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XP-Day
August 24, 2004

9:30am	David Fletcher Moderator Introductions and setting the course for the day For each hour-long session, we will have an XP share from an area of expertise for 20 to 30 minutes. This will be followed by 30 to 40 minutes of discussion. This is a "safe place" to share success and struggles. Active participation in discussion is a must. XP-Days brings together a few XPs to talk about relevant issues. We do not examine monotonous programs or extol the size of our churches. We hone our skills through life on life discussion. The Dallas based National XP-Days are open to anyone with XP function in their ministry. By drawing ministers from around the nation, these discussions challenge cultural perspectives and promote a broad understanding of the XP. National XP-Days are led by Dr. Fletcher. National XP-Days are limited to 10 XP to foster close discussion on pertinent XP topics. Attendees may bring one member of their church as a guest. Authentic interaction is key. Don't bring pride about the size of your church or pretense in the extent of your ministry. XP-Day schedules follow the format of three presentations by XPs on core issues. Lunch features a Senior Pastor discussing the working relationship with an XP. Two sessions are left open-ended, enabling each participant to bring questions for the group to examine.
10:00 am	Nathan Baxter Mix it Man for Volunteer & Paid Staff The XP as Mentor We all have an idea that the XP mentors paid staff, but how about utilizing and empowering volunteer staff? There are churches that are not hiring more staff but are having volunteers lead ministry areas. This is not just volunteers leading volunteers, but volunteers leading paid staff. Hmmm ... is this coffee too strong for me? Would it ever work in my church? Some are skeptical and others are doing it. This area will be introduced by Nathan Baxter, XP at Liberty Church in Tulsa Oklahoma. Nathan has effectively meshed volunteers and paid staff. Should be a juicy discussion! Mentors often: Evaluate job descriptions for all staff Exhort staff as deemed necessary Hire and terminate staff Mentor key staff Recruit staff Run staff meeting and retreats Supervise all staff Work as the Chief of Staff
11:00 am	Steve Roese Amazing Catalyst in disguise as a stern person The XP as Catalyst The Catalyst function invigorates existing ministry or begins new ones. The Catalyst empowers members to be involved in ministry, often asking: "Who is on the bus and who is in the right seat?" This area will be introduced by Steve Roese, XP at Irving Bible Church, Irving Texas. Steve is an amazing catalyst! Catalysts often ... Start new ministries Challenge people to improve Create a strategic plan Empower members to be involved Encourage folks to volunteer Envision future ministry Equip members for ministry Light fires to instigate change Motivate people to get involved Network ministries to enhance effectiveness
Lunch	Neil Tomba - Senior Pastor - loves to preach, lead and cast vision "Who is who and what is what?" Discussion with Neil Tomba, Sr. Pastor of Northwest Bible Church: "What is the relationship between the XP and SP?" Catered lunch by Macaroni Grill.
1:00 pm	Dominic Verdell The new kid on the XP block Getting Started & "Re-Started" as an XP Ken Blanchard states on his company website that: "For over 22, years Blanchard has been assisting organizations like yours with reinventing and renewing themselves for the future. Our products and processes have been utilized by organizations around the world to transform performance and productivity at every level. We know that individual and organizational excellence is not attained through a one-time event but through a continuous learning process. It must be linked to specific business objectives and measurable individual performance improvement." What do I need to do to reinvent and renew me in my role as an XP? How can I learn from the new kid on the block? This area will be introduced by Dominic Verdell, the newly minted XP at New Life Evangelical Free Church of Watertown, South Dakota.
2:00 pm	This topic will be set by the attendees.
3:00 pm	This topic will be set by the attendees.
4:00 pm	Open discussion and conclusion

Attendees

• Nathan Baxter, Liberty Church, Tulsa Oklahoma, with guest Dave Jewitt of "Your One Degree"
• Mike Bickley, Olathe Bible Church, Olathe Kansas
• Page Cole, First Baptist Church, Owasso Oklahoma
• David Fletcher, Northwest Bible Church, Dallas Texas with guest Lee Riffe
• Rod Mitchell, Grace Bible Church, College Station Texas
• Stuart Norton, Fellowship Bible Church, Conway Arkansas
• Steve Roese, Irving Bible Church, Irving Texas
• Wayne Smith, Dallas Bible Church, Dallas Texas
• Neil Tomba, Northwest Bible Church, Dallas Texas with guest Tom O'Dwyer
• Dominic Verdell, New Life Evangelical Free Church, Watertown South Dakota
• Joe M. Ward, Walnut Ridge Baptist Church, Mansfield Texas

The attendees speak their mind

XP-Day Concept

• "I had an incredible time, and I want to say thank you to you again for the dream, the work and the time it took to pull the XP Day together! I can't wait to visit with my pastor and get signed up for the conference in January."
• "I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the other guys and networking with them. Again, I thought the XP-DAY was great!"
• "The meeting was excellent. I was really ministered to yesterday. I am asking God to multiply your time for what you gave us to bless all of us."
• "I took home just a ton of practical application of how to best serve the Lord, my pastor and my church in this new role It was one of the most beneficial and practical conference/symposiums I've ever attended."

Format

• "The format was perfect- small group, presentation followed by discussion, Q & A time at the end - I wouldn't change a thing about the format It was also a great mix of guys Finally, I needed the encouragement and to have my perspectives, my horizons broadened."
• "I enjoyed most the opportunity for everyone to participate. The size of the group was helpful and added to an atmosphere of sharing. It was a good barometer for me to get a feel for where I was at."
• "The day was definitely worth my time! I like the format informal and allowed for a lot of interaction and discussion. I think the one thing to me that was beneficial was to hear the group talk about our role more than just business and structure, but that the role is very much pastoral in shepherding the staff."
• "We had a great host; the facilitator knew what he was doing. The food was great and the room was fun(pastor's office). The materials were of excellence and the flow of day was very good."

Topics

• "Steve's presentation about being a catalyst had the most profound impact on me. I believe it's where I am needed the most, and it's where my gifts and passions are great stuff."
• "Thank you for all that you did to facilitate the day. It was a learning experience, well worth the time. I enjoyed the "You Pick the Topic" time. It was interesting to hear the opinions of the other guys. The mix of job expectations/requirements in the room was clear, and this brought many different perspectives to the table. I would like more of this."
• "I wish we could have worked through a few more practical suggestions (how do XP structure their time, coaching tips for staff/leaders, retreat ideas (Steve gave a few of these), resource suggestions, org charts, meeting agendas). Maybe these are things that the others have figured out and that I'm learning as I go, but I thought that some of our discussion was at a level that was a little too theoretical."
• "I enjoyed hearing about the mechanics of the Board of Elders and all. I had not been exposed to this type of structure, and it was most interesting to learn about this, especially in light of the fact that many larger Baptist churches are moving to this type of structure. I know that my situation is really different from most in that we are a strong pastor-lead church with only two committees that have any input at all, but then again, my pastor is the founding pastor, so he has a lot of change in his pocket."

Meet Again?

• "I'd love to meet with them again."
• "As for Aug '05, I'm probably in and will be able to have an entire year's budget to plan ahead on the trip. An idea that I had was what if everyone (not just you and Steve) brought 6 or 8 copies of a book that had been influential in the life of their ministry leaders and we talked about an idea or two from them and sent people home with an armful of XP tools."
• "I think August of 2005 would be great. I would even like to see the group meet possibly twice a year, but at least once would be great!"
• "I would like to see others of us pitch in so that you do not have to do everything. For example, I would be glad to host a meeting here in College Station. I would love tomeet with this group again or with other groups of Executive Pastors next August or any other time. I believe the synergy from connections like thisis immeasurable."

Changes?

• "I liked it all. The structured yet flexible schedule was just about right. Your facilitation of the meeting was well done, and I would not want to make any changes. The content was right on target as well. No boredom here. One of the main things I brought home was the critical concept of focusing on deepening staff relationships for the ultimate purpose of fulfilling the Great Commission. In fact, I have already made some changes in how I spend my time and I intend to make more changes."