XP-Day
February 8, 2005

David Fletcher
Founder & Host, XPastor

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.

Rod Mitchell
Once an Attorney,
now an XP

The XP as Administrator

The Administrator generally functions as the Chief Executive Officer, being a liaison between the governing board and others. The CEO determines staff compensation and ensures that budget development is aligned with vision and receives advice on legal and insurance issues (this is a military model where the Sr. Pastor is akin to the commanding officer and the XP is the executive officer). The Administrator can serve as a Chief Operating Officer or have a subordinate COO, delegating building management, guiding the master planning process and facilitating hiring architects and contractors. The Administrator can operate as the Chief Financial Officer or have a subordinate CFO, often representing church-wide finances to the governing board and directing capital campaigns to fund new buildings.

Who better to address this issue than a man who was an attorney, HR professional and church Board Member? Rod Mitchell, now the XP of Grace Bible Church in College Station will give the presentation.

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

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.

Mike Bickley
Thoughts from a newly minted XP

Getting Started & "Re-Started" as an XP

Jim Collins in Good to Great says, "Enduring great companies preserve their core values and purpose while their business strategies and operating practices endlessly adapt to a changing world. This is the magical combination of preserve the core and stimulate progress."

This "magical combination" of preserving the core and stimulating progress is also the mantra of all great churches. The core of the church - itsvalues, theology,andvision - must be preserved.Butthe implementation of that vision must remain progressive. Methods and strategies must change as the culture does.Mike believes that the role ofthe Executive Pastor is to assist the Senior Pastor and church leadership in this pursuit, acting as a guardian to preserve the core and as a catalyst encouraging progressive change.

Mike has been at Olathe Bible Church for just over a year, and he definitely doesn't have it all figured out. However, he has been passionately pursuing his calling with all of its ups and downs. He is excited to share with other XP's the joys and struggles that come with "preserving the core while stimulating progress."