“Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.” 1 Timothy 3:1.

Pastoring has become increasingly complex. Churchgoers expect their pastor to juggle an average of 16 major tasks! If we lead without a clear set of Biblical leadership values, we set ourselves up for frustration! In the New Testament epistles – predominantly those Paul wrote to Timothy and in his letter to Titus… we discover the model. Here are 5 priorities from Scripture about pastoral leadership:

The pastor’s relationship with God comes first.

 2 Timothy 1:5 – “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. If we’re not careful, the work of ministry can get in the way of our relationship with God.

John 15:5 – “Apart from me you can do nothing.”

The biblical model of leadership places a premium on developing our relationship with God

The pastor makes tough calls

“Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” Titus 3:10-11

Tough calls require a great deal of thought, prayer, wisdom, and humility. When pastors avoid these kinds of confrontations, they suffer and so does the church. Everybody loses!

A better approach is to deal with a divisive person’s behavior in a loving but firm way.

The pastor raises up and releases leaders

 “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”2 Timothy 2:2

One of your primary responsibilities is to scout, develop and release talented people to serve. Converge Coaching has developed a new journey to help churches rebuild it serve teams, called Recruiting to Releasing (R2R). You can reach out to us here for more info.

The pastor preaches the Word of God carefully, with love and without apology

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15. This priority means we carve out time to do proper Bible study.

The pastor stays in touch with the day-to-day challenges confronting his people

Full-time pastoral ministry can insulate a leader from the challenges his people deal with in the marketplace.  As best you can, try to understand these realities and allow them to shape your ministry approach, your teaching, preaching, and your expectations of what the flock can and cannot do.