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An executive pastor oversees the day-to-day operations of a church, including staff, finances, and outreach activities. They ensure the church’s vision is maintained and comply with bylaws. This position requires a college education and years of experience as a pastor.
An executive pastor can be compared to an executive director in the private business sector. He or she is charged with overseeing an entire church operation. This includes overseeing staff members, finances, and other aspects of running a church. In most cases, executive pastors work in large churches. This position usually requires a college education and years of experience as a pastor.
Executive pastors handle most of the church’s day-to-day business and operations, freeing the senior pastor to focus on the spiritual growth of the congregation. Press relations, newsletters, and building maintenance needs fall within the responsibilities of the executive pastor. In addition to day-to-day operational needs, executive pastors are called upon to deliver a sermon in the church when the senior pastor is unavailable.
The church’s vision is always at the forefront of policy development. Executive pastors are tasked with steering committees and staff to maintain vision in all hiring and program development decisions. They offer advice to decision makers who want to be sure the church’s mission is being followed.
An executive pastor also oversees the recruitment and training of volunteers to carry out outreach activities in the community. Churches that support evangelism look to the executive pastor for guidance in approaching the community. Regular meetings with the executive pastor to report on progress are not uncommon.
Financial responsibilities typically involve an executive pastor. He or she meets with the church treasurer to discuss the financial situation of the church. Additionally, when there is a revenue shortfall or spending increases, the pastor works with team members to develop a correction plan, such as a congregational tithing challenge or cutting expenses.
Another task charged to executive pastors is the church’s compliance with conference or church bylaws. The pastor is expected to know what the bylaws are and keep track of changes as they occur. Conference attendance and home office conferencing to maintain compliance are also up to the pastor.
Most executive pastors spent several years as spiritual pastors before moving into the position. Generally, the exact process of becoming an executive pastor depends on the rules and statutes of a particular faith. Executive pastors can be found all over the world and in many different faiths. The executive pastor is normally supervised by the senior pastor or parish staff committee.
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