The series to follow explores the unique dynamic between Walt and Roy Disney, examines why it worked, and draws lessons for how pastors can model their leadership in the same way.
the disney leadership myth that’s wrecking your church (part two.)
The church is not a business, but it does require leadership, vision, and wise stewardship. In many churches, leadership is structured around two complementary roles: the lead pastor and the executive pastor.
The Lead Pastor as Walt Disney
The lead pastor is, in many ways, the “Walt Disney” of the church. They carry the spiritual vision of the congregation, preaching the Word, inspiring faith, and asking, “What if?”
• What if our community truly lived out the Great Commission?
• What if we could plant new churches in unreached areas?
• What if we could create a discipleship pathway that transformed families for generations?
Like Walt, the lead pastor dreams beyond the present reality. They are not satisfied with maintaining the status quo; they see the church not just as it is but as it could be. Their sermons stir faith, their leadership calls people into mission, and their imagination dares the church to believe in what God can do.
But, also like Walt, a lead pastor can struggle at times with details, administration, and long-term sustainability. The temptation is to live in the world of ideas without always building the systems to support them.
Lead pastors often have great ideas that can change lives and grow the church. But sometimes, those great ideas are poorly executed, or short lived because they lack the systemic structure to keep them going after the initial launch.
The Executive Pastor as Roy Disney
This is where the executive pastor comes in. The executive pastor is the “Roy Disney” of the church: the realist, the steward, the one who ensures the vision actually becomes reality.
Being an executive pastor looks different in every church but often the executive pastor oversees finances, staff development, operations, and strategy. They ensure that the big dreams of the lead pastor don’t collapse under the weight of poor planning. They manage budgets, keep the church legally compliant, build organizational systems, and ensure that ministries are resourced.
In many churches, the executive pastor is not in the pulpit every Sunday, and they may never become a household name. But their fingerprints are on every successful initiative. Just like Roy, the executive pastor makes sure the dream can actually live.
The Tension and the Trust
The relationship between lead pastor and executive pastor, like Walt and Roy, is a dance. Sometimes the visionary pushes too far, too fast. Sometimes the steward pulls too hard on the brakes. At their worst, they can frustrate each other endlessly.
But at their best, they create a synergy where vision and stability feed one another. The lead pastor trusts the executive pastor to ground their vision, and the executive pastor trusts the lead pastor to stretch their faith.
When both roles are honored, the church flourishes.
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