Many of my articles come from the perspective of pastors. That will not change in the future. I am an advocate of pastors and I desire God’s best for them. I have no plans to change my advocacy role.
As a change of pace, however, I recently asked a few hundred laypersons to write down what they desired of a pastor. Their responses were open-ended, and there was no limitation on the number of items they could list. Though my approach was not scientific, these laypersons did represent over sixty churches.
Here are their top ten responses in order of frequency. Since many of them gave one or more sentences as a response, I can provide a representative comment by each of the responses.
- Love of congregation. “If we know that our pastor loves us, everything else falls in place. If he doesn’t, nothing else matters.”
- Effective preaching. “I don’t have any expectation that my preacher be one of the best in the world, I just want to know that he has spent time in the Word each week to teach us effectively and consistently.”
- Strong character. “No pastor is perfect, but I do want a pastor whose character is above reproach on moral, family, and financial issues.”
- Good work ethic. “I don’t want either a workaholic pastor or a lazy pastor. Unfortunately, our last two pastors have been obviously lazy.”
- Casts a vision. “Our church has so much possibility; I want to hear what we will do to make a difference in our community and the world.”
- Demonstrates healthy leadership. “Most of the pastors in my church have demonstrated a good balance; they have been strong leaders but not dictators.”
- Joyous. “Our current pastor is a man of joy. His joy and enthusiasm are contagious. I love him for that!”
- Does not yield to critics. “I know that every pastor serving today has his critics. And I know it’s tough to deal with them. I just want these pastors to know that we supporters are in the majority. Please don’t let the minority critics dictate how you lead and serve.”
- Transparent. “Every pastor that I have had has been open and transparent about the church and the direction we are headed. It sure has made our church healthier.”
- Models evangelism. “Our pastor is passionate about sharing the gospel. His heart and attitude are contagious.”
What do you think about this list? What would you add from the perspective of either a pastor or a layperson?
Posted on January 14, 2013
With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America.
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181 Comments
I think this is a good post..my pastor is so nice. her name is pastor carol. she always is wearing a pretty dress and she even makes us do exercises. it is fun. i like being in her class.
Good post. I agree with the list. Being a pastor is a high calling and a tough job. Strong, caring pastors who set a godly example are a tremendous blessing to their congregations and communities. May God strengthen and guide all our pastors!
blanche thank you so much for this list.It sure opened my eyes to the fact that i am so blessed to have a Pastor like i have Brent Stancil .He tells it like it is right from the word of God.He lets his light shine and that is all a Pastor needs to do. God will supply all the rest.
#10 is virtually non-existent among pastors.
I think the following is necessary for a pastor:
1. Committed to serve God and His people whole heartedly, not half heartedly.
2. Passionate to help God’s people grow spiritually (discipleship/mentoring) and not just satisfied by running the religious show each week.
3. Listen to the congregation with a humble heart, not running the church as if he is the owner and has everything figured out already.
4. Most importanly having the Holy Spirit leading his service, not by the flesh.
5. Accept imperfect people or people with different opinions and help them grow by putting them in proper positions in church, not only use people who never have different opinions.
Call by God to be a Sheppard and an Overseer. One who is called to lead and the breed leaders, and is passionate for the flock. He is a fisher of men and feed the hungry (spiritually, mentally and physically). He leads by example, and has a gentle spirit. He is clear, and transparent as crystal. He may not be fully recognized and appreciated, but his fruits speak of what God is doing through him. A pastor, simply a man of God:
its not how you live on earth that matters, but it is what you live behind when you are gone that really counts, and that alone defines the character traits of a pastor or any leader at any level. it reveals one’s agenda based on the function of their gift, and it puts you inline with God’s will for a good pastor (read 1timothy 3:1-7).
you can never know what you have in God until you find who you are in God, as leaders let us invest time in finding ourselves in GOD first, and he will find us in the world (Matthew 6:33). always remember that In every head there is a brain, in every brain is a mindset, in every mindset, is a thought process/way of thinking, in every thought process are mind molders/shapers, and in mind molders there are agendas.
Thank you for posting this! My husband and I recently had the displeasure of leaving a church due to the transparency issue. Our hearts are broken, but we know we couldn’t stay under such a secretive and despotic leadership style. Everyone in the congregation was on a ‘need to know’ basis…. and only a small, elite inner-circle were let in on what was going on with finances, the vision, etc…
It was frustrating and sad.
pastor, you have just inspired me again, if our pastors could actually desire and follow the ethics of ministry, the church will be more healthy and respected. i dont want to look at it in the order numbered point as some persons asserted, but i see them all as important as it is needful for the church. God bless you man of God, continuin the good work.
What is the proper etiquette these days to ask the Pastor a theological question? And should we expect an answer in a reasonable amount of time?
I grew up with battling parents of two denominations, and have since converted to the one I am most comfortable with practices and teachings. Growing up our parish decided to build a school before the church. And they were pushy about money. So, I did not experience worship in a sanctuary. It was in the gym, in close rows of metal folding chairs. I went to public school, not there.
I want to learn more about the beliefs of my chosen religion. I have moved all over for work, following a former husband around, and life. Had friends of all faiths (some were Minister’s children) and have been in many different churches as a visitor. I also had bad experiences, twice, with Pastors playing favorites to the select group that ran the church, so I am leery now.
I met with the associate Pastor of my new church who was falling asleep. Yes, I am needy right now. I have no family, illness took my money, I live in pain with a disfigurement every day, and a drunk with a long record wrecked my parked car an hour after I moved here. I am not from here, am much more educated than most locals and do not like drinking and all that goes with it that is an acceptable part of daily life. I am trying to rebuild my life and get back into the workforce, wherever that may be. I believe that God is everywhere and do not go to church every Sunday. I am trying to fit in with a group that raises money for the church but is really more of a social hour of lifelong members that seem to be catered to.
This is a stop along the way. I want to contribute to my church and feel like a valued member. Am I expecting too much in assuming a phone and email message asking a simple, direct question about my religion’s viewpoint to be returned? Am I doing something wrong.
Susan –
I am sorry for all the pain you are experiencing. Pastors are humans like the rest of us. You should have the same expectations of them as you would other Christians.
the is very good posting,As a nigeria Pastor based in Awka,I would like to say that a Prophetic pastor is good.We need Holy spirit to lead us.
So are these in order? I read them to my wife and we both agreed I was 8 out of 10. With #1 and # 7 being situational.