Ministry Issues and Policy
Know When and How to Delegate
Church leaders have extraordinary demands on their time. So when it comes to experiencing growth in your church, you have to think differently about how you run it—and it starts with effective delegation. First, [...]
The African American Family and Developing a Diverse Family Ministry
Whatever the ethic background of your church attenders and staff, you want to understand and develop diversity—especially in your family ministry. James Logan has a rich background in business, as a pastor, and as [...]
SBC Churches and Child Sexual Abuse: Reasons for Encouragement and Optimism
Many Baptist leaders and congregation members were discouraged after the release of the Guidepost Solutions Report on May 25th, investigating actions of the SBC Executive Committee related to sexual abuse. The Report focused on [...]
Benevolence Support for a Woman with 4 Children
Hey Fletch ... I am an elder in a church plant. Sadly, a couple who joined our church at the beginning is now in divorce proceedings. The wife and four children attend church faithfully. [...]
He Gets Us
He Gets Us is a campaign designed to create cultural change in the way people think about Jesus and his relevance in our lives. What is “He Gets Us” all about? Our mission is [...]
Life in the Trenches
Current Issues that XPs Face Fletch and Keith Duff will talk on current issues that XPs face. These range from dealing with resignations in the last year, to hiring new staff, to building staff [...]
Church Membership and Discipline
A church leader read XPastor’s article, Why Church Membership, and submitted the following thoughts on the topic. The individual suggests expanding the topic to include church discipline and gives examples from their church. This [...]
Why Church Membership?
Hey Fletch … Why should people become members of a church and what are the tangible benefits of doing so? I need to give people a good reason, other than the spiritual ones, to [...]
Discipleship Process of Fellowship Bible of Topeka
Fellowship Bible Church of Topeka has developed an easy to read discipleship process. It gives the big picture of their discipleship method. It’s a very nice document, while being short and easy to read! Yet it [...]
Developing Female Leaders: Navigate the Minefields and Release the Potential of Women in Your Church
Kadi puts it this way: “What would your church look like if it were to maximize the dormant gifts of the women God has brought there?” That’s a questions that every male and female [...]
Covid-19 Care Response Volunteer Procedures
Fellowship Bible Church of Winchester, Virginia has developed a 12-step procedure for Care Response Volunteers. These volunteers delivery grocery and medicine to those who are unable to travel to a grocery store or pharmacy. Special [...]
Covid-19–A Reasonable Response
As of this writing on March 12, 2020, Covid-19, the disease cause by the Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), is on everyone’s mind. Questions abound, stirred up by a 24•7 media cycle that thrives on catastrophes. There [...]
Important Considerations for Church Benevolence Programs
Many churches have benevolence programs to assist members and others in the community during times of emergency or financial crisis. Situations of need can — and often do — arise unexpectedly. Having a written [...]
Spouse Travel and Expenses
Friday, December 28, 2018 Hey Fletch … Our senior pastor is going to a conference and purchased a ticket for his wife as well. I don’t have any policies regarding spouse expenses. Suggestions? DRF—The bottom [...]
Announcements for Benevolence Offerings
Wednesday, October 24, 2018 Announcements for Benevolence Offerings Hey Fletch … I read the recent “Hey Fletch” column about the benevolence offering for the woman with cancer. I get that donations cannot be earmarked [...]
Pastor’s Wives … An Easy Journey?
Being a pastor’s wife is not an easy journey. She is expected to be nice, perfect and always available to others. Her family is the poster of Christian living (completely unrealistic). And if you’re looking [...]
Teaching Sensitive Topics Policy
XPastor tries to help churches by providing some of the essentials for running a church—items like job descriptions, employment applications, review forms and church policies. Below is the Teaching Sensitive Topics Policy from Trinity Lutheran [...]
Sexual Abuse “Fire Drill”: Put Preparation to the Test
The "Fire Drill" article below has a companion piece, entitled Sexual Abuse Response Planning. After reading this article, refer to the planning form; it’s a valuable framework for discussion/planning a responsive effort to an allegation—even a [...]
Sexual Abuse Response Planning
This planning guide has a companion piece called Sexual Abuse “Fire Drill”: Put Preparation to the Test, an article that give further explanation. The planning guide below should serve as a worksheet after reading the "Fire [...]
Five Keys to Attracting and Keeping Volunteers
Faithful, hard-working volunteers who always have a great attitude are what every volunteer coordinator desires on their team. These folks will show up early and stay late; they offer their talents and serve with excellence. [...]
Boundaries for Youth Leaders
It seems like a regular occurrence that I hear about a youth pastor or a youth leader messing up with a teenager sexually. It is sad, but it is the reality. The reality is simple. [...]
Intellectual Property Policy
XPastor tries to help churches by providing some of the essentials for running a church---items like job descriptions, employment applications, review forms and policies. Below is the Intellectual Property Policy of Christ Community Church [...]
Children’s Ministry Policy
XPastor tries to help churches by providing some of the essentials for running a church---items like job descriptions, employment applications, Review Forms and policies. Below is the Children's Ministry Policy of Old North Church [...]
Children’s Volunteers Policy
XPastor tries to help churches by providing some of the essentials for running a church---items like job descriptions, employment applications, Review Forms and policies. Below is the Children's Volunteers Policy of Old North Church [...]