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Scott Hutchinson
02-28-2007, 06:04 PM
I currently don't pastor a church , however I might someday if God sees fit and opens the door.I'm open to His will and His direction.
But what makes a great Christian Pastor?

Someone once told me a great Pastor don't have to be a great preacher , but he does need to have the best interest of his congregation at heart.

So makes a great pastor?

IAintMovin
02-28-2007, 06:07 PM
I currently don't pastor a church , however I might someday if God sees fit and opens the door.I'm open to His will and His direction.
But what makes a great Christian Pastor?

Someone once told me a great Pastor don't have to be a great preacher , but he does need to have the best interest of his congregation at heart.

So makes a great pastor?

One that will do the right thing.

Love people

Scott Hutchinson
02-28-2007, 06:08 PM
I do love people.

LaVonne
02-28-2007, 06:51 PM
Love the people, was my first thought.

Fonix
02-28-2007, 07:30 PM
I think there is a big difference between a preacher and a Pastor, I think the thing that is a very important is the people genuinely know you care for them.

jillian
02-28-2007, 07:38 PM
I currently don't pastor a church , however I might someday if God sees fit and opens the door.I'm open to His will and His direction.
But what makes a great Christian Pastor?

Someone once told me a great Pastor don't have to be a great preacher , but he does need to have the best interest of his congregation at heart.

So makes a great pastor?

A true and sincere love for souls.

My deceased pastor was a perfect and wonderful pastor.
He taught me to hate sin but love the sinner. So many can not seperate the two.

My unsaved husband thought the world of him. He never came to church, but had the utmost respect for my pastor. He knew my Pastor respected him.

When there is a sincere love for souls everything else will fall into place...

Neck
02-28-2007, 08:54 PM
I currently don't pastor a church , however I might someday if God sees fit and opens the door.I'm open to His will and His direction.
But what makes a great Christian Pastor?

Someone once told me a great Pastor don't have to be a great preacher , but he does need to have the best interest of his congregation at heart.

So makes a great pastor?


Scott, Even if all was equal. If 2 men have the same preaching and teaching ability. The same honest character and so on.

The man with the heart for people, one who will take the time to call you.

The one who will say thanks for being a solid saint.

One who can thank his folks from the pulpit.

He can't control the people.

But he can contriol who he is....

Those are my thoughts.....

Carpenter
02-28-2007, 08:55 PM
A great pastor has the perspective that he is a mentor.

Nahum
02-28-2007, 08:58 PM
A great pastor is always smiling, never angry, and allows every wind of false doctrine to float through his church. Anything else would be legalistic.

LaGirl
02-28-2007, 08:59 PM
I currently don't pastor a church , however I might someday if God sees fit and opens the door.I'm open to His will and His direction.
But what makes a great Christian Pastor?

Someone once told me a great Pastor don't have to be a great preacher , but he does need to have the best interest of his congregation at heart.

So makes a great pastor?

he honest and love the people

Rhoni
02-28-2007, 09:00 PM
A great Pastor loves the sheep of God's pasture enough to feed, clothe, and protect them.

Blessings, Rhoni

seguidordejesus
02-28-2007, 09:09 PM
A great Pastor loves the sheep of God's pasture enough to feed, clothe, and protect them.

Blessings, Rhoni

You've just described the US government!

Oh yeah, you can't see my posts :beatdeadhorse

Neck
02-28-2007, 10:20 PM
You've just described the US government!

Oh yeah, you can't see my posts :beatdeadhorse

I'm going to take seguidordejesus's posts to our local university writing center and get him some professional help

Felicity
02-28-2007, 10:22 PM
What makes a great pastor?

Good looks! :killinme

Truly Blessed
03-01-2007, 12:14 AM
What makes a great pastor?

Good looks! :killinmeI am so disappointed! You told me just the other day that I am a good pastor. And to think you were simply referring to my good looks! :killinme :killinme

MrsMcD
03-01-2007, 06:40 AM
Love the saints as Christ loves.

I prefer a pastor that loves people above a pastor that can preach well.

Of course, I had rather have a pastor that loves folks and that can preach well also. :praying

Coonskinner
03-01-2007, 06:55 AM
Maybe to start with, one who is a Christian and preaches Truth?

Nobody has mentioned that one yet. :)

Rhoni
03-01-2007, 06:57 AM
Maybe to start with, one who is a Christian and preaches Truth?

Nobody has mentioned that one yet. :)

That's a given:highfive

Blessings, Rhoni

Coonskinner
03-01-2007, 07:10 AM
That's a given:highfive

Blessings, Rhoni

I wish it were, but I have lived long enough to know better.

The absolute first requirement that would be utterly non-negotiable if I were looking for a church for my family to attend would be a pastor who preaches Truth.

I can survive a less than winsome personality, people skills that aren't great, preaching and oratory that doesn't go over the top, etc. but the one thing absolutely necessary is that he must preach to me and my children the Truth of God's Word without fear or favor.

I think people who leave truth preaching churches and go somewhere else because of a "better" program, or bigger youth group, or whatever, and think they can just teach their kids at home the proper doctrine to contradict what they hear at their new "progressive" church are stupid, plain and simple.

whollyHis
03-01-2007, 07:25 AM
If he believes in morality...and doesn't succomb (sp) to temptation.

So, I guess what I am saying is- If he has a good prayer life.

Esther
03-01-2007, 07:43 AM
A great pastor must first have a great relationship with God.

1. Spend much time in prayer.
2. Spend much time in the Word.
3. Fast when he can.
4. Be available to his people.

I think the more time spent on #1 will require less time spent on #4. :)

A man spending time with God building a relationship first with God will give him the wisdom to pastor, the peace to take the troubles to the Lord instead of trying to carry them himself. That makes it healthy for both him, his family and his flock.

Spending much time in prayer develops deeper love than can be shared with the flock teaching them to love.

Spending much time in the Word, gives him wisdom to answer the questions of the flock.

But this is not necessarily the normal, but I do believe there are pastors out there that do follow this creed.:ty

Digging4Truth
03-01-2007, 07:48 AM
The same thing that makes a great parent...

Someone who ultimate goal is work themselves out of a job.

As a parent.. my greatest goal is to work myself out of a job.

I want to teach my kids to be self sufficient.
I want to teach my kids to stand on their own.
I want to teach my kids to think for themselves.
I want to teach my kids to live responsibly.
I want to teach my kids to be such strong people that I work myself out of a job.

Nahum
03-01-2007, 07:56 AM
I wish it were, but I have lived long enough to know better.

The absolute first requirement that would be utterly non-negotiable if I were looking for a church for my family to attend would be a pastor who preaches Truth.

I can survive a less than winsome personality, people skills that aren't great, preaching and oratory that doesn't go over the top, etc. but the one thing absolutely necessary is that he must preach to me and my children the Truth of God's Word without fear or favor.

I think people who leave truth preaching churches and go somewhere else because of a "better" program, or bigger youth group, or whatever, and think they can just teach their kids at home the proper doctrine to contradict what they hear at their new "progressive" church are stupid, plain and simple.

I totally agree with you. It's amazing what some will sacrifice for a little pleasure. Kids, doctrine, relationship with God; it would be just as easy for them to join the local Moose Lodge. Same results. :dunno

Tina
03-01-2007, 08:24 AM
The perfect pastor preaches exactly 10 minutes.

He condemns sin roundly but never hurts anyone's feelings.

He works from 8 AM until midnight and is also the church janitor.

The perfect pastor makes $40 a week, wears good clothes, drives a good car, buys good books, and donates $30 a week to the church.

He is 29 years old and has 40 years experience.

He never forgets a name and spends most of his time praying to God.

Above all, he is handsome.

He also knows when somebody is sick and needs visitation even without anyone telling him about it.

He loves to spend time with his family and the perfect pastor has no problem with you dropping in unexpectedly.

And he also spends most of his time in preparation to speak God's Word. He remembers everyone's birthdate and of course, their anniversary dates as well.

Before and after services, he never fails to speak to each person present and will also take the time to listen to you for 15 minutes and pray for each person no less than 10 minutes after listening to them.

The perfect pastor always smiles and tells you what you want to hear.

He also goes out to eat after church with each individual family, spreading his time evenly between all, and he also pays for all their meals. The perfect pastor eats nutritiously, gets his rest, exercises daily, and is always there to listen to you night or day.

The perfect pastor has a burning desire to work with teenagers, and he spends most of his time with the senior citizens.

He smiles all the time with a straight face because he has a sense of humor that keeps him seriously dedicated to his church.

He makes 15 home visits a day and is always in his office to be handy when needed.

The perfect pastor always has time for church council and all of its committees. He never misses the meeting of any church organization and is always busy evangelizing the unchurched.

He meets with the all the other pastors in town because they all have so much time on their hands.

He also stays focused on the vision of the house. And he attends all the town meetings for PR's sake.

He takes family vacations and attends all the latest church and ministers conferences and listens to your favorite TV preachers and is completely up to date on each prominent TV preacher's messages.

He spends all day each Saturday preparing the Sunday sermon, and he focuses on his family too.

He also doesn't overburden the church finances, so he holds down a full time secular job as well.

He never spends your tithes on his children's Baskin Robins Ice Cream cones.

And the perfect pastor is always in the next church over!

If your pastor does not measure up, simply send this notice to six other churches that are tired of their pastor, too. Then bundle up your pastor and send him to the church at the top of the list. If everyone cooperates, in one week you will receive 1,643 pastors. One of them should be perfect. Have faith in this letter. One church broke the chain and got its old pastor back in less than three months.


:tease

*Disclaimer-- The above was found on the net-- this is NOT my personal opinion of what a pastor should be. (Figured I'd better throw that in there just so I don't have to find a flame retardant suit to wear ;) )

StillStanding
03-01-2007, 08:27 AM
I wish it were, but I have lived long enough to know better.

The absolute first requirement that would be utterly non-negotiable if I were looking for a church for my family to attend would be a pastor who preaches Truth.

I can survive a less than winsome personality, people skills that aren't great, preaching and oratory that doesn't go over the top, etc. but the one thing absolutely necessary is that he must preach to me and my children the Truth of God's Word without fear or favor.

I think people who leave truth preaching churches and go somewhere else because of a "better" program, or bigger youth group, or whatever, and think they can just teach their kids at home the proper doctrine to contradict what they hear at their new "progressive" church are stupid, plain and simple.


Assuming that all preachers are called of God, in what order would you put importance of these attributes?

Love of God
Love of people
Doctrinal purity
oratory skills
people skills
business sense
humility

Coonskinner
03-01-2007, 08:30 AM
Assuming that all preachers are called of God, in what order would you put importance of these attributes?

Love of God
Love of people
Doctrinal purity
oratory skills
people skills
business sense
humility

The first three are kind of a package deal, as I see it.

If you really love God, you will love Truth and people.

Humility also is usually in evidence if a man loves God as he should.

After that, people skills are important before oratory.

If he has the people skills and humility, he can surround himself with men who have great business sense and work with them.

It is difficult to make a list in a linear fashion with the qualities you named.

Felicity
03-01-2007, 08:40 AM
]I can survive a less than winsome personality, people skills that aren't great, preaching and oratory that doesn't go over the top, etc. but the one thing absolutely necessary is that he must preach to me and my children the Truth of God's Word without fear or favor.This reminded me once again of what a very successful pastor and district leader said more than once ......... that if you will feed the people a good, balanced proper diet i.e. "good preaching" that they'll put up with a LOT of other stuff.

Good preaching is very important. Doesn't mean you have to be a skilled or polished or high flying orator. Just a good preacher who preaches the Word and feeds the people.

Of course there are other things that are important too. Many of them have already been mentioned.

Coonskinner
03-01-2007, 08:48 AM
This reminded me once again of what a very successful pastor and district leader said more than once ......... that if you will feed the people a good, balanced proper diet i.e. "good preaching" that they'll put up with a LOT of other stuff.

Good preaching is very important. Doesn't mean you have to be a skilled or polished or high flying orator. Just a good preacher who preaches the Word and feeds the people.

Of course there are other things that are important too. Many of them have already been mentioned.

There is a lot of truth and common sense in this post, Aunty.

I am not a gifted business man, orator, or administrator.

I do not have much in the way of personal charisma or people skills above the average.

But one thing I do try to do is put something on the table when it comes time to preach.

that is not to say that I am not striving to improve myself in the areas where I am weak.

i am.

i have been reading some books lately that I don't really enjoy because my pastor recommended them, and I will do what he says.

whollyHis
03-01-2007, 08:50 AM
There is a lot of truth and common sense in this post, Aunty.

I am not a gifted business man, orator, or administrator.

I do not have much in the way of personal charisma or people skills above the average.

But one thing I do try to do is put something on the table when it comes time to preach.

that is not to say that I am not striving to improve myself in the areas where I am weak.

i am.

i have been reading some books lately that I don't really enjoy because my pastor recommended them, and I will do what he says.



*GASP* Is this an example of- dare I say it- SUBMISSION???!!!

Coonskinner
03-01-2007, 08:56 AM
*GASP* Is this an example of- dare I say it- SUBMISSION???!!!

Sister, I am not very smart, but I am smart enough to know that I never go wrong by obeying the most important man in my spiritual life.

I don't always like what he tells me, but I always liek the results of obedience.

Even when I don't enjoy "obeying," I like "having obeyed."

Sherri
03-01-2007, 09:05 AM
What makes a great pastor?? A GOOD WIFE!:killinme

(Actually, the wife can either make or break the man of God.)

Coonskinner
03-01-2007, 09:06 AM
What makes a great pastor?? A GOOD WIFE!:killinme

(Actually, the wife can either make or break the man of God.)

This is a very pertinent point.

One that hasn't been mentioned yet.

My wife is a tremendous asset to me in the ministry.

She has charisma, personality, and people skills.

Folks, especially young people, love her.

She adds a little color to one of the most plain vanilla guys in the business. :)

Sherri
03-01-2007, 09:09 AM
This is a very pertinent point.

One that hasn't been mentioned yet.

My wife is a tremendous asset to me in the ministry.

She has charisma, personality, and people skills.

Folks, especially young people, love her.

She adds a little color to one of the most plain vanilla guys in the business. :)
Well, I don't know her, but she at least SMILES in your family pictures!!

Coonskinner
03-01-2007, 09:10 AM
Well, I don't know her, but she at least SMILES in your family pictures!!

She is a very demonstrative person.

Emotional and expressive.

She is as fervent and consistent a worshipper as I have ever been around.

When I took the church where I now pastor, it was dead, dead, dead.

In 60 days, it had completely turned around in worship without me ever preaching on it, just because of her influence.

She is awesome.

MrsMcD
03-01-2007, 09:14 AM
*GASP* Is this an example of- dare I say it- SUBMISSION???!!!

Speaking of submission, a minister was recently telling my husband that there is an honor system with God and that no matter WHAT the pastor does, God honors him because of his position as the pastor. We as saints can never supersede what the pastor instructs.

Sherri
03-01-2007, 09:16 AM
She is a very demonstrative person.

Emotional and expressive.

She is as fervent and consistent a worshipper as I have ever been around.

When I took the church where I now pastor, it was dead, dead, dead.

In 60 days, it had completely turned around in worship without me ever preaching on it, just because of her influence.

She is awesome.
Sounds like you like her just a little!! That's great! You are indeed blessed.

Coonskinner
03-01-2007, 09:17 AM
Sounds like you like her just a little!! That's great! You are indeed blessed.


After Jesus, she is the absolute very best thing in my life, bar none.

I would not want to take one breath in a world without her in it.

Coonskinner
03-01-2007, 09:23 AM
An observation...

A man will generally treat the church he pastors similar to the way he treats his wife.

retsambeW
03-01-2007, 09:33 AM
An observation...

A man will generally treat the church he pastors similar to the way he treats his wife.

I have found this to be true.

Good to see you, Coon.

Felicity
03-01-2007, 09:34 AM
I have found this to be true.

Good to see you, Coon.*ahem*

That should be Dr. Coon. Dr. Coon Skinner! ;)

:killinme

retsambeW
03-01-2007, 09:36 AM
*ahem*

That should be Dr. Coon. Dr. Coon Skinner! ;)

:killinme


:D

Coonskinner
03-01-2007, 09:37 AM
*ahem*

That should be Dr. Coon. Dr. Coon Skinner! ;)

:killinme

Right.

I specialize in "Word Replacement Therapy."

I replace a lot of sappy advice column tripe with some pertinent thoughts from the Word. :)

Coonskinner
03-01-2007, 09:37 AM
:D

Hi, Brother.:)

retsambeW
03-01-2007, 09:38 AM
Hi, Brother.:)


That's Dr. Brother. :D

Bishop1
03-01-2007, 09:39 AM
This is a very pertinent point.

One that hasn't been mentioned yet.

My wife is a tremendous asset to me in the ministry.

She has charisma, personality, and people skills.

Folks, especially young people, love her.

She adds a little color to one of the most plain vanilla guys in the business. :)




I am reminded of a young evangelist
that was with us in Revival SEVERAL years ago -

In every service he would stress the importance
of prayer in order of making it to Heaven -

He would also state the following;

" If Only Two People Made It To Heaven
It Would Be Him & Gretta {his wife}
And
I'M PRAYING FOR GRETTA" !

Our Youth Were Still Saying
"I'm Prayinf For Gretta"
Several Months Later !
LOL

I was reminded of them
as I read an announcment
that he would be speaking
in a nearby Church.

I wonder
if he is still praying
that his wife makes it !


Bishop1
:beatdeadhorse

Felicity
03-01-2007, 09:41 AM
That's Dr. Brother. :D:killinme

Coonskinner
03-01-2007, 09:43 AM
I am reminded of a young evangelist
that was with us in Revival SEVERAL years ago -

In every service he would stress the importance
of prayer in order of making it to Heaven -

He would also state the following;

" If Only Two People Made It To Heaven
It Would Be Him & Gretta {his wife}
And
I'M PRAYING FOR GRETTA" !

Our Youth Were Still Saying
"I'm Prayinf For Gretta"
Several Months Later !
LOL

I was reminded of them
as I read an announcment
that he would be speaking
in a nearby Church.

I wonder
if he is still praying
that his wife makes it !


Bishop1
:beatdeadhorse

Funny as always. :)

Felicity
03-01-2007, 09:45 AM
Right.

I specialize in "Word Replacement Therapy."

I replace a lot of sappy advice column tripe with some pertinent thoughts from the Word. :)WRT!! Hey that should be added to the AFF dictionary! :highfive

Coonskinner
03-01-2007, 09:47 AM
WRT!! Hey that should be added to the AFF dictionary! :highfive

I am a licensed therapist. :)

WRT certified.:)

Bishop1
03-01-2007, 09:54 AM
I have found this to be true.

Good to see you, Coon.



Hey L.O.O.N. -

Good To Find Out That You Made It -
After Breaking Bread With You
Tuesday Night -

To All On The AFF;

I was going up a ramp on I59/I20
just as 'MF' was going by
So we stopped to Break Bread.
I Fed Him Some "LAMB"


{He really looked like he was underfed }
rotf/lol

Bishop1
:beatdeadhorse

Felicity
03-01-2007, 09:56 AM
Nobody agrees with me that "looks" are important?!!!

Come on now. You KNOW it's easier to submit to a handsome preacher. You're all just too chicken to admit it. :killinme

:winkgrin

Coonskinner
03-01-2007, 10:00 AM
Nobody agrees with me that "looks" are important?!!!

Come on now. You KNOW it's easier to submit to a handsome preacher. You're all just too chicken to admit it. :killinme

:winkgrin

That has never been an issue for me, really.

Felicity
03-01-2007, 10:06 AM
That has never been an issue for me, really.

I'm sure it hasn't. *said with a straight face*


:killinme

tamor
03-01-2007, 12:18 PM
Not keeping 100% of the tithes for himself....


:tease :tease

retsambeW
03-01-2007, 04:06 PM
Bishop1,

It was indeed good to see you Tuesday eve. Thank you for helping me maintain me figure. I am on the level because my bubble is in the middle! :D

I had never had gyros before. Quite good. Had lamb all the time at Gilbert's in Jackson, Michigan...a place you should have been aquainted with.

Rhoni
03-01-2007, 04:31 PM
Speaking of submission, a minister was recently telling my husband that there is an honor system with God and that no matter WHAT the pastor does, God honors him because of his position as the pastor. We as saints can never supersede what the pastor instructs.


:oops

Rhoni
03-01-2007, 04:39 PM
Nobody agrees with me that "looks" are important?!!!

Come on now. You KNOW it's easier to submit to a handsome preacher. You're all just too chicken to admit it. :killinme

:winkgrin

Hey...you get no disagreement from me...I see your point;)!:highfive

Willing to submit to a handsome Pastor,
Rhoni

Scott Hutchinson
03-01-2007, 09:26 PM
If looks count then I'm loaded with them. My wife even calls me lord just tonight she said lord Scott get on the computer or something cause you're getting on my nerves.

kingfish
04-03-2008, 12:27 AM
every one has given there thoughts of ,what a pastor should be . What does the word of god say they should be . GO to the book of titus & see what it speaks about.