In this episode of The Backstage Pastors Podcast™️, Phil and Tyler sit down with longtime friend and ministry partner Ed Marcelle to explore the dynamics of the Lead Pastor (LP) and Executive Pastor (XP) relationship. Drawing from their shared history planting Terra Nova Church in upstate New York, the conversation traces Ed’s journey from solo church planter to national church planting leader. Along the way, they unpack lessons on burnout, vision, organizational leadership, team-based ministry, and the importance of mutual submission between LPs and XPs. The episode also highlights Ed’s transition into his current role serving church planters across the country and reflects on what it means to steward God’s investment in leaders for long-term, generational impact.

Note: This interview was recorded a few years ago, but we decided we liked it so much, we just had to keep it.

Resources Mentioned

• 🗣️Follow Ed

• 💻Harbor Church Planting Network

• Unstuck Event: Church Building Masterclass with Phil Taylor

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

02:00 – Ed’s first church plant and lessons from solo pastoring

07:00 – Discovering the power of LP and XP partnership

12:00 – Vision, risk, and planting Terra Nova Church

22:40 – Impact on church planting in the Northeast

26:00 – Steps 1, 2, and 100: visionaries and implementers

29:33 – Behind the scenes of a healthy LP/XP relationship

34:22 – Ed’s transition to Harbor Network

40:14 – Influencing leaders and long-term ministry impact

43:01 – Advice for Lead Pastors and Executive Pastors

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Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co.