What is an Executive Pastor?

This weekend, we have the great privilege of getting to know Fritz and Sarina Hager. Fritz will be here at Bethel this weekend (April 17-19) with his family and will be introduced to the congregation as a candidate for the role of Executive Pastor. The following Sunday (April 26) we will call a congregational vote as is required by our church constitution for all pastoral staff hires.

So today I wanted to take a minute and explain what is the role of an Executive Pastor. I have had some great conversations over the past couple of weeks with many here at Bethel and I wanted to share these thoughts in case you had some of the same questions.

What is an Executive Pastor and how is it different from a Senior Pastor?

An Executive Pastor is different from the Senior Pastor in that he gives more immediate oversight to the organization--planning, directing and evaluating the ministries of the church. He is the human nerve-center for administration--development, staffing, coordinating, and direction of ministries in the church. He sees that these things get done. He also ensures that communication, unity, effectiveness and faithfulness to the vision is preserved and pursued. Most immediately he relates directly to the staff  and ministry leaders as the central hub that all their spokes fit into. In other words, he is the "single-point of contact." He serves them by seeing that their efforts align with the vision and mission of the church and the other areas of ministry, and that they have the resources they need. 

What are the reasons for hiring an Executive Pastor?

1. The growth and complexity of Bethel’s ministry: Over the past 18 months, Bethel has experienced a tremendous growth. If you have been here, you have felt the both the excitement of that growth and the pains.  Communication, space, parking, budgeting, planning, development of ministry and facilities are all matters of stewardship. My driving desire is that we as a church are excellent stewards of the resources, people and opportunities that God is entrusting us with. One of the reasons for hiring an Executive Pastor is stewardship.                                                                                      
2. To allow the Senior Pastor to focus on his calling:  Another reason for hiring and Executive Pastor is to free the Senior Pastor (me) to focus on study, teaching, preaching, leadership and vision. God has entrusted me with both a gift and a calling to study, preach, teach and lead. My driving passion and calling is to teach God's Word with clarity and conviction in a way that orients and inspires us as a body to the Glory of God, the exaltation of Christ and the mission of the church in the world. For our church to thrive and be effective in its mission of  "equipping and moving believers into ministry," we need someone equipped and gifted by God to carry out the essential and necessary daily details of administration.
    
3. The gift of administrative leadership is important in the life of any organization, including the church: With any ministry comes the great and glorious role of administration, details and execution. In fact, the Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 12, lists administration among the "varieties of gifts [given by] the same Spirit..." (v.4). It is a vital part of the "manifestation of the Spirit for the common good" (v.7); that which God has "appointed in the church..." (v.28). This is a vital and distinct role of leadership given by the Spirit for the building up the church and is vital to the life and health of the body at Bethel. This is the great need the role of Executive Pastor fulfills. Why does that matter to you? If it isn't done, you feel the effects in myriad ways. If it's done well, you never notice. 

Why am I excited about Fritz Hager for the role of Executive Pastor?

I can't tell you all of why I'm excited about Fritz without sharing his story, and I don't want to steal his thunder from this upcoming weekend. Suffice it to say, the work the Lord has done in his and Sarina's hearts and lives is inspiring, encouraging and abundant evidence that God has been working behind the scenes for months to orchestrate this "marriage." Over the past several months, as the elders and staff have talked and met extensively with Fritz and his family, it became clear that the Lord has brought to us a man whose heart has been captured by God for this specific ministry and that he will bring a unique pastoral perspective to the staff and the church. Fritz brings experience from the business world that not only qualifies him above and beyond for this role, but gives him common ground with many in our body. Fritz also brings a shepherd's heart and desire to know and follow God in every area of his life. I feel confident his story will resonate with you and leave you excited about what God is doing in and through Bethel with this next staff hire.

I look forward to this weekend with the Hager family and the Bethel family. I hope to see you Saturday afternoon from 2:00-4:00 p.m. in the youth room. 

Seeking your prayer and support,

Pastor Ross

Comments

[Steven Rogers]

This is great, Ross. Good thoughts and well-communicated. Thanks for sharing. I'm greatly looking forward to the Hagers' visit this weekend.

[ross]

Thanks for the feedback Steven. I'm looking forward to the weekend too. It will be great for Bethel and the Hagers to formally meet.