2009 XP-Seminar Workshops
"All three workshops I attended were very relevant and applicable"
| Enrollment | Hotel & Location | 40 Workshops | Pay | Attendees | Schedule | Sponsors |
"The conference was very informative and gave me many items to take away. It will take me a while to digest it all and turn it into an action plan that will help me serve my church"
"The conference was very informative and gave me many items to take away. It will take me a while to digest it all and turn it into an action plan that will help me serve my church"
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
Check back for updates!
"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."
Dr. Nathan Baxter—Mentoring Resources for the XP
XP-101
Nathan, XP of Liberty Church of Tulsa, Oklahoma, will help you as an XP learn the fundamentals of mentoring. In just one hour, you will receive a year’s worth of work. Nathan will help you identify your “big assignments” for developing yourself as a mentor. He will help you formulate a path of personal study and growth by identifying the major areas XPs must refine. He will also be giving a tour of the latest and best mentoring resources available. Read Nathan's bio. Read the 2005 case study on Liberty Church.
Dr. Nathan Baxter—Using the Birkman® Tool to Grow Staff
Thursday breakout lunch
Nathan will discuss how the Birkman Indicator® Tool has helped him grow his staff. He has taken hundred through the Birkman and will share his thoughts a breakout lunches on Thursday. You will be able to see sample reports from the powerful Birkman Indicator® Tool and hear examples of how XPs have used it to revolutionize the leadership culture of their church. Read Nathan's bio. Read the 2005 case study on Liberty Church.
Dr. Nathan Baxter—Forum of Medium-Sized Churches
Large Group Forum
Nathan, XP of Liberty Church of Tulsa, Oklahoma, will lead this open forum. This forum is a regular favorite of every XP-Seminar. Now in its 4th year led by Nathan, this is a terrific time to talk with others of medium-sized churches. "Bring your questions and issues for our discussion."
The great aspect of this forum is that you can meet with XPs from churches in your size range. You can talk through issues that are common to your size of church and develop lasting relationships with other XPs. Read Nathan's bio. Read the 2005 case study on Liberty Church.
"My conversations with Nathan Baxter were great!"
Andrew Behm—From Corporate America to Full-time Ministry
Andrew is the XP of Fellowship Bible of Winchester, Virginia. He led a lunch workshop at the 2008 XP-Seminar and extremely well received. His article, From Corporate America To Full-Time Ministry: My First 6 Months As An Executive Pastor First Year, was also well received by the XPastor community.
Before he became an XP, Andrew came to the 2007 XP-Seminar with his Sr. Pastor. He returned in 2008 as the XP and David interviewed them at the Wednesday lunch.
The transition from corporate America to full-time ministry is filled with challenges and opportunities. Those who enter ministry via the business world have a lot to offer but there is also much to learn. It is important to realize that there are many basic business practices that are utilized by churches. Yet, churches operate in a very unique culture, vastly different from personal experience. The challenge and opportunity is to utilize experience of strategic planning, project implementation and team-building. This needs to be done in such a way that to be an excellent example of efficiency, quality and productivity. And, it must be done in a manner that captures the special character and qualities that define "who we are and what we are called to do" as Ambassadors for Christ.
Duane Britton—What I Need From My XP
Duane is the Sr. Pastor of DOVE Christian Fellowship-Westgate of Ephrata, Pennsylvania.
Information coming soon on this workshop.
Mike Buster—Saving $80,000 in Utility Costs
Vital XP Interests Track
Mike is the XP of Prestonwood Baptist Church of Frisco, Texas. Did you see the Newsweek article about Mike saving $80,000 in utility bills for Prestonwood? It's not every day that an XP makes Newsweek!
We are so pleased to have Mike: this is the workshop that he was unable to present in 2008. This workshop will present practical tips and suggestions on how to cut your utility bill and make your church campus more "green." Keep the "green stuff" in the bank and help the environment too—not a bad combination! Read Mike's bio
XP-101
Stacey is the XP of Christ Community Church of Greeley, Colorado. Catalysts dare to take chances and think differently. "No" is never an answer to a question, only "what if …" Catalyts tend to look at the horizon and plan for the future. They dream of how people and systems and culture can be improved, streamlined and re-imagined.
Everyone is a catalyst to some degree, in some area of their life or ministry! So how do you leverage what you have and grow those areas so you can maximize your influence with leaders, ministries, and your overall church culture? In other words, how do you become a stronger catalyst that enables creativity, innovation, and freedom to occur around you? This workshop will give you the tools to more effectively be the catalyst God designed you to be! Read Stacey's bio and the 2006 case study on Christ Community Church.
Read Stacey's articles on the Catalyst: When a Catalyst is Not a Catalyst, XP’s and Catalytic Converters, 'Disneyesque' Books on Creativity, Get_a_Life and Throw Me a Lifeline!
Mark Carey—The First Years with Your First XP
Mark is the Senior Pastor of Fellowship Bible Church of Winchester, Virginia. Mark came to the 2007 XP-Seminar with an prospect XP. Mark had found his XP candidate from within his congregation and felt confident that Andrew was the right person for the role. He returned for the 2008 XP-Seminar with Andrew as the XP. David took the opportunity to interview them at the Wednesday lunch.
The task of finding the right XP can be challenging! It is even more so when it is the first XP for the Senior Pastor and the church. There are many issues that need to be considered when choosing an XP, such as:
- Is it someone with ministry or corporate experience?
- Are they from within or outside your church?
- What is their Spiritual Gift make-up?
But the most important factor that needs to be determined is if the personalities of the Senior Pastor and XP are compatible. If the personalities are in conflict, it can be disastrous. But if they are compatible, it can be extremely productive and beneficial for the partnership as well as the church. It is important to remember that potential can be developed and skills can be refined but a harmonious relationship is the foundation to success. This workshop is a great time to talk about what traits make an XP and SP compatible.
Rob Cizek—How to Have Difficult Conversations
Great Staff Track
Rob is the Executive Pastor of Northshore Community Church of Everett, Washington.
Tough conversations. Nothing defines a leader quite like his or her ability to have the difficult talk. Handle tough situations well and watch your leadership capital increase. Handle them poorly and you may soon be out the door. Few things are more risky and problematic. However, tough conversations also present a powerful opportunity for growth and discipleship. In this session we'll explore the best practices for having difficult talks … conversations that result in positive outcomes for the staff members you lead.
Check out Rob's articles on XPastor:
Information is forth coming.
Great Staff Track
Roger is the XP of Bel Air Presbyterian Church of Los Angeles, California. At the 2008 XP-Seminar, Roger and his Senior Pastor, Dr. Mark Brewer, were our featured guests on Sabbaticals. Read the Sabbatical case study and related sabbatical policies from various churches. Roger was enthusiastically received in 2008. This is a great opportunity to follow-up on this vital topic
Bill Egner—Hiring Practices from Two Pace-Setting Churches
Great Staff Track
Bill is the XP of Christ Chapel in Fort Worth, Texas. His case study will be featured in the morning. He 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).
This afternoon workshop is designed for those who desire to go deeper into the case, to discuss the issues at length with the author. What is your hiring practices? Which of these "influencer churches" are you more like? Bring your questions for an intriguing session to discuss how pace-setting churches hire staff.
Bob Feitl—3 Keys to a Successful Building Project
Vital XP Interests Track
Bob, XP of Richland Bible Church of Richland, Michigan, asks "Thinking about a building project? …already started one?" This workshop will give you practical tools and strategic principles that you can begin to use next week. Taught by an XP with 20 years of experience as an architect and construction manager, this session will focus on how to set up, organize and empower your team to get the building you need on time and within budget. Read Bob's bio.
Bob Feitl—Aligning XP Title, Job & Expectations
XP-101
Bob, XP of Richland Bible Church of Richland, Michigan, asks, "So, you are new to the role, it’s not quite what you expected and you’re trying to figure out how to make sense of it." You need to balance leadership with managing, administration with pastoring, your Senior Pastor’s expectations with yours and everyone else’s … and have a job description that reflects that well. Facilitated by an XP with 20 years experience in three churches of 1,500 to 4,500; together we will hammer out ways to bring clarity and understanding to this job that often requires more finesse and balance than any other on the team. Read Bob's bio.
Dr. David Fletcher—The 5 Functions of an XP
XP-101
David, Founder & Host of XPastor, and XP of Grace Covenant Church of Austin, Texas will cover the basics of the 5 Functions. Every XP is strong in certain areas, do you know your leadership strengths? From David's research of hundreds of XPs, he developed the 5 Functions.
There are 5 Functions to leading and managing a church—Administrator, Catalyst, Mentor, Minister and Overseeer. To get a handle on the 5 Functions, more than 1600 people have taken David's free XP-Indicator. This workshop is foundational for new XPs and those who want to review the basics of what an XP needs. Read David's bio.
"5 functions—would be very effective as a break-out small group with new XPs"
Dr. David Fletcher—The SP & XP Relationship
Senior Pastor Track
David, Founder & Host of XPastor, and XP of Grace Covenant Church of Austin, Texas will lead this workshop for SPs & XPs. "We will discuss the hallmarks of great working relationships." David has worked as an XP in two churches and seen the dynamics of great SP-XP relationships. This roundtable discussion is specifically designed for SPs and will come from the perspective of an XP.
The Senior Pastor Track is an opportunity for SPs to examine and discuss leadership and management issues in the church. Considering an XP? Have a great XP or need to hone a relationship? Then this track will give you the chance to hear from established leaders, hear from peers and introduce your own ideas and questions.
David teaches doctoral classes at Dallas Theological Seminary and chairs the Doctor of Ministry department at the Evangelical Theological Seminary of India. This puts him in touch with leaders throughout the United States and the rest of the world. Be prepared to look at "macro" and "mega-cultural" issues that are changing the church—and how SPs and XPs together can be effective in reaching the world. Read David's bio.
Brad Leeper—Resourcing Ministry in the Midst of a Recession
Vital XP Interests Track
Brad is a Senior Strategist of Generis Partners. Based on experience and affinity, Brad is drawn to innovative, growing churches and the challenges of helping them expand practically and spiritually. As a Generis Senior Strategist, he is well served by his experience as a consultant to churches across the nation, a staff leader in resource development for local ministries, a Campus Director for Campus Crusade for Christ, and his role as church elder in his own 4,000-member home church, Perimeter Church in Atlanta.
This workshop has received high marks in previous XP-Seminars. If you are going to be building soon, then you will need to know how to raise funds for the construction! Read Brad's bio.
"Fundraising workshop was so helpful!"
Steven Liparoto—How to Draw the Best out of Others
Great Staff Track
Steven is the XP of Calvary Bible Church of Lodi, California and will be the guide for this workshop. In today’s fast paced, complex cultural environment, leaders are asked to solve unique challenges that require a different approach and set of skills then ever before.
One of those skills is how to build a team of leaders, gaining their full participation, their best thinking and their complete engagement at high levels of commitment to achieving the mission and vision of the church they serve. In this workshop attendees will gain the knowledge to begin developing a dynamic leadership team of ministry leaders who will reach the next generation for Christ.
Gregory Love—Preventing Child Sexual Abuse at Your Church
Thursday breakout lunch
Information coming.
David Lyons—Hiring: What is Fit and Gifting?”
Great Staff Track
David is the Founder and President of MinisterSearch. While placing hundreds of people into ministry positions, David has seen the centrality of fit and gifting. Is one more important than the other? Can we compromise because "we know that person," or "he or she is an insider" or "their gifts are just so strong that we… "
If you are going to hire staff in the next 12 months, then this workshop with David will help you. He has led workshops at each of the previous XP-Seminars, to rave reviews. Bring your questions for the discussion portion of the workshop as well. Read David's bio.
"The breakout session with David Lyons on Staffing was tremendous"
Dan Reiland—Making the Most of Your Leadership Profile
Great Staff Track
Dan is the Executive Pastor of 12Stone church and writes "The Pastor's Coach" which is distributed to over 60,000 subscribers, www.injoy.com.
This workshop takes an honest look at the differing profiles of local church leaders including non-leader, learned-leader, natural leader and born leader. Covering the aspects for each of these profiles we integrate characteristics, strengths, challenges and application for growth. The big idea is to "know thyself" as a leader and therefore tap into your potential to become a better leader. This workshop will deliver a practical tool that you can take home and work with your staff and key leaders as you develop them toward their potential.
Steve Ruckel—Administrative Leadership in a Missional Context
Vital XP Interests Track
Steve is the Executive Director of Kempsville Presbyterian Church (EPC) of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Steve believes that the XP has unique power to help transform the church using strategic administrative leadership. In harmony with the overall direction of the Senior Pastor’s vision, and XP can help move a church from maintenance mode to missional.
Steve will share how his church is responding to their desire to move from making members more comfortable to becoming more missional and Christ-like. We will examine the impact of the missional movement and two provocative books, Rainer and Geiger’s Simple Church and Willow Creek XP, Greg Hawkins’, Reveal on the metrics, budget, discipleship process, and organizational structure of the church moving toward missional behavior.
Warren Schuh—Large Church Forum
Large Church Forum
Warren has served as an XP in two churches and in several leadership roles in non-profit organizations (such as Leadership Network). From his experiences, contacts around the country and gifts, he is ideal for leading roundtable discussions. This forum is a regular favorite of every XP-Seminar. Now in its 4th year, this is a terrific time to talk with others from large churches. Bring your questions and we will set the agenda for our time together. Read Warren's bio.
"Warren’s morning session was fantastic"
"Warren's large church forum was what I needed"
Warren Schuh—Governance for SPs & XPs
Senior Pastor Track
Warren has served as an XP in two churches and in several leadership roles in non-profit organizations (such as Leadership Network). From his experiences, contacts around the country and gifts, he is ideal for leading roundtable discussions.
The Senior Pastor Track is an opportunity for SPs to examine and discuss leadership and management issues in the church. Considering an XP? Have a great XP or need to hone a relationship? Then this track will give you the chance to hear from established leaders, hear from peers and introduce your own ideas and questions. Read Warren's bio.
Paul Sewell—Knowing When it is Time to Leave
Great Staff Track
Paul is just leaving at the XP of Oak Hill Bpatist Church in Griffin, Georgia. Why? How do you know when it is time for you to leave?
Paul’s life was transformed by Christ at Oak Hill Church of Griffin, Georgia. He stepped out of engineering and became Oak Hill’s first XP. He anticipated a long career of serving the church that impacted his life. Yet after five years, Paul knew that it was time to leave. Why? How do you know when it is time to leave? What indicators can you look for? How does God’s “calling” fit into the decision? Where do you go from here?
By the way, you can read about the rebranding process that Paul lead at Oak Hill in David's two articles on branding and image (see the Articles page). Paul is a dynamic leader and always a favorite at XPastor events.
Paul Sewell—Personally Engaging in Christ’s Mission
XP Vital Issues Track
Paul is just leaving at the XP of Oak Hill Bpatist Church in Griffin, Georgia. Why? Because he took his person engagement in Christ's misison to another level.
While XP at Oak Hill Church of Griffin, Georgia, Paul personally engaged in Christ’s Mission. He and Oak Hill were not satisfied to just write a check and offer up a prayer for missions. By personally engaging in Christ’s Mission, the church was transformed. How can your church go from supporting missions to personal engagement? What are the key principles? What is the leadership structure? How does the XP navigate the obstacles?
Nicholas Smith—The Biblical Basis of the XP
XP-101
Nicholas, the XP of Bethany Baptist Church of Lindenwold, New Jersey, will share the biblical basis of the XP as revealed through the Scriptures. While the term "XP" is not seen in the Bible, the role and its work are seen. From Joseph to Elisha, the role is shown. This workshop will focus on the biblical work and calling of the XP. Some XP’s are meant for the 2nd position, while for others it’s a transition period to the Senior Pastor role. Whether the calling is to Senior Pastor or like Joseph remaining a 2nd chair leader, this workshop will be beneficial. Though young, Nicholas is a strong XP in a church of 18,000 members. Read Nicholas' bio. Read the 2006 case study on Bethany Baptist.
Frank Sommerville—Legal Issues in the Church
Vital XP Interests Track
Frank is a nationally noted attorney, author and a CPA. This is a roundtable discussion on the current and pressing legal issues in your church. Bring your questions and issues!
Frank led a legal roundtable at the 2007 XP-Seminar and received high marks from the participants. This is a prime opportunity to discuss your issues with a nationally noted attorney. Read Frank's bio.
"Frank Sommerville always does a great job—the legal issues small group was very good"
"Frank started by asking us what we wanted to discuss so that he met our needs.
Caused me to rethink many areas."
Phil Taylor—Church Planting & the XP
Vital XP Interests Track
Phil is the XP of Terra Nova Church, a church plant in Troy, New York. Read about his "Climbing Down the Ladder" and "Letters from the Front Lines of Church Planting. Whenever possible, Phil attempts to promote and serve the XP community within the Acts 29 Church Planting Network of which he is a member. Phil will lead this session with assistance from other pastors involved in church planting.
Phil describes the workshop: "There are a growing number of Lead Pastors in church plants that are recognizing the need to partner with an Executive Pastor or someone with those skills. The XP in a church plant functions differently than in a larger, more established setting. This is due to a number of factors such as the initial size of the church, the entrepreneurial nature of church planting, the total lack of pre-existing systems, an undefined church culture, little or no staff and volunteers who almost all need extensive training. In addition, a church plant is a moving target. You build a system that works for your core group of 50, then you launch, grow to a 100 and your system is shot. So you build a new system and a year later you’ve doubled or tripled again, and the systems need to be trashed and rewritten. All of this happens with hardly any money and a staff of volunteers who are still a little fuzzy on the vision. Welcome to the world of church planting! Come to the workshop to discuss these and other issues related to the church planting XP.”
Also, Phil will be hosting a church planters meet and greet party at The Old Monk during the conference. Email him to receive an invite with all the details, phil@terranovachurch.org
Jim Tomberlin and Jim Kuykendall:
Multi-Sightings—What's on the Horizon?
Vital XP Interests Track
Currently over 2,000 churches across America have multiple venues or campuses with 30,000 predicted in a few short years. The strength of the multi-site strategy lies in its ability to adapt, innovate, develop, and replicate in any situation regardless of church size.
This workshop will look at the breakthrough ideas and best practices that are propelling the multi-site movement forward and just might work in your church. Led by multi-site pioneers Jim Tomberlin of Third Quarter Consulting and Jim Kuykendall of Cross Timbers Church in Argyle, Texas. Read the case study about Cross Timbers.
Thursday Lunch—An XP Involved in the PEACE Plan
Joe Ward is the XP of Executive Pastor, Walnut Ridge Baptist of Mansfield, Texas. Joe has become passionate about the P.E.A.C.E. Coalition. Read about the P.E.A.C.E. Plan.
"I am working with Dave Arnold in the DFW area to try to engage business people and church leaders to get this coalition going. The colition desires to bring together one billion Christians to "attack the five global, evil giants of our day." It's great when an XP is passionate about direct ministry!
Joe is bringing the Director of the P.E.A.C.E. Coalition, Dave Arnold. He is the former XP of Saddleback.
Also read Joe's articles:
Josh Whitehead—The Challenges of Explosive Staff Growth
Great Staff Track
Josh is the XP of Faith Promise Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. His case study will be featured in the morning. 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.
This afternoon workshop is designed for those who desire to go deeper into the case, to discuss the issues at length with the author. Bring your questions for an intriguing session to discuss how Faith Promise Church has met the challenge of explosive growth.
