Backstage Pastors Episode 18: Outsourcing your Key Hires w/ Matt Steen

In this episode of the Backstage Pastors podcast, Phil Taylor sits down with Matt Steen, co-founder of Chemistry Staffing, to talk about church staffing, pastoral succession, and the evolving role of the executive pastor. Matt shares his unconventional journey into ministry and explains why Chemistry Staffing was created to help churches find healthier, longer-lasting ministry fits.

They also discuss the shrinking pipeline of ministry leaders, why some churches may not actually need an executive pastor, and what aspiring XPs should consider when looking for the right role. Matt highlights concerning trends in staff retention and encourages church leaders to have intentional conversations about their team members’ health, calling, and future.

They close with practical ways churches can develop and send leaders while creating healthier teams and more sustainable ministry.

 

Mentioned Resources

🗣️Connect with Matt Steen

💻Chemistry Staffing

📩Contact Matt Steen

📕Turn the Ship Around! by L. David Marquet

 

Upcoming Events

📅 Harbor Network Conference – Fort Myers, Florida

📅 The Church Hub Executive Pastor Cohort

 

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

[03:59] – Matt Steen’s Unconventional Journey into Ministry

[07:29] – Why Chemistry Staffing Was Started

[10:13] – Succession and the Shrinking Ministry Pipeline

[14:09] – Does Your Church Really Need an Executive Pastor?

[16:48] – Advice for Aspiring Executive Pastors

[22:15] – Surviving Your First Year as an XP

[26:24] – What the Church Staff Health Assessment Is Revealing

[30:04] – The Three-to-Five-Year Wall and Developing Staff

[38:43] – How Chemistry Staffing Approaches Church Hiring

 

Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co.
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