Pastoral Excellency

PASTORAL EXCELLENCE:

What Makes A Good Pastor?

My beloved brethren, after 20 years of serving as a pastor—five years part-time and fifteen full-time, I have learnt a few lessons on pastoral leadership. 

While many factors can contribute to the success of a pastor, these four things stand out for me.

1.Personal Spiritual Growth:

A pastor should prioritize personal spiritual development to inspire and guide others.

2. Family Well-being: 

The wellness of the pastor's family determine the wellness of his assignment. 

A pastor should Invest time and energy in his family to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

3. Congregational Care:

People don't care how well you preach, they care about how well you care.

Nurture your congregation through compassionate care, effective teaching, and intentional discipleship.

4. Community Engagement:

A serious pastor should actively engage with the community around him and around his church.

Public engagement is an opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ through service and compassion to the public.

My experience also teaches me that some certain "good things" do not necessarily make someone a better pastor. 

A few of these are:

1. A big church facility 

2. A big congregation 

3. A big church income 

4. A big promotion 

5. A big salary 

6. A big choir 

7. A big staff

8. A big title 

9. A big fame 

10. A big ministry. 

Remember, the true measure of a pastor's success does not lies in external accolades but in:

•The depth of their spiritual connection,

•The strength of their relationships, and 

•The impact they make on the lives of others.

There is no perfect pastor anywhere. 

We keep learning. 

We keep growing.

I conclude with a charge from Apostle Paul in Acts 20:28 KJV,

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, 

and to all the flock, 

over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, 

to feed the church of God, 

which he hath purchased with his own blood"

Boniface Amani Gichina (CPM)