How to Be a Good Pastor

Last Updated: October 16, 2022

The pastor of a Christian fellowship must do more than preach a Sunday sermon. He must set an example for believers to follow. This article is not a description of pastoral duties, but offers a general and practical look at the personal qualities of good pastor.

Steps

1
Conquer the tyranny of selfishness.
- The heart of a pastor must be driven by a sincere love for God and a selfless love for others.
- A good pastor is free from the fear of men. A self-centered pastor will be constantly concerned about what people think of him and how he can impress people.
- A good pastor imitates the selflessness of Christ Jesus. A self-centered pastor is a taker, not a giver. He is motivated by "what is in this for me" instead of "what would God have me do". A self-focused pastor will preach his own opinions, shaping the meaning of the Scripture in order to impose his human will upon the listeners.
- Jesus told us that a follower must deny self."And He was saying to them all, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.'" Luke 9:23 New American Standard Bible (NASB) Therefore, a pastor who places his own interest ahead of the interests of his flock will never guide them to be true followers of Jesus.
2
Devote yourself to live in the presence of God.
- A good pastor must prioritize time to spend with God every day.
- A pastor's personal prayers must not be filled up by requests for God to go and do something for me. Rather, personal prayers are asking God to create a right heart within me so that God can work through me... not work for me.
- Find a quiet place of solitude that is appropriate for listening to the Holy Spirit. This may be kneeling in a traditional prayer closet or prayer-walking through your neighborhood: whatever allows you to be alone with God. Don't bring work or other unnecessary distractions. Read Scripture. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus in a deeper way. Meditate on what God is speaking to you. It may be helpful to keep a private journal.
- The time that you spend preparing your heart in quiet will create a stronger bond to the heart and mind of God and you will experience His abiding presence the remainder of the day as you conduct your duties as a good pastor.
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3
Lead by example.
- "Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock." 1st Peter 5:1-3 (NASB)
- A good pastor will live the Gospel before he preaches it. Without faithfulness outside the pulpit, preaching is a bunch of empty words. Those who preach the Word and don't live by it bring a bad reputation upon the Truth. You can't hide how you live. Be a wise pastor and build your life on the rock: hear God's Word and put it into action. "“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock." Matthew 7:24,25 [NASB]
4
Be a life-long student of the Bible.
- "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth." 2nd Timothy 2:15 [NASB]
- A good pastor knows how to conduct an inductive Bible study.
- A good pastor knows how to prepare an expository sermon.
- Create a personal library. There are many good Bible study resources that are available as digital books. Lookup time is reduced so that you can spend more time reading. Many resources can be obtained at no cost or greatly reduced cost compared to paper books.
5
Know the condition of your flock.
- "And pay attention to your herds; for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations. When the grass disappears, the new growth is seen, and the herbs of the mountains are gathered in, the lambs will be for your clothing, and the goats will bring the price of a field, and there will be goats’ milk enough for your food, for the food of your household, and sustenance for your maidens." Proverbs 27:23-27 [NASB]
- "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." Acts 20:28 [NASB]