Executive Pastor (XP) of Strategy & Leadership (In-Person)

Church: St. Paul Baptist Church (Peoria, IL) Reports To: Senior Pastor

Primary Emphasis: Leadership development (first), strategy & execution (second)

Role Summary

St. Paul exists to help people live and love like Jesus. The Executive Pastor of Strategy & Leadership (XP) turns church-wide priorities into clear goals, simple systems, and measurable ministry outcomes. This role develops staff and volunteer leaders, aligns ministries around key priorities, and keeps our plans moving in unity on and off campus.

Lane Clarity (Partnerships)

• Senior Pastor: Provides vision and church-wide direction with the Elders, leads in preaching/teaching, models the Jesus-way of life and culture, and partners with staff and teams to execute the church-wide plan.
• Executive Pastor (XP): People & ministry outcomes, staff coaching, supervision of ministry staff, leader development/cohorts, scorecards, quarterly priorities, cross-ministry execution, and supporting ministry leaders in creating and maintaining ministry budgets.
• Church Executive Administrator (CEA): Operations & compliance, Human resources, administration, payroll/benefits, finance administration, facilities, safety/security, purchasing, IT/AV operations. (XP collaborates with CEA and Finance on budgeting; CEA administers processes and policy.)

Core Responsibilities

Vision → Plans → Outcomes

·Transform church-wide priorities into clear goals, simple systems, and measurable outcomes across ministries.

·Facilitate long-range planning and goal-setting with the Senior Pastor, Elders, staff, and key ministry leaders (annual and multi-year).

·Monitor ministry effectiveness (in-person and online) and recommend improvements to keep teams aligned with mission and priorities.

·Serve on the executive leadership team, providing spiritual and organizational leadership to the whole church.

·Champion St. Paul's values, mission, and theological integrity in all leadership settings.

·Lead and support initiatives that enable churches to connect, model and share the Gospel within the community and beyond.

People & Teams

• Supervise ministry staff, fostering an emotionally healthy culture of accountability, excellence, collaboration, and spiritual growth.
• Conduct regular staff meetings and 1:1 coaching (monthly) to keep expectations and priorities clear.
• Promote healthy team dynamics, establish clear norms, coach biblical conflict resolution, and foster a life-giving staff culture.
• Identify leadership potential and build a cross-ministry leadership pipeline (cohorts, coach bench, apprentices/No. 2s).
• Ensure clear communication systems among staff, ministry teams, and congregation (what gets shared, when, and how).
• Shepherd staff and key leaders with care, encouragement, and accountability in partnership with the Senior Pastor.
• Develop, coach, and support ministry leaders to grow spiritually, in leadership capacity, and ministry effectiveness.

Plans, Budgets, and Execution

• Coach ministry leaders to help them grow in spiritual leadership, strategic thinking, and operational excellence.
• Equip ministry leaders to implement clear plans (SOPs, timelines) and right-sized budgets, coordinating with CEA/Finance for alignment and stewardship.
• Evaluate ministries for effectiveness, alignment, and sustainability; recommend start/stop/strengthen decisions.
• Collaborate on staffing, budgets, and volunteer structures to right-size teams for the work.

Teaching & Prayer

• Regularly preach/teach (minimum 10 Sundays/year) and lead prayer as requested by the Senior Pastor, modeling biblically rooted, culturally relevant, evangelistic ministry.
• Lead in the development of a culture of stewardship and generosity in partnership with the Senior Pastor and Stewardship/Finance leaders.
• Model and foster a culture of prayer, discipleship, and spiritual growth among staff, ministry leaders, and the congregation.

Simple Measures of Success (year one)

• SMART goals on track: ≥80% of staff goals completed by due dates.
• Quarterly priorities finished on time: ≥80% of "big rocks" completed by due dates.
• Developed a clear leadership development process ≥50% more members participating in the Leadership process.

Minimum Qualifications

• 10+ years of pastoral or executive-level church leadership with a proven track record of leader development and plan execution.
• Master's degree (MDiv/MA/ThM/Organizational Leadership or comparable graduate degree).
• Demonstrated ability to coach staff, supervise ministry teams, and build leader pipelines/cohorts.
• Strong strategic and change-management skills; able to keep teams focused on a few priorities.
• Effective communicator who can preach/teach with theological depth and cultural relevance.
• Alignment with St. Paul's mission, values, and hybrid ministry model; high relational and cultural intelligence.
• Lives out an authentic and growing personal relationship with Jesus Christ, rooted in integrity, prayer, and service.

To Apply

Submit a resume, and cover letter with a one-page ministry philosophy (leader development + strategy), two sermon links, and three references