What The Church Needs In A Pastor

The church in general is in dire need. Our church particular is in dire need. There are many things that the modern American church has, that it doesn’t need. There are things that she has that are superfluous. The church does not need a pastor to be a celebrity. The church does not need a pastor who is a brilliant CEO and business leader. The church doesn’t need a pastor who is a brilliant scholar. The church doesn’t need a pastor who is an eloquent speaker able to capture the attention of large crowds. The church doesn’t need a pastor who is wrapped in the perception of perfection.
So, what does the church need in a pastor? The church needs a pastor who is godly. The church needs a pastor who lives out the faith, not in absolute perfection, but in sincerity and integrity. The church needs a pastor who is devoted to the scriptures. It needs a pastor who feeds himself on the Word of God and is content to feed the sheep of his flock a steady diet of the Word of God. No parlor tricks or rhetorical masterpieces necessary. The church needs a pastor who is consistent in pursuing intimacy with God in prayer. The church needs a pastor who is passionate about the gospel. He understands, explains, and lives out the gospel. The church needs a pastor who, because of the gospel, is mission minded and evangelistic.
If the pastor is the not the John Mazwellian leader, or a world renowned orator, or a mastermind executive, she can manage. But, if the church doesn’t have a godly, devoted, passionate, committed pastor, she will be in trouble.
I am praying that my church will have such a pastor. The man they have now is not quite there, but God isn’t finished working on him yet. I am praying that God will make me into the pastor that my church needs on a daily basis.