Mike3 bad reasons to create an XP position in your church:
- “I don’t like people” – some senior pastors seek to be insulated from the staff and church members. It’s true that people can drain huge quantities of time that a senior pastor needs to spend on other matters, and an executive pastor can be helpful in shouldering some of this load. But a senior pastor should never be detached and out-of-touch with the congregation. After all, we’re in the people business.
- “I don’t like administration” – just like the first reason above, there is an element of legitimacy in this. Any pastor who wants to find more hours in the day should be looking for ways to delegate administrative tasks to someone else. But if this is the only reason for hiring an executive pastor, then you are really looking to hire an office manager, business manager, or church administrator, not an XP.
- “Everyone else is doing it” – this is the worst reason of all. If your motivation is to keep up with the church down the street or simply because you heard another pastor raving about the benefits of having an XP, you are setting yourself up for disaster. An executive pastor role must be crafted to fit your personality and the needs of the church. If you are simply a copycat, then you have not identified those unique needs.
- The leadership burden has gotten too big – there’s just not enough of you to go around. As a result, you don’t ever feel that you’re able to spend the time that’s needed on major decisions or casting vision or preparing sermons or investing in your family. You can sense that the church is struggling because of this lack of clear leadership.
- Staff and church members see the need – it may be that others see the need for an XP before you do. They are concerned that you’re close to burn-out or that you’ve become the limiting factor in the church’s ability to take more ground for the Kingdom. If a staff member says that he or she would rather report to an executive pastor than the senior pastor because an XP would have time for them, pay attention!
- You’re ready to let go – even if the first two reasons are true, you have to be willing to hand-off some of your responsibilities or you won’t realize the benefits of hiring an XP. Don’t overlook this reason – the “failure” of many second chair leaders can be traced to a first chair who wasn’t ready to share the reins of leadership.
- Supervising others is not your strength – don’t confuse this “good reason” with the “bad reason” of not liking people. Many senior pastors struggle with supervision. They don’t have time to do it well, aren’t skilled at developing people, and/or don’t know how to give meaningful feedback (positive or negative). If the staff acts more like “free agents” or contractors than team members and if you are not happy with their performance, then an XP may be part of the solution.
- Big vision but little implementation – many visionary pastors wonder why the church isn’t making more progress toward their vision. The reason is that no one has been able to translate the vision into concrete steps that can be implemented. Some of the best first-second chair combinations occur when a gifted and trusted XP comes alongside the senior pastor, is able to understand the vision at a deep level, and then brings it to life by fleshing out the details and getting people moving.
Loved this article. I stepped down from being an Exec Pastor a month ago because I knew God was saying it was time for a change in where I was serving. But I loved serving in that role. I loved coaching/mentoring and training others. I loved being a support to the senior pastor/couple. It was amazing.
It worked so well for us because we served, played and worked well together. I was a fit for them and they were a fit for me. It was a team in the truest sense of the word. We all connected well together. Where I was weak, they were strong. Where they were weak, I was strong. It fit. There was great humilty and love working in the relationships across the board. When all the parts are working the way God wants them to, having a senior Pastor/Exec Pastor team can be an incredible fit for the church. We all thrived and the ministry thrived because ultimately we each only wanted what was best for the church. Even when it meant we needed to change.The right team, the right people in the right roles can accomplish great things for the Kingdom.
I was honored to serve there and to experience what that kind of a Christ centered dynamic can look like.
Great article!
Deb – I agree. It is wonderful for everyone when this kind of partnership occurs. Thanks for sharing your experience.
This is a great article! I serve as Executive Pastor at our church, and the fit is perfect. Our Senior Pastor is an amazing visionary, teacher, leader who is also very relational. God has “rounded” out his leadership by bringing my giftset onto the team. I have been working with him for about 6 years. God has given me the ability to grasp the vision on a deep level and help our team implement it.
Leadership and ministry development are my passions. I agree with what you said about “free agents”. I am often referred to as the “glue” with our leadership. I spend a lot of time working with and encouraging our ministry leaders. I definitely do some administration as well, but it is not my favorite thing to do.
In my opinion, another key statement you made is that the Senior Pastor has to be willing to hand off some of their responsibilities. So true…and I know that can be hard for a leader. On the flip side, It is also important that the XP (second chair) will take these responsibilities and lead…while at the same time, have a spirit of submission to the leadership of the first chair. Our first chair/second chair relationship works well. I believe this has to be a God-orchestrated relationship.
I am currently on a sabbatical dealing with a health issue. Praying that God heals my body quickly and I can get back to doing what I love to do!
We are all working together to lead the ministry that God has entrusted to us. What an honor!
Thanks, Jane. Good point that second chairs need to be ready to accept responsibility. When you’re in this position, you shouldn’t hide behind the first chair when things are tense. You should lead together in good times and bad.
I’ll join in praying for your healing.
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