When Should a Church Hire an Executive Pastor?

As churches grow, leaders often reach a tipping point where the senior pastor can no longer carry the full weight of vision, preaching, pastoral care, administration, staff oversight, and organizational leadership. That’s when the question arises: Is it time to hire an Executive Pastor? In this episode, Josh and Sam unpack what an Executive Pastor actually does, why this role has become more common across church sizes, and how to know whether your church is ready for one.

1. 1. Capacity is the trigger, not attendance: The need for an XP has more to do with complexity than church size. Some churches need one at 250 people; others may not need one until 1,000.
   2. Administrative strain is the warning light: When ministries are growing but communication, processes, and staff coordination are breaking down, the church is entering the “organizational gap” that an XP is designed to close.
   3. Is the senior pastor ready to let go? Sometimes, the biggest issue is the difficulties top leaders have delegating to an executive pastor.
   4. Room exists in the personnel budget: Some churches hire part-time, while others wait until they can afford full-time.

Resources:

• “Leadership in a Chaotic World” by Dr. Andrew Walker, Dr. Justin Irving, and Dr. Jeremy Pierre

• Doctor of Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

• Chaney & Associates

• “Simple Church: Returning to God’s Process for Making Disciples” by Thom S. Rainer and Eric Geiger (affiliate link)

• FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

• Church Answers Central

• The Hope Initiative

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