the disney leadership myth that’s wrecking your church (part five.)
To make this parallel more concrete, let’s look at a few ways the Disney model applies to church leadership:
Example 1: Building a New Facility
A lead pastor may envision a new worship center that will enable the church to reach more people. He paints the picture of how this space will impact lives for Christ. But the executive pastor runs feasibility studies, negotiates with banks, manages the budget, and ensures the project is sustainable. Without the executive pastor, the dream may bankrupt the church. Without the lead pastor, the executive pastor may not have had the risk tolerance to get the dream off the ground.
Example 2: Launching New Ministries
The lead pastor dreams of launching a counseling center or expanding youth outreach. The executive pastor builds the staffing structures, HR policies, and liability protections that make the ministry possible.
Example 3: Navigating Crisis
During financial downturns or seasons of conflict, the lead pastor rallies the congregation with hope and faith, while the executive pastor quietly stabilizes the budget, reassures staff, and builds contingency plans. Together, they keep the church moving forward.
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