What should we look for if we are looking for a pastor for a church?

What would the church be emphasizing in? Will we look for someone with a reputation?

Will we look for someone with relevant experience? Will we listen to his preaching and assess him based on his delivery? Will we also grill him on his theological views? What is most important? Well, what I have mentioned above are certainly, I think, important but maybe that is not the most important because what is most important is given in the Bible in 1 Timothy chapter 3 and here the emphasis of God is what we often strangely will forget. The Bible says in verses 2 to 5 that "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

As you look at these words in 1 Timothy chapter 3, I think the emphasis is clear. It is not so much a man's experience, not so much a man's preaching ability, not so much just his theological views but really the emphasis seems to be on his personal life and his family life. You see the role of a pastor is not to impress the people but to impact the people. And in order to impact the people, it is not so much with your lips but more so with your life. You can't lead people well if your personal life and your family is in a mess. You see you can't lead someone to where you have not been yourself.

And so the first thing to consider is not so much the skills of the pastor but his character because we are looking for a man who will lead the church not just to information but transformation. And so may God bless you as you consider the words of the Bible in 1 Timothy chapter 3 with regards to candidating for a pastor. God bless.

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