Backstage Pastors - Bringing Vision Into Reality
  • Home
  • Publications
  • Buy on Amazon
  • Coaching
Home
Publications
Buy on Amazon
Coaching
  • Home
  • Publications
  • Buy on Amazon
  • Coaching
Backstage Pastors - Bringing Vision Into Reality
Executive Pastor Leadership

“How To Be Second”- Monthly Meet-up Interview

When I wrote “Defining The Executive Pastor Role” almost ten years ago, there wasn’t much out there for second chair leaders anywhere, let alone in the church world. You had Bonem’s book, which is still a classic. And a couple other moderate works. And that was it. In the ten years since then, we’ve seen a greater awareness of the second chair role, and there are no shortages of cohorts, and online seminars for you to attend now, which is great. But as far as actual published books that you can go on Amazon and buy right now, not much has changed. Bonem did a follow up, which is another great addition to your XP library. And that’s it for pastors specifically.

And then one day, last year I was scrolling through Facebook and saw that a friend of mine from college had co-written a book called “How To Be Second”. It’s not for the church specifically, but lots of it applies to the church. And it’s really good. I of course immediately reached out to my friend Dave Hartman and his co-author, Nathan Young. I would highly suggest that you pick it up and give it a good read. You won’t be disappointed.

In addition to the book, Dave and Nathan host a monthly meet-up for Q&A and community. They’ve invited me to their May 24′ online gathering. You can sign up to join it here. It will not be posted anywhere for future viewing.

May 1, 2024by Phil Taylor
FacebookTwitterPinterestGoogle +Stumbleupon
Executive Pastor Leadership, Ministry Ideas

Update to Defining the Executive Pastor Role coming in April 2024

10 years ago, I had the privilege of writing a book called “Defining The Executive Pastor Role”. It’s hard to believe that much time has gone by since I wrote it! Way back in 2014 when the book came out, I had the intention of following it up with a second book, also for Executive Pastors, and possibly a third. But life got in the way. Our church was growing at a very fast clip. We needed more staff, more space, more everything. And that second book stopped short after I’d written a couple chapters.

Then, I started getting questions about a teaching I’d done on Elder Development at a couple conferences. Those questions turned into phone calls and those phone calls turned into a book that you’ll find on Amazon called “Eldership Development: From Application To Affirmation”. As it turned out, both of these books did really well and found their way around the globe without much effort. Along the way, I started doing a lot more coaching with pastors and consulting with churches. In 2022, I shifted into serving other churches full-time (instead of my own church), and that was bit of a learning curve in and of itself.

As 2023 began, I realized that 1. I wanted to update the XP book. 2. I had good content hidden in evernote files that needed to be at least added to the original. 3. I had gotten great feedback on what was missing from the original book and I wanted to add it.

So I set a goal.

Publish the new version of Defining The Executive Pastor Role in 2023! I worked diligently on the update (if not somewhat sporadically) and as fall 2023 came on, I was within striking distance of finishing the project. Unfortunately, I also realized that my work for PlainJoe Studios with churches across the nation and internationally had me entering a season that would create travel 10 out of 12 weeks straight through mid-december.

So I did what anyone would do. I altered my goal. I would at least get the updated manuscript to an editor by the end of the year. It’s ok if publishing it happened in 2024.

With this new goal in mind, I worked hard to finish things up on the weekend and on planes. As Christmas approached I decided to take the time between Christmas and New Years off completely from my day job with PlainJoe Studios. (No pastors were working anyway, so it was fine). I put a solid three days into one final push and on New Years Eve, 2023, I sent the newly updated manuscript off to my editor and rested in knowing that I had met my goal! (Even if it was altered a bit from earlier in the year).

The book is now with my editor. After that, it goes to my formatter. Cover design update is in the works with my graphic designer. My hope is that the updated version will be live on Amazon by the middle to end of February 2024. Stay tuned! I’m really pleased with how it turned out.

UPDATE:: Due to a death in the family, the release of this book will move to April, 2024.

January 8, 2024by Phil Taylor
FacebookTwitterPinterestGoogle +Stumbleupon
Executive Pastor Leadership

What Type of Executive Pastor Are You?

Having spent 17 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 Executive Pastor) fall into one of two categories.

Continue reading

September 10, 2022by Phil Taylor
FacebookTwitterPinterestGoogle +Stumbleupon
Executive Pastor Leadership

Your First Few Months at a New Church

Recently, I was talking with a friend who taking his first position as an executive pastor. He asked me for input on what his first few months should look like. I remembered that a few years ago, when I was new at a church, I had jotted down a few simple notes on what my first few months would look like. I shared that file with him and he found it to be very helpful, so I figured I’d share it here as well. Here it is, unfiltered.

Continue reading

June 10, 2022by Phil Taylor
FacebookTwitterPinterestGoogle +Stumbleupon
Executive Pastor Leadership

My “Everyday Carry” for Leadership (Part 5) – The Transformation Cycle

Change. Not a word we always like to speak about as leaders. Personal change is never easy, especially when it involves my own character. And there just seems to be an increased level of difficulty when it involves change of those around me with whom I have influence or responsibility. Like jumping into the unknown. So how do I help others authentically change?

I consider one of my roles as a leader to help shape those in my sphere of influence. Leading is not just about projects. It is more importantly about people.

1-6

Today we are on my final post of my “everyday carry” (or EDC) for leadership. It has been extremely helpful for me to think through those essentials that help me to be a strong leader and maximize my influence with others.

Continue reading

July 2, 2017by Phil Taylor
FacebookTwitterPinterestGoogle +Stumbleupon
Executive Pastor Leadership

My “Everyday Carry” for Leadership (Part 4)

Have you ever considered those items that are foundational to your being an engaging leader? You need to. Because no one ever drifts into healthy leadership practices. What are your “go to’s”?

1-5

In past posts, we have looked at some of the essentials of what I “carry with me” in order to have a vibrancy and robustness in interacting with people and projects: indispensable reads, personal character traits, and apps that I use that are getting it done for me. 

Continue reading

June 5, 2017by Phil Taylor
FacebookTwitterPinterestGoogle +Stumbleupon
Executive Pastor Leadership

My “Everyday Carry” for Leadership (Part 3)

In recent weeks, I have been discussing that necessary gear, tangible or intangible, that is helping me be a more effective leader. I call them my “everyday carry” items for leadership. Part 1 is an ensemble of readings and writings that are making a dent in my thinking. Part 2 articulated four character traits that I deem absolutely essential to “getting it done.”

1-3

In part 3 today, I want to share with you four apps that are giving me the ability to manage my day as well as interactions with others. And these apps have both desktop and mobile versions available which give some nice multi-platform functionality.

Continue reading

May 1, 2017by Phil Taylor
FacebookTwitterPinterestGoogle +Stumbleupon
Executive Pastor Leadership

My “Everyday Carry” for Leadership (Part 2)

This post continues the theme of “everyday carry.” If you read my prior post, it is all about those things that we carry with us that we deem as essential and necessary to help us in our day. As an executive pastor, I am all about gaining insights into what can make my day more effective with others. 

1-2

In a twist of the term, I wanted to challenge us that there should be an “everyday carry” for us as leaders, those indispensable tangibles or intangibles that make us what we want and need to be as leaders.

In part 2 of my everyday carry for leadership, I want to list four characteristics that have served me well in my almost 30 years of being in various leadership positions.

Continue reading

March 24, 2017by Phil Taylor
FacebookTwitterPinterestGoogle +Stumbleupon
Executive Pastor Leadership

My “Everyday Carry” for Leadership (Part 1)

Have you every heard of the term “everyday carry” or EDC? It has become quite the phenomena. At its most literal meaning, everyday carry refers to those things that you carry everyday with you in your pockets or in your bag.

1

They are the essentials, the things you check for each time you leave the house, those things that you cannot do without. They speak of what helps you feel prepared, those items of utility that help create a more effective day. In another sense, it has fueled a desire for knowing what other people carry with them that they deem to be a great product. 

Check out everydaycarry.com – it provides some great visuals if you have never been exposed to this concept before.

I definitely have my own set items that I deem to be of the everyday carry variety.

Continue reading

February 11, 2017by Phil Taylor
FacebookTwitterPinterestGoogle +Stumbleupon
Executive Pastor Leadership

Executive? or Pastor? A29 Regional Event Audio

Recently I had the opportunity to teach at an Acts 29 Network regional one-day conference in Philadelphia. Jeff Vanderstelt of Soma Communities was the main speaker. I did a breakout session for Executive Pastors.

Continue reading

May 22, 2010by Phil Taylor
FacebookTwitterPinterestGoogle +Stumbleupon
Executive Pastor Leadership

Top 5 Resources for Executive Pastors and those who want one.

(This article originally appeared on the Acts 29 Network Blog).

A quick Google search for the words “executive pastor” will mostly give you hits for available job postings and existing executive pastor (XP) bios. Dig a little deeper and you might come across the occasional article. The reality is that there just isn’t much out there for the guy who sits in the second chair pastoral role in his church. So XP’s are often left to reinvent the proverbial wheel. This does not have to be the case. Below you will find descriptions of five resources that no XP should be without. Of course, this is not an exhaustive list. If you have your own favorites, let us know.

Continue reading

October 19, 2007by Phil Taylor
FacebookTwitterPinterestGoogle +Stumbleupon
Executive Pastor Leadership

Climbing Down The Ladder. From LP to XP.

Most people want to climb up the ladder of their career. I climbed down it because that’s what God called me to. Read the story below.

(This article originally appeared on the Acts 29 Network Blog).

Continue reading

November 5, 2006by Phil Taylor
FacebookTwitterPinterestGoogle +Stumbleupon

PUBLICATIONS



English and Spanish versions available on Amazon in Paperback and Kindle E-book.

Recent Posts

  • Themed Entertainment and Attractions Prayer Breakfast during IAAPA 2024
  • Harbor Network Conference-See you there!
  • XPastor.org Interview/ Q&A with David Fletcher
  • Vineyard Conference-Let’s Connect!
  • UnSeminary Podcast Interview
  • “How To Be Second”- Monthly Meet-up Interview
  • Defining The Executive Pastor Role Update Now Available
  • Foundry Network Gathering-Let’s Connect!
  • Schools United Conference-Let’s meet up!
  • Update to Defining the Executive Pastor Role coming in April 2024

MEET PHIL

Phil Taylor

My name is Phil. I spent 20 years pastoring (mostly executive pastoring) and now I serve churches all over through consulting on buildings and brands at  Plain Joe Studios and coaching Executive Pastors. My wife and I have three kids and one grandchild. I’m into running and kayaking.

Categories

  • Audio Resources
  • Building Projects
  • Caring for Widows & Orphans
  • Church Planting
  • Communications
  • Conferences and Events
  • Courses and Workshops
  • Elder Development
  • Executive Pastor Leadership
  • generosity resources
  • In Praise Of
  • Job Board
  • Leadership General
  • Measuring ROI
  • Media Kit
  • Ministry Direction
  • Ministry Ideas
  • Missional Communities
  • News
  • Podcast
  • Propaganda
  • Publications
  • Quotes
  • Worship

Insanely practical stuff for you and your staff. Bringing vision into reality.

© 2018 copyright PHILTAYLOR // All rights reserved // Privacy Policy
#BackstagePastors