In this episode of Backstage Pastors™️ Podcast, Phil and Tyler welcome veteran executive pastor and leadership consultant Tim Stevens for an in-depth conversation on ministry leadership, organizational health, and sustainable service in the second chair. Tim reflects on nearly 40 years of ministry experience spanning nonprofit leadership, Granger Community Church, Vanderbloemen, Willow Creek, and now Leading Smart.

The conversation explores the evolving role of the executive pastor, including the tension between being highly executive-minded versus deeply pastoral. Tim shares insights from his e-book 40 Lessons in 40 Years: Wisdom for the Long Haul, unpacking lessons about visionary leaders and integrators, why systems are actually pastoral tools, healthy governance, leadership burnout, and managing energy for long-term ministry health.

Tim also gives listeners an inside look at stepping into Willow Creek during one of the church’s most difficult seasons and explains how focusing on “the next right thing” helped guide the rebuilding process.

Guest Resources

• 🗣️Follow Tim
• 📕40 Lessons in 40 Years: Wisdom for the Long Haul
• 💻 Right Roles Assessment
• 💻LeadingSmart.com
• 🎙️Tim’s Podcast
• 📅Leading Smart 2026 Gathering

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From Our Partners

💻 ⁠The Church Hub⁠: The Church Hub serves pastors, ministry leaders, and their spouses through equipping and training resources. Learn more at https://thechurchhub.org

Connect with Phil Taylor

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✉️ ⁠⁠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

04:05 Introducing Tim Stevens

07:18 Tim’s Ministry Journey and Leadership Background 10:18 Executive Pastor Wiring and Leadership Styles

13:42 40 Lessons in 40 Years

15:26 Why Visionary Leaders Need Integrators

18:01 Why Systems Are Pastoral

22:00 Sustainable Leadership and Managing Energy

26:06 Board Alignment and Healthy Governance

30:30 Leaving Church Ministry for Vanderbloemen and Leadership Consulting

34:10 Rebuilding Willow Creek Through Crisis

39:58 How Leading Smart Helps Churches Thrive

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Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co.

Backstage Pastors™️ is a Registered Trademark