A few days ago, I asked a former president of our denomination, who has served the church and the denomination for many years, a question: “In your years of ministry, what have you found to be the essential leadership qualities of a good pastor?” His answer was clear and concise: servanthood, prayer, and collaboration.
1. Servant Leadership: Understand the Needs of Others
Jesus said, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). A true leader does not seek to rule over others but to serve them in love and help them grow. Yet serving others requires more than a sincere desire to help. We must also understand what people actually need.
Before I preached at this pastor’s church, he gave me a specific request: “Pastor Chung, most of our congregation members are elderly, so please tailor your sermon to them.” I assumed he meant I should be considerate of the older members by avoiding a loud voice, speaking slowly, and articulating my words clearly. So I did exactly that, and the congregation listened attentively. Only after the service did I discover the real reason they had listened so attentively: I had spoken so softly that they could barely hear me! The pastor had actually wanted me to preach loudly and energetically so that everyone could hear.
We both had good intentions, but because we failed to clarify what the other meant, our communication broke down. To serve others well, we must do more than offer what we think they need. We must take the time to understand what they actually need.
2. A Life of Prayer: Discern the Will of God
The denominational leader added that a good pastor is not simply someone who prays, but someone who develops the spiritual sensitivity to discern the Holy Spirit’s leading through prayer.
When the church in Antioch commissioned Barnabas and Saul for ministry, the believers were worshiping the Lord and fasting when the Holy Spirit directed them to set the two men apart for the work to which He had called them (Acts 13:1–3). A prayerful leader does not impose personal desires on God but aligns personal thoughts and plans with God’s will.
Pastors must make countless decisions. They must determine the direction of their churches, develop leaders, and resolve conflicts. Sometimes they must make consequential decisions when no one can offer a clear answer. In such moments, experience and knowledge alone are not enough. Pastors need the spiritual discipline of kneeling before God and seeking His will. They also need spiritual discernment to recognize the Lord’s leading. When the church in Antioch sent Barnabas and Saul into missionary service, prayer and fasting were central to the process. The mission began with worship, prayer, and the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
Of course, we should not automatically assume every personal thought or feeling is the Holy Spirit’s voice. Spiritual discernment matures as leaders test their impressions against Scripture, examine their hearts in prayer, and listen to the wise counsel of the Christian community. The Holy Spirit guides not only individuals in prayer but also the believing community. At the Jerusalem Council, the apostles and elders declared, “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us” (Acts 15:28). Paul likewise teaches that the Spirit’s gifts are given for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7).
A good spiritual leader prayerfully seeks God’s will, tests personal impressions biblically, and remains open to the Spirit’s guidance through the community of faith.
3. Collaboration: Work Together with Patience
No matter how gifted a person may be, leadership is not meant to be done alone. Leadership necessarily involves working with others. Collaboration is more than delegating tasks. It requires the maturity to recognize gifts different from our own, respect differing opinions, and willingly adjust our own preferences for the sake of a shared purpose. This maturity includes “patience.” Patience means not giving up on others too quickly, making an effort to understand our differences, and continuing to seek a better way forward together.
My recent preaching experience illustrates how important patience is to communication and collaboration. The pastor and I shared the same goal: to serve the congregation well. Yet because we didn’t clarify our expectations, I acted quite differently from what he intended. A few additional questions and a brief conversation before the service could have prevented the misunderstanding.
Leaders who value collaboration do not assume that communicating their own intentions is enough. They listen carefully, clarify mutual expectations, and work to resolve misunderstandings rather than rushing to blame others. Even when communication breaks down, patient leaders do not abandon relationships or shift responsibility. Instead, they take the time to understand one another’s intentions and find a constructive way forward.
A good pastor serves others with humility, seeks the Holy Spirit’s guidance through prayer, and works patiently with fellow believers. When these three qualities are practiced together, pastors not only help their churches become healthier and stronger but also build meaningful partnerships with other ministry leaders to advance the kingdom of God on earth. Servanthood helps us understand and serve people. Prayer helps us discern God’s will. Collaboration enables us to accomplish together what we cannot accomplish alone.