Backstage Pastors Episode 11: Four Decades of XP Ministry w/ Dan Reiland

Phil and Tyler sit down with longtime executive pastor, author, coach, and leadership mentor Dan Reiland. Dan reflects on his ministry journey, beginning as John Maxwell’s second intern and eventually becoming one of the pioneering executive pastors in the modern church movement. He shares stories from his years at Skyline Church, the Enjoy ministry, and his 25-year tenure at 12Stone Church.

The conversation explores how the executive pastor role has evolved over the decades, the challenges and opportunities of church growth, and the importance of balancing organizational leadership with spiritual leadership. Dan offers a behind-the-scenes look at 12Stone’s decision to launch five campuses in a single Sunday, including lessons learned from rapid growth and the importance of strong systems.

Dan also discusses the calling and partnership between senior pastors and executive pastors, recounting the remarkable story of how God led him and Kevin Myers into ministry together. The conversation turns to leadership development, mentoring, generational learning, and the growing challenge of helping leaders interpret culture in a rapidly changing world.

Dan’s strongest leadership conviction after four decades in ministry is: prayer is not preparation for the work—it is the work.

Mentioned Resources

🗣️ Follow Dan on Instagram

💻 Dan’s Website

📕 Shoulder to Shoulder: Strengthening the Church by Supporting Your Pastor by Dan Reiland 

📕 Amplified Leadership: Five Practices to Establish Influence, Build People, and Impact Others by Dan Reiland

⛪️ 12Stone Church

⛪️ Skyline Church

From Our Partners

💻 ⁠The Church Hub⁠: The Church Hub serves pastors, ministry leaders, and their spouses through equipping and training resources.

Connect with Phil Taylor

✉️ ⁠Get Phil’s Newsletter

✉️ ⁠⁠phil@backstagepastors.org⁠⁠

🗣️ ⁠⁠@philtaylorxp⁠⁠

📚 ⁠Books by Phil⁠

💻⁠ backstagepastors.org⁠

💻 ⁠plainjoestudios.com⁠

Connect with Tyler Drewitz

✉️ ⁠⁠tyler@myxp.church⁠⁠

🗣️ ⁠⁠@tylerdrewitz⁠⁠

💻 ⁠myxp.church⁠

💻⁠ ridgelineprinting.com⁠

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CHAPTERS

[03:50] From John Maxwell’s Intern to Executive Pastor

[08:26] How the Executive Pastor Role Has Evolved

[12:02] Launching Five Campuses in One Sunday

[19:00] Supporting and Strengthening Senior Pastors

[21:00] God’s Calling to Partner with Kevin Myers

[27:16] Mentoring Leaders and Interpreting Culture

[31:00] Addressing Anxiety in Today’s Generation

[32:05] Prayer as the Foundation of Church Growth

[35:03] Developing One More Leader

Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co.
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