Episode Overview

Podcast: unSeminary Podcast
Host: Rich Birch
Guest: Jeremy Peterson, Executive Pastor at One Church
Episode Title: Strong, Strained or Stuck: How Executive Pastors Can Build Trust in 2026
Date: January 21, 2026

This episode centers on the pivotal relationship between executive pastors (XPs) and lead/senior pastors—unpacking data from a national executive pastor survey, practical strategies for trust-building, and how these lessons ripple outward to staff and emerging leaders. Jeremy Peterson, a seasoned XP, shares wisdom from his leadership at a thriving multisite church and reflects on empowering the next generation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The State of XP-Lead Pastor Relationships

• Survey Results: Over 22% of executive pastors report uncertainty or strain in their relationship with their lead pastor ([02:27]).
• Jeremy's Perception: That number might be even higher in reality, suggesting this is a widespread challenge ([03:26]).
• Core Issue: Trust—XPs often wonder, “Does my lead pastor trust me?” and sometimes, “Do I trust my lead pastor?”
  "When there’s trust or mistrust... that can cause a lot of tension and frustration if it’s not addressed in some capacity."
  —Jeremy ([03:26])

2. How Trust is Built—and Broken

• Reliability & Consistency: Being someone who does what they say, is calm under pressure, and is dependable ([05:21]).
• Truthfulness & Transparency: Sharing the “bad” numbers or difficult information builds credibility.
  "If you’re holding back all the truth, trust starts eroding over time."
  —Jeremy ([05:21])
• Clarity & Communication: Avoiding “fix-it” mode without understanding the lead pastor’s vision, and syncing up consistently ([07:51]).
• Intentional Rhythms:
  • Standing Monday Lunches ensure regular vision and camaraderie alignment.
    "Unless there’s some random exception... Mondays is really that chance to be able to sync up, make sure that we’re on the same page."
    —Jeremy ([07:51])
  • Five-Minute Drop-ins: Short, frequent conversations prevent small issues from growing ([10:17]).
• No-Surprise Principle: Encourage open, phone-based communication to prevent misalignment ([11:47]).
  "Always choose to believe the best instead of assuming the worst."
  —Jeremy ([11:47])

3. The Balance: Best Friends or Co-Workers?

• The relationship doesn’t need to be a close friendship, but should involve some camaraderie—shared interests, care about each other’s lives, openness to conversations beyond work ([13:35]).
• Being too close can sometimes hinder truthfulness ([14:32]).
  "I don’t know how healthy it is for you to be best friends, because that could actually keep you from being fully truthful with them."
  —Jeremy ([14:32])

4. Trust’s Ripple Effect on Staff and Culture

• Honest Reporting & “No Bad Information”: Avoiding a culture of hiding mistakes—bad news should be shared, not covered up ([19:40]–[21:02]). "There’s no bad information… If we create organizations that are trying to hide the truth, that will erode trust long term."
  —Rich ([21:02])
• Impacts Organization-wide Health: Staff, like children with parents, sense when things are off; trust at the top sets the climate ([16:37]).

5. The Transformative Power of Prayer

• Daily Prayer: For senior/lead pastor and their family (“by name”), seen as a key, daily discipline for softening hearts and strengthening bonds ([21:39], [22:27])
  "Praying for him, praying for each of his kids by name… I think God really takes that, honors that, and helps kind of build trust through that."
  —Jeremy ([22:27])
• Practical Staff Takeaway: Staff-wide commitment to praying for each other minimizes friction and humanizes team members ([24:49]).

6. Empowering and Trusting Younger Leaders

• Residency Programs: Jeremy describes intentionally developing, empowering, and trusting younger staff through hands-on residencies ([25:55]).
• Culture of Failing Fast & Cheap: Encourage risk-taking and learning from mistakes in a supportive environment ([25:55]).
• Saying Yes to Opportunities: Residents are urged to be “scrappy,” take on a variety of challenges, and develop broad utility ([25:55]). "They’re willing to say yes, they’re willing to take some risks knowing that the team believes in them."
  —Jeremy ([25:55])

7. Adaptability for the Future: 2026 and Beyond

• Jeremy foresees greater reliance on “tentmaker” staff—those who serve in ministry while also working outside the church ([34:28]).
• Focus on "scrappy," versatile staff who do more than one role ([34:28]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Trust is really interesting because… time is what really builds on trust, but it’s something that can be lost overnight." —Jeremy ([05:21])
• "If you’re not constantly syncing up… that’s where some of the trust can break over time." —Jeremy ([07:51])
• "You can only overcommit and underdeliver a couple times before trust will start to erode." —Jeremy ([16:37])
• "There’s no bad information. If we create organizations that are trying to hide the truth, that will erode trust long term." —Rich ([21:02])
• "Just take 20 minutes a day and pray for them… As it doesn’t cost much other than some time." —Jeremy ([24:49])
• "We hope it doesn’t cost us a lot [to fail], but ultimately that’s a safe place… allowed to fail, allowed to try things." —Jeremy ([25:55])
• "[The future is] finding staff who are utility players... I can help out in these four or five different areas instead of just… one skill set." —Jeremy ([34:28])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–01:42 — Introduction & Jeremy’s Background
• 02:27–03:26 — Survey Data: XP-Lead Pastor Relationship Stats
• 03:26–05:21 — Nature & Causes of Relationship Tension
• 05:21–07:51 — Consistency, Truthfulness, Early Signs of Eroding Trust
• 07:51–11:12 — Clarity, Camaraderie, Standing Lunches, 5-min Check-ins
• 11:47–13:20 — Example: Surprises & No-Surprise Principle
• 13:35–15:41 — Friendship vs. Co-Worker Dynamic
• 16:37–19:40 — Impact of Trust on Staff, “Speed of Trust,” Stephen Covey Reference
• 19:40–21:02 — “No Bad Information,” Openness in Organizations
• 21:39–24:49 — Power of Prayer for Leaders and Staff
• 25:55–29:50 — Empowering Younger Leaders & Residency Program
• 31:16–33:02 — Residency Details & Hands-on Training
• 33:02–34:04 — XP Summit (xpsummit.org) Conference Details
• 34:28–35:39 — Looking Forward: Tentmakers & Utility Staff in 2026

Practical Takeaways

• Build trust through consistency, truthfulness, and regular communication.
• Establish intentional rhythms for check-ins and non-work conversations.
• Adopt a “no surprises” approach—address issues early, directly, and with humility.
• Incorporate prayer for team members and their families as a powerful relational discipline.
• Create environments where younger leaders are empowered to risk, fail, and try again.
• Value adaptable, “scrappy” staff who can serve in multiple areas as church models evolve.

Resources Mentioned

• Books:
  • The Speed of Trust by Stephen Covey ([16:37])
• Event:
  • XPSummit.org — Executive Pastors Summit, May 4–6, 2026, Dallas/Fort Worth ([33:02])
• Connect with Jeremy/One Church:
  • Churchone ([35:47])

This episode provides an honest, practical, and inspiring blueprint for executive pastors—and anyone navigating team dynamics in the church—looking to move from stuck or strained to strong, trustworthy leadership.