Church leadership can be messy. As churches grow and get more complex, so do the challenges of balancing vision, strategy, and everyday operations. That’s where the Executive Pastor (XP) steps in. If the senior pastor is the one casting vision and leading from the front, the XP is the one making sure the wheels don’t fall off while getting everyone moving in the same direction.
But here’s the thing: the role of an executive pastor can look totally different from one church to the next. Some XPs are all about spreadsheets and strategies; others are more like the staff’s go-to coach, helping people stay healthy and aligned. No two churches are the same, so no two executive pastor roles are either—and that’s part of what makes this role so interesting (and important).
What Does an Executive Pastor Actually Do?
In a nutshell, the XP is the bridge between the big picture and the day-to-day. They work hand-in-hand with the senior pastor to make sure the church’s vision becomes a reality. But depending on the size and style of the church, what that looks like can vary. Here are a few areas where XPs typically spend their time:
1. Backing Up the Senior Pastor
The executive pastor is the senior pastor’s right-hand person, taking the lead on practical stuff so the senior pastor can focus on preaching, teaching, and leading people. It’s all about playing to strengths: the senior pastor inspires, and the XP makes sure the inspiration has legs.
2. Keeping the Church Running Smoothly
From budgets to buildings, the XP is the person who handles the nuts and bolts of church operations. This might include:
- Money Matters: Managing the church budget, overseeing giving, and keeping finances on track.
- Staff Leadership: Hiring, training, and coaching staff so they can thrive in their roles.
- Facility Management: Making sure the church campus is functional, welcoming, and ready for ministry.
3. Helping the Church Move Forward
The XP is often the strategic thinker in the room. They help set goals, create systems, and measure success. Whether it’s launching a new campus, developing a discipleship process, or finding new ways to connect with the community, the XP makes sure there’s a plan to get from point A to point B.
4. Building a Healthy Team
Let’s be honest: ministry can be tough, and church staff can feel the weight of it. Executive pastors are often the ones who step in to make sure the team is healthy—emotionally, spiritually, and relationally. They lead meetings, navigate conflict, and keep the team aligned and focused.
5. Stewarding Church Culture
Every church has a unique culture, and the XP plays a big role in protecting it. Whether it’s how decisions are made, how people are cared for, or how the staff interacts, the executive pastor helps set the tone.
Why the Role Varies
Here’s the deal: no two churches are alike, so no two executive pastors will do the exact same thing. A megachurch with multiple campuses will need an XP who’s more like a COO, managing a large staff and big budgets. A smaller church might need someone who’s more hands-on, wearing several hats and helping wherever they’re needed.
What stays consistent is the heart behind the role: to serve the church, support the senior pastor, and ensure the mission moves forward.
What Makes a Great Executive Pastor?
Being an XP is not about having all the answers—it’s about being a steady, reliable leader who can adapt to whatever’s happening in the moment. Here are some qualities that make for a strong XP:
- Team Player: Someone who loves collaboration and knows how to work well with all kinds of people.
- Problem Solver: The XP is often the one who takes messy problems and figures out how to untangle them.
- Big-Picture Thinker: They can connect the dots between vision and execution.
- Relational: People are at the heart of ministry, so an XP needs to know how to listen, encourage, and build trust.
- Spiritually Grounded: It’s not just about getting things done—it’s about doing it in a way that honors God and reflects His heart.
Why Every Church Needs One
For growing churches, the executive pastor isn’t just a nice-to-have role—it’s essential. But here’s the kicker: it’s not just the megachurches that need an XP. Small and medium-sized churches can benefit just as much—maybe even more. Why? Because no matter the size of the church, the challenges of balancing vision, leadership, and operations are very real.
Small Churches: Setting a Strong Foundation
In smaller churches, the senior pastor is often wearing multiple hats: preaching, leading worship, running staff meetings, balancing the budget, and sometimes even plunging the toilets. It’s exhausting, and let’s face it—it’s not sustainable. An executive pastor, even if they’re part-time or wearing a few hats of their own, can step in to take on some of that load.
Here’s what an XP might look like in a small church:
- Streamlining Operations: Handling administrative tasks so the senior pastor can focus on people and preaching.
- Developing Leaders: Helping identify and equip volunteers to step into key roles, multiplying the church’s impact.
- Building Systems: Establishing processes for communication, ministry planning, and finances that will scale as the church grows.
Even at a small size, an XP creates breathing room for the senior pastor and helps the church avoid burnout while laying a solid foundation for future growth.
Medium-Sized Churches: Navigating Complexity
For medium-sized churches, the role of an executive pastor becomes even more critical. At this stage, ministries are expanding, staff is growing, and the “let’s just wing it” approach doesn’t cut it anymore. The senior pastor needs someone to help manage the increasing complexity so the church can thrive.
Here’s how an XP can make an impact:
- Aligning Ministries: Ensuring that all the ministries are working toward the same mission, rather than pulling in different directions.
- Coaching Staff: Providing oversight and mentorship to ministry leaders, fostering a healthy and unified team.
- Strategic Planning: Helping the church set goals and stay focused, so they don’t lose sight of the big picture in the day-to-day busyness.
Without an XP at this stage, it’s easy for a church to hit a plateau—not because the vision isn’t clear, but because the execution is stretched too thin.
Growing Together
The beauty of the executive pastor role is that it’s flexible and can adapt to what the church actually needs in the moment. Whether a church is small, medium, or on the brink of becoming a megachurch, an XP provides the support and structure to ensure the ministry doesn’t just survive but thrives.
When the executive pastor and senior pastor are in sync, it’s a game-changer. The senior pastor can focus on casting vision and shepherding people, while the XP takes care of the operational details. Together, they create an environment where the church is healthy, effective, and laser-focused on helping people encounter Jesus, grow in their faith, and make an impact in their world.
No matter the size of the church, the role of an executive pastor isn’t just about keeping things running—it’s about empowering the church to fulfill its God-given mission with excellence. And that’s something every church needs.
Current and Future Executive Pastors:
If you’re an executive pastor, thinking about becoming one, or just wondering what the role is all about, remember this: it’s not about doing everything perfectly. It’s about being faithful, flexible, and willing to step into the gaps. Whether your church is big or small, structured or scrappy, the XP plays a vital role in helping the church stay healthy, focused, and moving forward.
So, whether you’re tackling spreadsheets, leading meetings, or just making sure there’s enough coffee on Sunday morning, know this: what you’re doing matters—and it’s making a difference for the Kingdom.
