I regularly tell our seminary students that if I happen to…
““I regularly tell our seminary students that if I happen to visit the church in which one of them serves, I will not ask first, “Is this man a good preacher?” Rather, first of all I will ask the secretaries, office staff, janitors, and cleaners what it is like to work for this pastor. I will ask, “What kind of man is he? Is he a servant? Is he demanding and harsh, or his he patient, kind, and forbearing as a man in authority?” One of our graduates may preach great sermons, but if he is a pain to work for, then you know he will cause major problems in any congregation. Leaders in the church are required by Scripture to set an example in the areas of love, kindness, gentleness, patience, and forbearance before they are appointed to preach, teach, and rule. If we obediently require these attitudes and character traits of our leaders, what will our “new community” look like””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Assess a pastor’s character through staff observations, not just preaching, to ensure healthy leadership.
In simple terms: Judge leaders by how they treat their workers.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize servant‑leadership qualities.
Themes
leadership
character
service
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
Character trait:1
Inspirational:1
Character Traits:1
Good Preacher:0
Work Pastor:0
Preacher Ask:0
Pastor Ask:0
Servant Demanding:0
When to use this quote
- community health
- organizational culture
Key Concepts
church administration
human resources
Questions to Reflect On
- What traits indicate a healthy leader?
- How can congregations give honest feedback?