A Good Pastor: Three Ways to Spot One (And A Clue to Any Good Leader)

Last updated on: November 7, 2016 at 12:54 pm by John Mark N. Reynolds

A Good Pastor: Three Ways to Spot One (And A Clue to Any Good Leader) 2016-11-07T12:54:39-04:00 John Mark N. Reynolds

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Over the weekend our pastor, Father Richard, was honored for his work and character. His elevation reminded me how blessed I have been with pastors . . . starting with my Dad and now Father Richard. So many of my present students do not have great pastors, while I know so many! How can you spot a great pastor?

A great pastor is not making things up as he goes.

My pastor applies ancient truth to modern times, but he does not pretend truth is measured by age. He also never measures the truth by how he feels or by what polls say is true.

Isn’t it good to have a leader who cares about goodness, truth, and beauty? These are eternal values and part of an eternal truth. If the up to date is forever dated, then a good leader begins with the unchanging and then applies them to the world of change. He knows you cannot step into the same river twice exactly as it was, but that the Nile endures.

A great pastor cares more about Jesus (and then you) than about the “program.” Richard Petranek isn’t building a church, he is getting us ready for life and death.

A great pastor is not into himself. Father Richard spends a great amount of his time helping people who cannot help him. If you are sick, he comes to visit you. He does not come any faster if you are a major donor, but he would visit.

Father Richard does not hate the rich or the poor, but loves people. He does not see a person and first think: problem. He sees us and thinks: How can I help?

An old Christian tradition has the people saying “Axios!” (“Worthy!”) if a promotion is deserved. Every so often, the people do not respond with “worthy” and that matters. It is pleasant to hear my Pastor today and say of Richard from Chicago: ” Axios!” Find someone like him.

Perhaps you should look for someone like this for any leadership position: business, church, non-profit, or government. If you look at your leader and you cannot say “axios,” then find a new leader.

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