7 distinguishing habits of highly effective pastors

Thom Rainer Sept. 17, 2019

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Determining the effectiveness of a pastor is a highly subjective exercise. While certain metrics may prove helpful, they do not tell the whole story. In that context, I reviewed my 40 years of serving churches in a variety of capacities. Then, in noting the very effective pastors I knew quite well, I compiled a list of nearly 30 names.

Next, I wrote down traits that distinguished these leaders from other pastors. I wanted to recognize what made them tick. I wanted to know how and why they were so effective.

There are many characteristics most pastors possess. For example, they are prayerful, committed to the Word, dedicated to their families, and have high character. However, my interest in this exercise was to identify the traits that set these particular pastors apart from others.

Leading characteristics

When I finished this assignment, I had identified (with a nod to Stephen R. Covey) seven distinguishing characteristics—or habits—of highly effective pastors.

1. They have genuine enthusiasm.I am not referring to the “vocal cheerleader” type of leader. These pastors may even be quiet, but their passion and enthusiasm for their churches, families and ministries are evident in all they say and do. It is not a contrived enthusiasm, but one that is real and contagious.

2. They are great listeners.When you are around these pastors, they genuinely focus on you. They seem to have little desire to talk about themselves; they would rather hear your stories. They can make you feel important because they genuinely care and listen.

3. Their identity is not their vocation. They don’t have to climb a perceived ladder of success because their greatest reward comes from serving Christ. He directs them. You don’t have to worry about these pastors manipulating the network or the system for their advancement. Their identities are in Christ, not their vocations.

4. They are intentional about personal witnessing. These pastors don’t see the Great Commission as an abstract concept, or something that others are supposed to do. They love to share the gospel with others. They are highly intentional about personal witnessing.

5. They have an unconditional love for their critics. So many leaders—pastors included—have a limited effectiveness because they chafe inside over the critics who constantly hound them. As a result, they are drained emotionally and sometimes walk in fear of such critics. By contrast, highly effective pastors include in their prayer life intercession for their critics. They learn to love them because they are asking God to help them to have that love.

6. They have a gentle spirit. We often forget that gentleness is part of the fruit of the Spirit. In today’s hypercritical, social media-driven world, aggression and negativity have become the norm—even in churches. To the contrary, these pastors have a calm and gentleness that can only come from the Holy Spirit.

7. They persevere. Ministry is not easy. Local church ministry can be especially difficult. There are too many wounded warriors in our churches. Unfortunately, most wounds come from “friendly fire” (though I’m not sure the word “friendly” fits well in this metaphor). Highly effective pastors hang in there. Sure, they get hurt and discouraged. But they ultimately keep on ministering in God’s power. Though it’s a cliché, they look for strength to keep on, one day at a time.

At the risk of redundancy, let me remind you that these seven traits are not necessarily the same as the biblical qualifications of a pastor. According to my subjective research, they are the traits that set them apart from most other pastors.

Thus, they are the seven distinguishing habits of highly effective pastors—and ones you would do well to emulate in your ministry.

Photo source: istock 

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Thom S. Rainer is the founder and CEO of Church Answers, and online community and resource for church leaders. Prior to founding Church Answers, Rainer served as president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. Before coming to LifeWay, he served at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary for twelve years where he was the founding dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism. He is a 1977 graduate of the University of Alabama and earned his Master of Divinity and Ph.D. degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Learn More »

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