April 26, 2024
Friday
All pastors have feet of clay. Not one of us is as godly as Jesus. We have all sinned. Finding the perfect pastor is not possible.
No litmus test will prove a pastor's heart. Only God can see the heart. However, people can observe and see if their pastors have the following characteristics.
Your Pastor Genuinely Loves God
Romans 8:7 (NASB 2020) 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,
If your pastor loves the things of the world, he will love the physical pleasure, possessions and pride that the Bible warns us about. He will disregard those whom God loves for he will only be interested in what you provide for him. He feigns his love for God. He has to constantly explain why he is so well-cared for, rich and influential. He readily tells you how many books he has written and how many have been purchased.
When your pastor loves God, it will be reflected in how he loves the things of God.
Your Pastor Has the Presence of the Holy Spirit
This can be seen in how he carefully presents the Word of God. He doesn't preach it as if he discovered it but because the Spirit revealed it to him.
John 14:16–17 (NASB 2020) 16 “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; 17 the Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you.
Your Pastor Is Obedient to the Spirit's Leading
This is a tough one. Every pastor needs to know the trends that people are taking. They need to know the best way to reach people for Christ and make disciples. However, their decisions need to be more than research from church growth gurus. They must pray for direction and lead the church that way because they know that the Spirit has led them in this good work.
Ephesians 2:10 (NASB 2020) 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Your Pastor Is Being Changed into the Likeness of Christ
Over time you will see your pastor grow in his faith. He will mature right before you. His messages will have deeper meanings. His demeanor will have a greater maturity. He may even correct some of the things he has done in the past. He does this because he is growing.
Philippians 1:6 (NASB 2020) 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.
Your Pastor Is Genuinely Humble
It isn't all about him. He sees himself as a slave of Christ. This is more than being a servant. He is absolutely dedicated to the cause of Christ no matter what it cost him. He takes the back seat to claiming rewards. He knows he doesn't deserve them any more than the one who drives the bus for the team should be rewarded for their win. He sees himself as a little child sitting at the feet of Jesus.
Matthew 18:3 (NASB 2020) 3 and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Your Pastor Genuinely Loves You
Some pastors fake their love. Recently, I have heard of pastors who openly told some of their members that they couldn't be their pastors. They wanted these people out of the church because they didn't like them. It makes me wonder how they read the Word of God and not understand this characteristic of the saved.
1 John 4:8 (NASB 2020) 8 The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
I am reasonably sure that this list is not complete but it is a start. When you find a pastor with these characteristics, follow him. He is a godly pastor who may still sin. He may still make mistakes but he will repent. Know that he seeks to follow God even if he misses the mark occasionally. Forgive him without being compelled to tell him how wrong he is. If he is godly, he will already know it.
Do your best to find a godly pastor.
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