XP or Church Administrator?
The 5 Functions Show the Difference
The Executive Pastor
The Church Administrator
An examination of hundred of responses to the XP-I has documented some of the differences between Executive Pastors and Church Administrators. Many churches church may have both of these positions—my church does.
The Five Functions helps us consider the uniqueness of each role. As the XP-Indicator charts illustrate, both XPs and Church Administrators are gifted as Administrators and Mentors. Generally, Church Administrators are slightly stronger in the Administrator function (common sense, right?). Both roles manage the business needs of the church. The XP is a very strong Mentor, but Church Administrators do some developing and coaching of staff.
The XPs are strong Catalysts and Overseers. The Catalyst function stirs up ministries and instills a “church ethos.” As an Overseer, the XP leads the church to be in alignment with the vision of the governing board and Senior Pastor. Church Administrators have minimal, if any, Catalyst and Overseer roles.
XPs generally invest a small percentage of their time as Ministers in counseling, teaching, weddings & funerals. Church Administrators have even less direct ministry.
The free XP-Indicator helps people visualize their gifts and objectively talk about their roles. Are you an XP or a Church Administrator? In larger churches, both can be necessary to handle the management and leadership needed in God's work.
