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!
The Origin of Executive Pastors
Bob Buford passed away recently. If you’re younger than about 40, it’s possible you’ve never heard of Bob Buford. But if you’re an executive pastor of any age, you owe your position to Bob [...]
Torn Between Senior Pastor and Executive Pastor Roles
Friday, April 27, 2018 Hey Fletch … Hi again! Been a couple years. Followed your advice. Finished my MBA. Started and currently running my own business. And this year began taking night courses for [...]
‘You Don’t Matter’ said the Senior Pastor
Thursday, April 26, 2018 Hey Fletch … I’m demoralized and ashamed to repeat what my Preaching Pastor said to me. In front of one of my staff, he said, “You don’t matter. People won’t [...]
Mentally Unchallenged
Wednesday, April 25, 2018 Hey Fletch … I’ve been a pastor for 15 years and I’m mentally dying. I’m at a place of intellectual stagnation. What can I do to get out of my [...]
Business Guy Doesn’t Know Church
Saturday, April 21, 2018 Hey Fletch … We hired an XP about a year ago and he is killing us. He is gruff, direct and all business. He doesn’t get what it means to [...]
Coaching for New XPs
Friday, March 30, 2018 Hey Fletch … I've heard you might provide coaching for new XPs. If that's the case, how do you structure the coaching experience and how much does it cost? DRF—Great [...]
Transition to Ministry after 30 Years in Government Service
Thursday, March 29, 2018 Hey Fletch … Good morning! I am searching for a church that has leadership development as its culture and focus. I just finished a seminary degree in Virginia Beach, VA [...]
Two XPs in Our Church
Monday, March 26, 2018 Hey Fletch … I'm trying to research churches that have a double XP organization. We are thinking of an XP of Operations and an XP of Ministries. We currently have [...]
Senior Pastor Constantly Bringing Change
Wednesday, March 14, 2018 Hey Fletch … I have a senior pastor who is constantly bringing change to the church. One week it is a new way to do small groups, and he did [...]
Executive Pastor as Dr. No
Tuesday, February 27, 2018 Hey Fletch … one of the challenges that I face as Executive Pastor is that everyone is pitching things to me. I feel like I’m “Dr. No.” There are tons [...]
Should the SP & XP Both Report to the Board
Monday, February 26, 2018 Hey Fletch … Have been an XP for nearly 20 years and I’m curious on your thoughts on organizational structure of the SP/XP positions. I've twice been in the “2nd [...]
SP is Ready for an XP
Friday, February 23, 2018 Hey Fletch … 21 years ago God gave me the privilege of leading a team to plant our church. Thank you for your ministry to XPs around the world. We [...]
Church Grows from 300 to 2,000 in 5 Years
February 17, 2018 Hey David … We have grown from 300 to 2,000 in less than 5 years. Our original Executive Pastor job description was for a smaller church. What do you have as [...]
Who Needs an XP?
January 26, 2018 Hey Fletch … What is the best way to convince a strong Senior Pastor of the necessity for creating an XP role at the church? DRF—The answer is “complexity.” Strong Senior [...]
The Changing Face of the Executive Pastor Role
A longtime XP discusses what is changing for a position once limited to large churches, an interview with David Fletcher by Matthew Branaugh ... You have served as a pastor for more than 35 [...]
Modern Day Matthews—Transitioning from the Marketplace into Ministry
“You are destroying the church I love!” “You are not a godly man and I hate you!” “Sometimes I do not understand the way you think!” “You are making my church too corporate!” After you [...]
From Business Executive to Executive Pastor
A variety of paths can lead to the role of executive pastor (or executive director) in a church. One of the most common is the businessperson who is already a volunteer leader in the [...]
Clarifying the XP Role
“And all other duties as may be assigned.” This is commonly the last line in a job description, but the practical reality for many second chair leaders is that this is their first responsibility. [...]
Organizing Selectively
“To organize or not to organize? That is the question.” While this may be a bad take-off on Shakespeare, it’s a key issue for second chair leaders. One possible response to this question is, “Don’t bother [...]
The Seven Essential Attributes of Exceptional Executive Pastors
Having an excellent Executive Pastor can dramatically increase the health and growth of a church. Similar to the relationship between a COO and a CEO, an Executive Pastor oversees all administrative and operational aspects of [...]
Book Excerpt: Defining the Executive Pastor Role
Throughout my years in the Executive Pastor role, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know many of my peers in ministry. At the risk of oversimplification, I have noticed that most XPs (shorthand for [...]
Leadership Challenges of Leaders in Industry and the Church
Throughout my many years of ministry, I have had the opportunity to coach executives of Fortune 500 companies and church leaders. My vantage point is fascinating; I enjoy the challenge of identifying best practices that [...]
The New Leader’s 100-Day Action Plan
The New Leader’s 100-Day Action Plan: How to Take Charge, Build Your Team, and Get Immediate Results, written by George Bradt, Jayme Check and Jorge Pedraza, is a book about helping executives succeed in [...]
Five Lessons I’ve Learned in My First Eighteen Months as XP
As was mentioned in the title, I’ve learned five lessons during my first eighteen months as an Executive Pastor. In order to provide some context, I will briefly state my ministry experience. My background has [...]