Fayetteville First Baptist Church
Biblical Profile of a Pastor
The Bible uses several different words to describe a pastor’s role. The word pastor
means shepherd (see Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:11; 1 Pet. 5:2). The word bishop means overseer
(see Acts 20:28; Phil. 1:1, 1 Tim. 3:1; Titus 1:7; 1 Pet. 5:2). A third term, elder, is interchangeably used with the pastor/shepherd and overseer roles in Acts 20:17, 28
and 1 Peter 5:1-3. All of these terms speak of the pastor’s clear leadership role in the
church.
Many passages of Scripture can be applied to the pastor. Some, like 1 Peter 5:3, directly apply to the way a pastor should exercise leadership. First Timothy 3:2-7 is the key passage to understand what the Bible says about a pastor’s profile. Paul identified characteristics of a healthy pastor found in 1 Timothy, chapter 3.
Behavior that consistently shows obedience to God (“above reproach,” v. 2)
Faithfulness in marriage (“husband of one wife,” v. 2)
Self-control in spirit and actions (“self-controlled,” v. 2)
Able to make appropriate decisions for the good of the kingdom of God (“sensible,” v. 2)
Christian dignity in behavior patterns (“respectable,” v. 2)
Genuine care for persons (“hospitable,” v. 2)
Effective teacher of the truths of God’s Word (“an able teacher,” vs. 2)
A gentle spirit (“not a bully but gentle,” v. 3)
A peacemaker (“not quarrelsome,” vs. 3)
Actions not motivated by the love of money (“not greedy,” v. 3)
Spiritual leader of his family (“manages his own household competently, having his children under his control with all dignity,” v. 4)
Mature in Christian belief and practice (“must not be a new convert,” v. 6)
Credibility that attracts those outside the church (“must have a good reputation among outsiders,” v. 7)
Pastor Search Committee 2/16/11