Seven Marks of a Good Pastor

C. Michael Patton of Credo House has a good post entitled “SEVEN MARKS OF A GOOD THEOLOGIAN,” which I thought equally applies to pastors. Ironically, numbers 6 and 7 really do belong on the list. Sadly I’ve known pastors who are not “pastoral” and who lean more on their rhetorical skills or supposed position of authority rather than on God’s Spirit.

The seven marks are:

1. Irenic: This means that we approach people peacefully.
2. Honesty: This is the ability to admit when you don’t know things.
3. Adaptability: Theologians should always be adapting because they know they don’t have it all figured out.
4. Transparency: Show yourself to others, warts and all.
5. Networked: You will never be an expert in every area…Oh, and just because someone is dead does not mean they should not join your network.
6. Pastoral: It is not about being right, it’s about changing lives.
7. Dependent on the Holy Spirit: Stop every chance you get and bow before God and ask that the power of the Holy Spirit would give you the ability to understand and yield to the truth.

Read the whole thing.

See also my “Best Practices for Church Leadership”.

A New Kind of Church: Strategy

This is the final post in the series for a new kind of [imaginary] church (see the vision and values and mission statements).

You know the drill. Provide comments answering the question: “If I were to land on a website of a new church in my community with the info below, what do I see that is attractive? What issues raise concerns or additional questions that I would ask?”

---

The means for accomplishing the mission is developing a caring community of home groups where members share their spiritual journey and encourage one another to know Christ and grow in Christ. Home group communities should not be confused with the “House Church” movement per se. Members may or may not include people who are already involved in an established church. Simply put, our target audience includes anyone interested in connecting with others around the central theme of Christianity. Home groups, therefore, are a network of friendships and families that participate in four key components intended to move every member toward maturity in faith.

1. Practical, Biblical Instruction: Learning Scripture and applying it to everyday circumstances so members increasingly think and act “biblically” in all of life. This activity primarily involves the systematic exploration and explanation of God’s truth in the context of teaching and open discussion. Some guidelines for teaching and open discussion are:
• Sharing passages that speak to the situation; i.e., minimize opinions and maximize truth
• Teaching and admonishing one another without displacing our Wonderful Counselor and Paraclete
• Encouraging obedience to the clear teaching of God’s Word
• Extending grace to all by allowing every member the necessary space to grow; i.e., no unbiblical demands or ideals imposed upon other members (Jm. 2:13)
• Respectfully disagreeing with others and/or requesting one-on-one discussions for further clarification
2. Fellowship: Sharing how God is uniquely moving in us as we experience His progress in our personal lives, our community, and our world. Useful guidelines for fellowship are:
   • Intentional commitment to practicing the “one another” principles found in Scripture (e.g., Jn. 13:34-35; Rom. 12:10; 14:13; 1 Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4:2, 32; 5:21; 1 Th. 5:11; Jm. 4:11; 1 Pt. 1:22; 5:5; 1 Jn. 1:7).
   • Attending home group meetings regularly (Heb. 10:24-25)
   • Sympathizing with others without offering unwanted/unnecessary counsel or guidance (Pr. 10:19; 17:27; Gal. 6:2)
   • Growing in love for other members by meeting individual/group needs where possible (Gal. 6:10; 1 Pt. 1:22)
   • Sustaining a healthy, biblical dependence upon others yet taking responsibility for our personal growth
3. Prayer/Praise: Expressing our gratitude and needs to God in the company of other group members. This activity entails bringing requests to God with thanksgiving as we expectantly await His response (Dan. 9:17-19; Philip. 4:6; Jm. 1:5-6) and exalting the work of God in worship and song. Guidelines include:
   • Being honest and transparent with group members without compromising our personal intimacy or confidentiality with God, spouse, or others
   • Reflecting carefully upon God’s activity in ourselves and others so we come prepared to offer words of encouragement, genuine requests, and thanksgiving (Rom. 14:19; Philip. 1:3)
   • Heartfelt singing of songs that are addressed to the Lord and to one another (Eph. 5:19)
   • Seeking God’s answers with a biblical expectancy (Mk. 11:24; Lk. 11:9-10; Jn. 16:23)
   • Respecting “silent” prayer requests (Pr. 14:10)
4. Outreach: Communicating the Gospel message in a biblically faithful, culturally relevant way so as to bring others into an understanding of their need for a committed relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior. The Gospel message is to be defined for clarity and defended for purity as the only means of eternal hope and happiness (Acts 17:2-4; 1 Pt. 3:15). The primary, though not exclusive, means of declaration is through relational-evangelism built on trust, biblical lifestyles, and a keen application of Scripture to human need (Jn. 4:10; 1 Thess. 1:4-9).

A New Kind of Church: Mission

What follows is a mission statement for a new kind of church (see the vision and values statement). The next post will contain details around a strategy or the means for executing the mission.

As before, I value your thoughts so please take time and provide comments answering the question: “If I were to land on a website of a new church in my community with the info below, what do I see that is attractive? What issues raise concerns or additional questions that I would ask?”

---

Our purpose is based upon the assumption that effective ministry always occurs in the context of relationships. For example, after God initiates a relationship with us by graciously calling us to believe in Jesus, we seek nourishment from relationships with fellow believers that encourage and inspire us to grow in our love for Him and others. As God’s people we relate to one another as indispensable members of a larger family (1 Cor. 12:12-16).

Empowered by the Spirit of God and enlightened by the Word of God, we embrace every opportunity to serve the people of God and our community with truth, love, excellence, humility, and integrity for the glory of God.

Therefore, we exist to . . .

“connect people with people in the name of Jesus
so minds are biblically informed, hearts are radically transformed,
and lives are significantly conformed to the image and glory of God.”

A New Kind of Church: Values

What follows is a vision and values statement for a new kind of church (fictitious of course) and would really like some feedback here. Over the next few posts I’ll cast a mission and strategy, where I hope to get some chatter going on those topics as well.

Please take time and provide comments answering the question: “If I were to land on a website of a new church in my community with the info below, what do I see that is attractive? What issues raise concerns or additional questions that I would ask?“

(See also, Ray Ortlund’s A little foolishness.)

---

We envision a new kind of church where . . .

• It’s OK to ask questions or explore the claims of Christianity
• The Gospel is thoughtfully, intentionally, and lovingly shared with those who are sincerely seeking God
• Devotion to God’s Word (the Bible) moves increasingly from learning it to loving it to living it
• True delight and happiness are found in seeing the image of Christ formed in others
• Worship is an authentic response to our ever-increasing love for Jesus
• Dependence upon God in prayer is a daily reality
• Fellowship results from deepening and maturing relationships
• Spiritual disciplines are intentionally integrated into all of life
• Outreach to the disenfranchised and poor is actively and compassionately pursued
• A global concern for God’s work in the world generates creative and strategic involvement

If these values capture your interest, then we invite you to browse around
and consider contacting us. Whatever your background, our doors are always open to you.

Why not rather be wronged?

In 1 Cor 6 Paul says sharply:

The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?

Where is this spirit of deference? Why must we always have the last word or win the argument? Does our quest for victory show we are already defeated? Where is this spirit of deference?