#1 Question Asked….

My digits and email are getting lit up with planters and pastors asking me about our move to bring on Malcolm on as our Executive Pastor three weeks ago. Let me say upfront, it could be the BEST move we have EVER made at The Stone.

In just three weeks, I already feel like a totally different person. I have been able to lead, cast vision, and focus on my teaching like never before. Seriously, I can’t tell you how much I am in the “zone” when it comes to studying and creativity right now. It is off the hook.

Everyone thought it would be hard for me to turn loose of so many things but it has been easy and it has been easy because it is Malcolm doing it. I have been asked over and over what went into our “hiring” process for Malcolm so I thought I would simply share what went into OUR process. This probably won’t work for everyone.

1. Malcolm was one of my best friends - He has been with us since before we launched, he served every week, our families hung out, my wife at one time worked with his wife in a business, our kids play together, etc. He had my back BEFORE he was our executive pastor and before he worked on our staff. I am a FREAK about loyalty. I don’t trust a lot of people and this role had to be someone I trusted. Has it changed our friendship? A little. But we both sat down and decided this role and what God wanted was more important the ability to keep things like they have always been.
2. Malcolm was from within - I tried to bring in an outsider to fill this role and it did not work at all. The executive pastor HAS to know the culture, DNA, and vision of the church BEFORE he has the job. Malcolm already proved he knew that stuff. I don’t think you can EVER bring an Executive in from the outside. It has to be an insider.
3. He doesn’t need the spotlight - Sounds weird but the role of Executive is a thankless job at times. In many ways you are just as vital as the Lead Pastor but the Lead Pastor gets the credit. You work tirelessly behind the scenes and 99% of the people never see that. Many guys struggle with that. I’ll be honest, I would struggle with that. Malcolm could care less about the spotlight. He cares about seeing the Gospel advanced.
4. He worked for free - Yep. To be honest, we never actually hired Malcolm. He started last June for FREE as our Connection Pastor and drew NO salary until September. Even then, he never knew what the check would be until he got it. That made the decision easy.
5. He thinks in systems - I cast vision and instantly Malcolm is thinking HOW to make that happen. He is thinking steps and how we get from here to there. Your executive has to be a systems guy.
6. He is teachable - Malcolm has NEVER done a role like this before. He was a school teacher before working at The Stone. However, he won’t hesitate to get on the phone and learning from others who are getting it done. I can make sure he learns how to be an executive pastor. I can’t teach loyalty and vision. Chunks has a great post on this here.
7. He understands me - I will NOT lie. Working for me is HARD. Malcolm understands me like few people. He knows my personality and the way I am. He knows how to respond when I am mad. He knows how to respond when I am in a funk. He understands when I am serious or when I am cutting up.
8. He’s a leader - People follow him. It is that simple.
9. Our staff respects him - Getting respect from our crew is HARD. Malcolm gets that and that is important.
10. Our people love him - The bottom line is our people love him already. I didn’t have to sell them on him, they already loved and respected him.
11. He doesn’t want to be the Lead Pastor - I don’t hire people that want to preach or be lead men. Not against them but if they feel called to do that then there will come a time when they will leave and do that. I want a guy having my back that is in it for the long haul.
12. He is NOT a YES man - Publicly, you will never hear him say NO but behind closed doors he has a mind and isn’t afraid to share his opinion. I want that. I don’t need people who won’t share their thoughts with me.
13. He understands that The Stone is my vision and that I am the Lead Pastor - Again this is a respect and honor issue. Malcolm knows God called me to lead RSC and he is fine with that and loves that.
14. My wife approved - Yep, I asked. When it comes to my assistant and the role of executive pastor I sat down and asked DeAnna who she thought would have my back and who I could trust. I actually did the same thing when bringing on Preston and Tim. I value her opinion.
15. He felt called to do it - Yes, he did it because I asked but he also will tell you that years ago God told him that he would be in that type of role.

Like I said, we are only 3 weeks in but a year from now we will be double in size because of this move. You asked, so that was our thought process in that move.