Essentials
One of Fletch’s most popular articles that defines the XP role
Learn the strengths in your 5 Functions
What exactly is an Executive Pastor? Does the position look the same in every church? Below are some articles by seasoned XPs, talking about the different types of Executive Pastors and their responsibilities … and suggesting some “tools” to put in your toolbox!
Fletch & Erika Cole, When to Hire an Executive Pastor
Fletch and Erika Cole did podcast 49 on When to Hire an Executive Pastor. Erika, known as The Church Attorney®, is the creator of The Church Attorney Legal Audit® System, a proprietary legal audit process [...]
Defining the Executive Pastor Role
Phil has just updated and expanded his book, Defining the Executive Pastor Role. Join us as he gives an overview of the book and delves into a few of the chapters. The [...]
Pastoral Heart vs. Business Brain
Balancing Giftedness in the XP role Nick Smith is an XP with a huge Pastoral Heart. He exudes warmth and compassion with plenty of biblical wisdom. How does Nick balance his gifts [...]
Preparing for a Senior Pastor Resignation
One day, you may have the conversation. This is one of those ultimate conversations in your ministry life. It may come out of the blue. You may have some signs it is coming. You [...]
The Origin of Executive Pastors
Bob Buford passed away recently. If you’re younger than about 40, it’s possible you’ve never heard of Bob Buford. But if you’re an executive pastor of any age, you owe your position to Bob [...]
The Changing Face of the Executive Pastor Role
A longtime XP discusses what is changing for a position once limited to large churches, an interview with David Fletcher by Matthew Branaugh ... You have served as a pastor for more than 35 [...]
The Seven Essential Attributes of Exceptional Executive Pastors
Having an excellent Executive Pastor can dramatically increase the health and growth of a church. Similar to the relationship between a COO and a CEO, an Executive Pastor oversees all administrative and operational aspects of [...]
Book Excerpt: Defining the Executive Pastor Role
Throughout my years in the Executive Pastor role, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know many of my peers in ministry. At the risk of oversimplification, I have noticed that most XPs (shorthand for [...]
Defining the Executive Pastor Role and Its Need in the Church
I recently sat down with the Lead Pastor of our church, discussing my current role as the Director of Operations. During the discussion, I mentioned that I was hoping to move my position to become [...]
Who Needs an Executive Pastor, Anyway?
Pastors have been on the scene for a couple thousand years. Executive Pastors, by many different definitions, have been around for about twenty-five years. We obviously know more about how to be the former than [...]
Overtime and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
Do you believe in slavery? Because we believe in the dignity of all people, we have enacted various laws to protect our workers. Whether you want to read this article or not, you need to! [...]
Three Kinds of Executive Pastors
Who will be your next XP? What is the rise and function of the Executive Pastor? Whether you call the position Executive Pastor or Senior Associate Pastor or Chief Cook and Bottle Washer, there are [...]
Good Fit or Poor Fit: How Can You Tell?
When Goldilocks visited the Three Bears’ house, she tried three different rocking chairs. Papa Bear’s was “too big,” she decided. Then Baby Bear’s broke into a dozen pieces under her weight. “Too small,” she declared [...]
Discovering Your Need for an Executive Pastor—Excerpts from a Dissertation
The extant literature presents material on how to discover when an Executive Pastor is needed in a local congregation. Wes Kiel, in his unpublished article that was used in three Leadership Network forums in the [...]
Case Studies of Policy and Vision Implementation by the Executive Pastor–A Dissertation
The following is a dissertation written in 2004 by David Fletcher about the Executive Pastor position. The footnotes have been removed to simplify reading on the web. Unfortunately, the images (and there are many) do [...]
Pressures on the Pastor—Excerpts from a Dissertation
With the acceptance of the operating principle of the historic importance of preaching, it will do well to briefly address other pressures on the preacher. In a chapter entitled, A Pastor's Job Description, counselors Frank [...]
Perils in the Executive Pastor Role—Excerpts from a Dissertation
A discussion of the role and function of the Executive Pastor would be incomplete without mentioning associated perils. This section will be especially helpful for any Senior Pastor, governing board or search committee seeking an [...]
Biblical Parallels for the Executive Pastor—Excerpts from a Dissertation
There are at least three significant biblical pericope that demonstrate roles parallel to the Executive Pastor. Two individuals, and one group, were in the place of implementing the policy and vision of others. The position that [...]
Models of Church Structure—Excerpts from a Dissertation
Before one can discuss models of management in the church, it is necessary to discuss the role of management. This will help in evaluating the role and scope of the church leadership. In other words, [...]
The Solution of the Business Administrator—Excerpts from a Dissertation
Another solution, often in conjunction with the Associate Pastor role, is for the church to hire a Business Administrator. Minirth and others succinctly discuss this area, in the context of different hats that the pastor [...]
The Solution of the Associate Pastor—Excerpts from a Dissertation
As the church added a second pastor, that person often received the title Associate or Assistant Pastor. In 2000, Martin Hawkins, Assistant Pastor at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas, completed a doctoral study [...]
Biblical Parallels of the Five Functions
Below are definitions of the Five Functions of an Executive Pastor---Administrator, Catalyst, Mentor, Relational, and Overseer---complete with biblical examples of each one. The Five Functions were originally established through the XP-Indicator which is now [...]
5 Functions in Church Leadership
There are 5 Functions in church leadership. A variety of church staff use these roles, from senior pastor to executive pastor to others in leadership positions. Over 4,600 people have discovered their 5 Functions [...]
The Single Greatest Threat to Any XP
“Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a [...]