Temptations Church Leaders Face When Visiting Other Churches
Taking time to visit other churches in your area or across the country is a great way to grow in your leadership. I love seeing a church in action and I always come away [...]
Bring Your Questions: Get answers and try to stump the chumps
Get answers and try to stump the chumps Once a year we do an open question time. This is your opportunity to bring any church question. Ask anonymously as no names or locations are [...]
Pastoral Heart vs. Business Brain
Balancing Giftedness in the XP role Nick Smith is an XP with a huge Pastoral Heart. He exudes warmth and compassion with plenty of biblical wisdom. How does Nick balance his gifts with the [...]
Surprise Findings in the XP Survey
What We Expected & What We Found Let’s look at seven surprises that will give encouragement, challenge, and ideas to ponder as we move forward in this uncertain season. Jesus often used in his [...]
Keeping Your Mind Alive While in Ministry
How do you as a church leader stretch yourself and stay fresh? Pastors must engage their minds in creative, fun and dynamic reading. As important as physical exercise, mental exercise excites intellectual curiosity. By [...]
Ed Stetzer on a New Cohort for Executive Pastors
Leading the School of Mission, Ministry, and Leadership at Wheaton College is a great joy. We’ve seen our program grow exponentially, and the current pandemic has not slowed us down. One of the advantages [...]
3 Ways Intentional Coaching Helps Executive Pastors
Like it or not, Executive Pastors are coaches. You can embrace your role as a coach and improve your effectiveness by coaching your team. I’ll admit it. The word coach used to make me [...]
The SP-XP Relationship & Transition
Bishop David Evans is the Senior Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church, Lindenwold, New Jersey. Nicholas Smith is his Executive Pastor. Twenty years ago, Bishop Evans named Nicholas as his designated successor. Their long time relationship [...]
Seven Common Pitfalls Every Pastor Should Avoid in a New Church Role
A quaint story circulated among Methodists describes a young pastor, fresh out of seminary, who had just begun his first pastorate. As he drove up to the small church, he noticed an old tree blocking [...]
To Co-Lead or Not to Co-Lead?
Shared leadership at the helm of any organization, especially the ever-growing model of co-lead pastors in a church, can be a huge blessing when successful. However, it has the potential to be quite catastrophic [...]
Church Problems and a Senior Pastor Candidate
Hey Fletch … We have some serious problems at the church and are also interviewing a senior pastor candidate. Should we tell the candidate about our big issues before or after he has accepted a [...]
Shooting for the Top … Almost
I believe in the Executive Pastor position to my core. There is tremendous value that an Executive Pastor can offer a church. God has been preparing me for this role my entire life and [...]
Value of Courses
Monday, February 25, 2019 Hey Fletch … I am super excited to take your courses on XPastor! I am a worship pastor of 30 years who is looking to make a change in leadership. Is [...]
New XP and Coaching
Friday, February 22, 2019 Hey Fletch … I am a new executive pastor at our church and recently took over this position. I have been a youth and family pastor for many years. I [...]
Residency Program for XPs?
Friday, February 15, 2019 Hey Fletch … I read the Hey Fletch column of January 28 and was intrigued about the potential of a residency program. I’d love to be in one to learn how [...]
Is There Still Room for Me at the XP-Seminar?
Saturday, January 26, 2019 Hey Fletch … I have done an excellent job of procrastinating and haven’t enrolled in the XP-Seminar. Do you have room for one more? DRF—You are cutting it close, so very [...]
Wife Sees Me Differently Than I See Myself
Hey Fletch … I have taken the XP-Indicator on XPastor. The results really seemed to fit me. I like it so much that I paid for my wife to also take it on how she [...]
Networking with other XPs
Thursday, January 17, 2019 Hey Fletch … I’m feeling a little dry and out of contact with other XPs. What can you suggest to help me get connected with people leading churches of a [...]
Which of the 30 Workshops Is Best for Me?
Thursday, January 10, 2019 Hey Fletch … I see that you are having over 30 workshops at the XP-Seminar. I’m already enrolled and am excited to be back. Give me some insight on which ones [...]
Business vs Spiritual Side of Church Leadership
Thursday, January 3, 2019 Hey Fletch … I’m a new XP and struggling with this dichotomy of business and spiritual aspects of what I do. The rest of the pastors get to focus on ministry [...]
Leading a Church Staff is Like Herding Cats
Thursday, December 20, 2018 Hey Fletch … I’m about to become the XP in our church. I’ve never had a church position before and several people tell me it is like herding cats. Really? DRF—Popular [...]
For-Profit Background
Wednesday, December 19, 2018 Hey Fletch … A friend referred me to you. I’m currently working as a CFO of a church but that is coming to an end soon. I have lots of [...]
Start-up Manual for New XP?
Thursday, December 13, 2018 Hey Fletch … I was an XP over 20 years ago in a startup role when two churches merged. It has about 1,400 attenders. Since then I’ve been teaching in [...]