National XP-Day
May 10, 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.

Ken Warren
Senior Associate
Green Acres Baptist Church
Tyler, Texas

The XP as Mentor

The Mentor function "pastors," or shepherds, the staff. As the Mentoring XP carries out practical duties and day-to-day responsibilities, you will also find them interacting with the staff as a group and as individuals.

Guiding, encouraging, communicating, challenging, protecting, coordinating, caring, disciplining, and nurturing ...

In short, doing the things a shepherd does. The Mentor often finds the greatest fulfillment, and the greatest measure of success, in the health of the "sheep" and the strength of the "flock."

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

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?"

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

Gary Gulbranson
Sr. Pastor
Westminster Chapel
Bellevue, Washingon

"Who is who and what is what?

What is the relationship between the XP and SP" Gary Gulbranson, Senior Pastor of Westminster Chapel in Bellevue, Washington will be our guest. Gary leads a church of 2500 in worship each Sunday.

Catered lunch by the Hilton Park Cities.

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.

Read "The Perfect Storm" and prepare the study questions