The Second Chair? Resources and Readiness for the Number Two Role

Part 2: How to learn and prepare for the Executive Pastor, Chief of Staff, or similar role

In my last article about second chair leadership I first encouraged us toward thinking intentionally about the role and next about building relationships with other second chair leaders. I have three more initial steps to take when getting ready for this role in the future or getting ready to hire someone for it. Let’s launch into those three in turn:

Now, Access Second Chair Resources

Start a kind of “future file” on second chair leadership. Find articles, tools, ideas, and systems that seem applicable to the second chair role. Read up on those leadership gurus who mention things related to executive pastors. Thom Ranier speaks to second chair leaders who are executive pastors matters from time to time, including some trends he’s spotted in the role’s development. Eric Geiger also weighs in from time to time on the role. Here’s his work on the senior/executive pastor fit.

McKinsey and company analyzed how to excel as a chief of staff in their “Seeing Around Corners” article. Dan Ciampa made “The Case for a Chief of Staff” for Harvard Business Review, saying “CEOs need more support than an executive assistant can provide.”

Many are learning from the “Godfather of Executive Pastors” (unofficial title many have given to him) at Dan Reiland’s website on leadership, staffing, coaching churches, and second chair leadership. Dan also wrote the forward to Dr. C. Tracy Reynolds’s Second Chair Leadership: How To Serve, Thrive & Lead From Where You Play. You can also read interviews of XPs like Phil Cooke’s interview of veteran XP Mike Buster.

Watch orgs like Second Chair Solutions who are providing executive pastor help for those that need it. Consider formal training environments for second chair leaders in churches like what Vanderbloemen offers or even this seminar from XPastor. Vanderbloemen described seven essential attributes of the exceptional executive Pastor in this piece as well. I particularly liked their points on having a handle on timing and being passionate about developing people.

It’s not easy to get a good second chair role, so you have to study up on these areas in your free time and learn as much as you can on the side. It might be a long journey waiting for the right opportunity, or the right prior friend or colleague to ask you to join the journey, so make the most of the wait.

Then, Read a Few Second Chair Books