The First 3 Things I’d Fix in Most Churches Without an XP

A behind-the-curtain diagnosis for pastors leading operations by default.

Let’s be honest—most lead pastors didn’t sign up to be COOs.But when your church doesn’t have an Executive Pastor, the operations fall to you.

Here are the first three things I’d fix in most churches I step into:

1. Clarity Around Roles

When everyone owns everything, no one owns anything. I’d help your team define three clear ministry lanes per person, with measurable wins.This would turn “helping out” into real ownership and reduce staff friction overnight.

2. A Budget You Can Actually Understand

You don’t need a finance degree—just a 1-page dashboard. Each month, you should be able to see:

• Cash on hand

• Giving trends

• Expenses vs. income

We’d also align your budget with ministry priorities, not just history.

3. A 90-Day Execution Plan

Vision is great, but execution builds momentum. We’d identify three quarterly goals, assign owners, and set real deadlines. This simple rhythm helps teams move faster and helps pastors lead with confidence.

🎯 If these are pain points in your world, you’re not alone. That’s why I built Virtual Executive Pastor, to help churches without an XP lead with clarity and traction.

Explore our plans to find the best options for guiding your church in the right direction.

Let’s fix the things that bog you down so you can focus only on what you can do.