The Accidental Executive Pastor with Becca Knudsen
In Episode 10 of Backstage Pastors™️, Phil and Tyler sit down with Becca Knudsen, Executive Pastor at Arvada Vineyard Church, to discuss her unique ministry journey, leading alongside a nationally influential lead pastor, and navigating major organizational transitions. Becca shares how an unexpected path—from Young Life leader to opera student to church administrator—ultimately led her into executive pastoral leadership.
The conversation explores the realities of serving at a church whose lead pastor, Jay Pathak, also serves as the national director of Vineyard USA. Becca reflects on the spiritual, organizational, and personal challenges that accompanied that transition, including increased responsibility, leadership development, and organizational growing pains.
She also provides an inside look at Arvada Vineyard’s decision to move away from a multi-site model and transition campuses into independent churches. Becca explains the discernment process, lessons learned, and why the church would still choose to plant churches in the future—while intentionally building toward eventual independence.
Mentioned Resources
* ⛪️ Arvada Vineyard Church [https://arvadavineyard.org/]
* 💻 Learn more about the Vineyard movement [https://vineyardusa.org/]
* 📅 Check out the Vineyard Gatherings [https://vineyardusa.org/events/]
* 📅The Church Hub Cohorts [https://www.thechurchhub.org/]
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 [https://thechurchhub.org]
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✉️ phil@backstagepastors.org
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📚 Books by Phil [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Phil-Taylor/author/B06VWSCCV6?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=8e6e4bb1-3a62-4ec3-a6eb-2d8c6bd776cc]
💻 backstagepastors.org [http://backstagepastors.org]
💻plainjoestudios.com [http://plainjoestudios.com]
Connect with Tyler Drewitz
✉️ tyler@myxp.church
🗣️ @tylerdrewitz [https://www.instagram.com/tylerdrewitz/]
💻 myxp.church [https://www.myxp.church/]
💻ridgelineprinting.com [http://ridgelineprinting.com]
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CHAPTERS
03:47 – Becca’s Unconventional Journey into Ministry Leadership
13:18 – Leading Alongside the National Director of Vineyard USA
20:16 – The Challenges of Organizational Change and Staff Transitions
22:45 – Why Arvada Vineyard Reconsidered the Multi-Site Model
27:00 – Discernment, Independence, and Church Planting Strategy
35:00 – How the Congregation Experienced the Transition
37:32 – Building a Staff Rule of Life
42:00 – Sabbath, Solitude, Friendship, and Sustainable Ministry
46:00 – Final Leadership Reflections and Closing Thoughts
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Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co.
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