"Great seminar—this directly addresses the responsibilities and challenges
I face day to day. I’m grateful I found this seminar!" '08 feedback
| Enrollment | Hotel & Location | 40 Workshops | Pay | Attendees | Schedule | Sponsors |
Dr. David Fletcher
Founder & Host
XPastor.org
At the 2009 XP-Seminar in Dallas, we will focus the case studies and keynote addresses on the critical value of "Growing a Great Ministry Staff." Our 40 workshops will cover many other areas of vital need in leading and managing today's church.
From across the U.S. & Canada, people are coming to the XP-Seminar, a two-day seminar centered on leading and managing the church. The Executive Pastor (XP) title is the most common one, but many positions function as an XP—such as COO, Ministry Director or Senior Associate.
The XP-Seminar is not just for XPs, as many Senior Pastors and church leaders come to improve their leadership and management skills. Senior Pastors should read this page devoted to them. This is the only seminar available to grow your executive staff team. With the Senior Pastor track, come as a team!
Hone your work as an XP or prepare to be an XP. Share your church experience and get quality feedback in the discussion sessions. This seminar is an ideal ministry enhancement and resume builder as it gives advanced study on church leadership.
Great Cases and Keynotes
Keynote Address by Bill Hendricks, President of the Giftedness Center. Bill has helped hundreds of people discover their unique giftedness and find the right place in business and the church. With great skill, he helps answer:
- Is this job right for me?
- Is it time for a change?
- Why don't they use me?
- Should I hire this person?
- Is this person management potential?
- How can we hold onto our people? Can our team be more productive?
Bill is a dynamic communicator in person and in print—read his blockbuster article written for XPastor, Good Fit/Poor Fit: How Can You Tell.
Case Study #1: Hiring Practices from Two Pace-Setting Churches with Bill Egner from Christ Chapel of Fort Worth, Texas. Bill has done extensive research on two significant churches in the nation. Both of these churches have influenced hundreds, if not thousands of churches. Whether mentioned in TIME magazine or Christianity Today, with massive positive impact, they have changed the religious landscape in America. One "influencer church" has a highly organized system based on "best business practices." The other "influencer church" has a unique spiritual emphasis in the hiring process (we can't release the church names until his research is completed this fall).
Case Study #2: The Challenges of Explosive Staff Growth with Josh Whithead, XP of Faith Promise Church of Knoxville, Tennessee. Add this up: 30% staff growth for two years, a first time XP and under 30, reorganization and realignment of staff structure and compensation, very casual work environment and strategic use of consultants.
Now 40 Workshops!
As a way to categorize our workshops, we created six tracks. Feel free to "mix and match" workshops from the tracks. You will sign up for your workshop on the first day of the XP-Seminar.
This year will feature the XP-101 Track, Senior Pastor Track, Large Group Forums, Great Staff Track, XP Wives Track and a Vital XP Issues Track. The workshop leaders are an stunning collection of executives in church ministry and they will speak from their areas of expertise. The workshop leaders will talk from "one skilled leader to another." Generally, there are structured presentations (except where noted) and then a group discussion. This is your opportunity to discuss vital areas of your ministry with seasoned leaders. The workshop leaders are both practical and skilled—and they are "in the trenches" doing ministry.
Bring Your Wife!
This year we will have a special, one-day track for XP wives. The $200 rate covers the dessert on Tuesday, February 3 and all day on Wednesday, February 4. At the 2008 XP-Seminar, we had several wives come and they did an informal meeting together (perhaps in the future we will do XP Husbands track …).
Read feedback
We had 110 Church Leaders at the 2005 XP-Seminar, 150 at the 2006 & 2007 Seminars and 200 attendees at the 2008 Seminar. Read feedback from the 2005, 2006, 2007 or 2008 attendees.
I liked the honest transparency of speakers and willingness to share 'trade secrets'
XPastor's Unique Educational Format
Few, if any, seminars are run like the XP-Seminar. Dr. Fletcher has devised and put into practice a 20-20-20 format to maximize education and interaction. With 60 minutes as an example, a 20 minute hard-hitting lecture begins the session with cognitive learning. Then, 20 minutes of small group discussion deepens the learning with participatory learning. Finally, 20 minutes of large group Question & Answers, or an Interview, conclude the session with interactive learning. By using auditory, visual and kinesthetic approaches, the attendee takes away concepts, practical ideas and skills for ministry "back home."
Relationships are built around the table groups as people examine the stated topic. This is an ideal opportunity to honestly evaluate an issue, to present a slice of ministry, and to get feedback from people in similar positions.
- What new ideas can you take home from the case studies, workshops and new colleagues?
- How will the discussion give you new insight into your church?
Grow as you interact with others in similar positions to your own!
Each day, the morning sessions bring a church case study and experienced leaders to challenge our thinking. The case studies present models of ministry from which we derive principles that can be applied to our churches. You won't agree with everything you hear—but you learn a great deal when challenged to think out of "your box."
Each case study will be accompanied by a 10-20 page report, detailing the facts. But the facts tell only part of the story; the in-person dialogue with the principals allows you to ask the pivotal questions that will help your ministry.
I liked David's way of defining terms, probing, acknowledging complexity & interviewing
Afternoon Workshops
Choose from 40 workshops led by distinguished XPs and Church Leaders
Can it get any better than this? A track for new XPs, large group forums, a track for SPs, a track for XP wives, vital topics for XPs and church leaders. All workshops will be posted by August 1. Read more.
Thanks for diving deep into the cases. Great interaction. This has been an amazing resource!
Thank you for your foresight and tenacity for creating XPastor, including this conference.
I look forward to partnering with you for years to come.
More about the Seminar
Existing XPs, Senior Pastors and leading experts address the nature and role of the XP. Our speakers come from churches of different sizes. Nathan Baxter is an XP in a church of 700 and Warren Schuh was an XP of a church of 5,000. Half of those attending the Seminar come from churches with less than 1,400 in worship. Yet, we have had churches of 45,000 in worship. Find your peers here!
This seminar is ideal for new XPs, those desiring an XP position and XPs who want to grow! This is an excellent time to develop deeper relationships with other XPs, the seminar leaders and the special speakers. Where else can an XP and Senior Pastor come and be challenged about church leadership and management?
The Basis of XPastor: The Five Functions
Attend a workshop to 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
So great to be with like-minded people, i.e. Kingdom-minded and familiar with the XP world.
Enrollment—cost includes books, light breakfast & full lunches (not lodging)
Enrolling and paying by
- July 31: Alumni rate, $500 & Early-Bird rate, $525
- August 1 to October 31: $550
- For two or more from the same church: $500 each
- November 1 to January 15: $600
- Late enrollment, January 15 to February 6: $700
- International Rate (now includes Canada!), limited availability: $500
- One-Day Spouse Audit, $200
enroll here
pay here
Hotel & Location
- We will meet at the Hilton Dallas/Park Cities, 5954 Luther Lane, Dallas,Texas 75225
- Enjoy a special rate at the Hilton Dallas/Park Cities. Reserve your room at this special page created by the Hilton Dallas/Park Cities. The special rate will be available until January 14, 2008 or until the group block is sold out, whichever comes first. Guests wishing to arrive early or stay late may do so, based on availability.
- Location, Travel & Weather Information
- Hotel, Local Attractions & Food Information
Other Information
Questions? E-mail Tami
You Will Receive in Workshops & Discussions
- Define the need of the XP:
- Learn how to explain why your church requires an XP.
- Learn the signs of a Senior Pastor nearing burnout.
- See the historical trend in America for the central role of great preaching.
- Define the relationship of the XP and SP:
- Get out of step with your SP and prepare to pack your bags.
- The SP is generally 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?
- Have ongoing reviews of your job description.
- 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?"
- Mentoring before and after the seminar is available for any student who desires it.
- Receive help on preparing your resume.
- Based on relationships and interaction in the small groups and workshops, list leaders as references on your resume.
- Continue mentoring by e-mail and telephone.
- Receive advice on XP issues in your church.
Attendees
- Dave Arnold, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, California
- Dr. Nathan Baxter, XP of Liberty Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Dixie Beard, Director of Business Development with GuideStone Financial Resources, Dallas, Texas
- Andrew Behm, XP of Fellowship Bible Church, Winchester, Virginia
- Todd Bolt, XP, The Crossing Church, Tampa, Florida
- Bob Bonner, Executive Pastor, Bethel Church, Richland, Washington
- Tar-U-Way Bright, Executive Pastor, The Cathedral of Turner Chapel AME Church, Marietta, Georgia
- Duane Britton, SP of DOVE Christian Fellowship-Westgate, Ephrata, Pennsylvania
- Nathan Burns, Executive Pastor, Ridgecrest Baptist Church, Springfield, Missouri
- Mike Buster, XP of Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, Texas
- Stacey Campbell, XP of Christ Community Church, Greeley, Colorado
- Jamye Cappadonna, Executive Pastor, Grace Point Church, San Antonio, Texas
- Mark Carey, SP of Fellowship Bible Church, Winchester, Virginia
- Paul Casey, Executive Pastor, Central United Protestant Church, Richland, Washington
- Joe Casiglia, Executive Director of Faith Lutheran Church, Troy, Michigan
- Bob Cavin, Executive Pastor, Mimosa Lane Church, Mesquite, Texas
- Rob Cizek, Executive Pastor, Northshore Christian Church, Everett, Washington
- Rick Clapp, Executive Pastor, Vanguard Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Howard Clark, Executive Pastor, Christ Church Plano, Plano, Texas
- Alan Clother, Executive Pastor, Abundant Life Church, Happy Valley, Oregon
- Neal Cordle, Minister of Education, First Baptist Church, Brunswick, Georgia
- Roger Dermody, XP of Bel Air Presbyterian Church, Los Angeles, California
- Rob Faulk, XP, The Church at Rocky Peak, Chatsworth, California
- Harry Fritzenschaft, Pastor of Business Administration, The Vineyard Church, Houston, Texas
- Dr. David Fletcher, XP & Founder/Host of XPastor, Grace Covenant Church, Austin, Texas
- Tami Fletcher, Executive Assistant of XPastor, Austin, Texas
- Gary Hahn, Administrative Director of Woodburn Missionary Church, Woodburn, Indiana
- Kirk Horton, XP, Grace Baptist Church, Woodbridge, Virginia
- Frank Johnson, Executive Pastor, First Baptist Church of Woodbridge, Woodbridge, Virginia
- Mike King, Associate Pastor, First Baptist Church, Opelika, Alabama
- Brent Kirkley, Executive Pastor, Grace Bible Church, Laredo, Texas
- Ron Keener, Editor of ChurchExecutive Magazine, Phoenix, Arizona
- Jim Kuykendall, Associate Pastor of Cross Timbers Community Church, Argyle, Texas
- Brad Leeper, Senior Stewardship Strategist with Generis Partners, Atlanta, Georgia
- Steve Liparoto, XP of Calvary Bible Church, Acampo, California
- Gregory Love, Attorney with Love & Norris, Fort Worth, Texas
- David Lyons, Founder and President of MinisterSearch, Lewisville, Texas
- Ryan MacDiarmid, Executive Pastor, Creekside Church, Rocklin, California
- Ron May, Executive Pastor, Wildwood Church, East Moline, Illinois
- Jim McClurg, Executive Director, Bethany Community Church, Seattle, Washington
- Ron McDowell, Senior Regional Manager with GuideStone Financial Resources, Dallas, Texas
- Tom Nealley, Ministry and Mission Director, Crossroads United Methodist Church, Ashburn, Virginia
- Scot Overbey, Executive Pastor, Faith Bible Church, Edmond, Oklahoma
- David Parker, Lead Pastor, Central United Protestant Church, Richland, Washington
- Bruce Rhodes, Administrator, Greenford Christian Church, Greenford, Ohio
- Erich Roehl, Executive Pastor, Neighborhood Church of Redding, Redding, California
- Stephen Ruckel, XP of Kempsville Presbyterian Church, Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Warren Schuh, President of WS Associates, Thousand Oaks, California
- Paul Sewell, Director of Partnership Ministries, Operation Mobilization, Tyrone, Georgia
- Guy Shafer, Executive Pastor, Fellowship of Joy, Grand Praire, Texas
- Clint Smith, Executive Pastor, North Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Nicholas Smith, Assistant Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church, Lindenwold, New Jersey
- Frank Sommerville, Attorney with Weycer, Kaplan, Pulaski & Zuber, Arlington, Texas
- Phil Taylor, XP of Terra Nova Church, Troy, New York
- Randy Tindall, 12Stone Church, Lawrenceville, Georgia
- Jim Tomberlin, Consultant of Third Quarter Consulting, Scottsdale, Arizona
- Philip Turner, Church Administrator of Bethany Baptist Church, Lindenwold, New Jersey
- Joe Ward, Executive Pastor, Walnut Ridge Baptist, Mansfield, Texas
- Dawn Wester, Faith Evangelical Free Church, Austin, Minnesota
- Patrick Wester, Executive Pastor, Faith Evangelical Free Church, Austin, Minnesota
- Rick Wright, Executive Pastor, The Falls Church, Falls Church, Virginia
Sponsors
For the fifth year as a sponsor, thanks to our friends at ChurchExecutive magazine. ChurchExecutive is a monthly how-to business information resource for 20,000 readers, reaching pastors, executive pastors and business administrators of larger and megachurches—throughout the United States.
For the third year as a sponsor, we welcome the Evangelical Christian Credit Union. The Evangelical Christian Credit Union (ECCU) is a trusted banking resource that shares your passion for kingdom impact.
With ECCU's wisdom gained from more than 40 years of experience serving evangelical ministries, we are helping churches in all 50 states increase their effectiveness through biblically based banking, financing, and investing services. Check out some great resources from ECCU:
- Borrowing and the Church
- Data Security
- Essentials of Fundraising for Churches
- Financial Statements Matter
- How to Look Like a Borrower
- Liquidity: How Much Is Enough?
- Renting Versus Buying Your Church's Facility
- When to Build, or Not: Construction Projects Can Make or Break Your Ministry
- When_to_Finance or Not: Is Your Ministry Ready for Debt
- You're a Church Treasurer: Now What?
Fellowship Technologies--information coming soon!
For the fifth year as a sponsor, thanks to our friends at Generis Partners. True giving is a deeply transformative act. At Generis, we believe it's less about raising capital and more about raising the spiritual consciousness of people. It's about meeting churches where they are and helping them achieve their own true vision according to their unique culture. Whether that entails a video venue, multi-campus site, or raising a daunting amount of capital, Generis consultants are ready to share the Leadership's risk—because they understand it. Brad Leeper and his counterpart, Gerald Farley have both served in church leadership roles and have real-life experiences to offer far beyond that of most industry consultants. Check out a great article from Brad Leeper: End-of-Year Giving Communication.
We welcome GuideStone as a sponsor for the third year. GuideStone Financial Resources is one of the leading providers of retirement, life and health, investment management and executive planning services to the evangelical Christian community. Since 1918, we have enhanced the financial security of more than 180,000 individuals and reported over $10 billion in assets as of Dec. 31, 2007. GuideStone offers its clients access to Christian-based, socially-screened investment funds for retirement, endowment and operational assets. GuideStone's insurance products offer rate stability, the largest network of health care providers in the U.S. and a comprehensive suite of plan options providing quality care and protection for our participants and their families. For more information about GuideStone, visit their web site at www.GuideStone.org.
For the fourth year, we welcome Leadership Network as a sponsor. Leadership Network brings together entrepreneurial leaders who are focused on similar ministry initiatives. The ensuing collaboration—often across denominational lines—provides a strong base from which individual leaders can better analyze and refine their individual strategies.
Peer-to-peer interaction, dialogue and sharing inevitably accelerate participants' own innovations and ideas. Leadership Network further enhances this process through the development and distribution of highly targeted ministry tools and resources—including audio and video programs, special reports, e-publications and online downloads. In addition, Leadership Network partners with two important publishers, Jossey-Bass and Zondervan to give leaders access to the thought leadership and best practices of effective 21st century churches.
For the third year, we welcome ServiceU as a sponsor. ServiceU specializes in web-based, event management solutions designed specifically for churches, nonprofits, schools, universities, festivals, and theaters. ServiceU offers three core products, EventU: Scheduling of events and resources by providing an online calendar; TransactU: Online donations, online payments, and online event registrations; and TicketU: Online ticketing and box office management. Founded in 1997, ServiceU is a trusted provider of online event management software to the nonprofit market.
This is my first conference since becoming the XP at our church. Attended an XPastor 'Staffing Workshop' in Phoenix two years ago that helped me make a decision toward an XP pathway. Thanks for your ministry!
Schedule
Tuesday Evening, February 3
| 7:30 | Evening welcome and dessert social in the Beverly Ballroom, sign up for the dessert when enrolling |
Wednesday, February 4
| 8:30 | Registration—Continental Breakfast—coffee, breads & fruit |
| 9:00 |  Welcome by Stacey Campbell, XP of Christ Community Church of Greeley, Colorado. Read Stacey's articles on XPastor:
|
| 9:15 |  Case Study #1: Hiring Practices from Two Pace-Setting Churches with Bill Egner from Christ Chapel of Fort Worth, Texas. Bill has done extensive research on two significant churches in the nation. Both of these churches have influenced hundreds, if not thousands of churches. Whether mentioned in TIME magazine or Christianity Today, with massive positive impact, they have changed the religious landscape in America. One "influencer church" has a highly organized system based on "best business practices." The other "influencer church" has a unique spiritual emphasis in the hiring process (we can't release the church names until his research is completed this fall). |
| 10:30 | Break |
| 10:45 | Keynote Address #1 |
| 11:45 | Break |
| Noon | Lunch Discussion Always a great time at the Seminar! Interactive discussion with Senior & Executive Pastors. 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. |
| 1:15 | Break |
| 1:30 | Workshops: Session #1 (choose from a total of 40 workshops) |
| 3:00 | Break & Afternoon Snack |
| 3:15 | Workshops: Session #2 (choose from a total of 40 workshops) |
| 4:30 | Break for the evening. Take a new or old XP/SP friends to dinner! |
Thursday, February 5
Note the early start and end times today!!!
| 7:00 | Full Breakfast on Church Finances: interviews with two pastors on the current economy and giving, funds for building, cash management, fraud prevention and the benefits of remote deposit capture. Attendance is limited to 100, so sign up for the full breakfast when enrolling. |
| 7:45 | Continental Breakfast—coffee, breads & fruit (for those who missed the full breakfast) |
| 8:00 | 
Case Study #2: The Challenges of Explosive Staff Growth with Josh Whithead, XP of Faith Promise Church of Knoxville, Tennessee. Add this up: 30% staff growth for two years, a first time XP and under 30, reorganization and realignment of staff structure and compensation, very casual work environment and strategic use of consultants. Faith Promise Church has a strong vision and during his three years leading, Faith Promise has almost doubled in weekly attendance to 2800 people. |
| 9:15 | Break |
| 9:30 |  Keynote Address by Bill Hendricks, President of the Giftedness Center. Bill has helped hundreds of people discover their unique giftedness and find the right place in business and the church. With great skill, he helps answer: Is this job right for me? Is it time for a change? Why don't they use me? Should I hire this person? Is this person management potential? How can we hold onto our people? Can our team be more productive? Bill is a dynamic communicator in person and in print—read his blockbuster article written for XPastor, Good Fit/Poor Fit: How Can You Tell. |
| 11:15 | Break |
| 11:30 | In the ballroom on the first floor, we will have lunch with affinity groups, seminar leaders or new friends, catered lunch included in Beverly Ballroom. Or, we have three break-out lunch options this year. Pick up lunch outside the Ballroom, then go the second floor for:
|
| 12:45 | Workshops: Session 3 (choose from a total of 40 workshops) |
| 1:45 | Break |
| 2:00 | Workshops: Session 4 (choose from a total of 40 workshops) |
| 3:00 | Conclusion (early enough for you to catch a flight home) |
enroll here |
pay here |
I’m truly excited about the excellence of this seminar
