Its been argued up and down what defines a Pastor. The name itself was coined form a keeper of pasture/a sherperd. I see no reason why he/she delve from comparism with a day-day Sherperd. It actually makes it easier to detect the marks when you see one.


1) PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE: He is no stranger to God or the Gospel experience. His aquaintance with Salvation cannot/must not be undermined/brushed aside.

John 10 v 5, 2nd Cor 5 v 17
John 3 v 5, Gal 5 v 16-26
1st Cor 12.


2) DIVINE CALL: Not from avarice, personal ambition, respect, honour, self-interest, or love of ease. The sons of Sceva called themselves and got the effect of it. Pastors who call themselves tend to abandon the flock when 'wolves' come. The 'Staff' was never theirs. This is one of the key problems in the Church today.

John 10 v 2, Act 13 v 3, Eph 4 v 11
1st Cor 12 v 28, Rom 11 v 29.


3) CONSECRATED MOTIVES: God's will and glory, salvation of lost souls, and the best interest of the church and all men. Motives of materialism, selfishness are not from God. God's blessing would follow his own anyday.

John 10 v 9-13, Luke 19 v 10
Acts 20 v 28, 2nd Cor 5 v 14-21,
Eph 4 v 12.


4) DIVINE ANOINTING: Not human education, wisdom, polish and efforts only, but divine leading and help. D.L Moody, Smith Wigglesworth are great examples of this. Human education withers off with time.

Luke 11 v 13, Luke 24 v 49
John 7 v 37-39; 14 v 12-17,26; 15 v 26, Act 1 v 4-8, 2nd Cor 3.


5) PERSONAL INTEREST: Aquaintance with his flock, both on a private and public basis and instructions, and helpfulness in all Problems. We see the opposite today. Many dont have time for the flock on a personal basis again. They have other engagements to focus on rather, which is wrong.

John 10 v 3, 9 Acts 20 v 26-35
Eph 1 v 15-19; 3 v 13-31
1st Thes 2 v 4-13, 2nd Tim 4 v 1-5
Heb 13 v 7, 17.


6) DIVINE SUCCESS: Be zealous and fearless to protect, heal , preserve, increase, visit and sacrifice for the flock.

John 10 v 9-18, Mk 16 v 17-18
Luk 19 v 10, Jer 23 v 1-8
Ezek 13 v 1-9, 34.


True Ministers must have the aboved qualities before they can manage the flock. It will be easier to now know who is who, as these are all backed with the scriptures and not what we percieve a man of God should be.

Minister must be....

:- Goers to the work, not waiters for the work.

:- United to the Vine (Christ)- imagine a branch and root system. And the mechanism of plant growth. It will help explain brighter. ( a branch cut off will wither, as it has lost contact with its source of life.

:- Chosen of God to the work

:- Ordained of God for the work. Those ordained of men tend to please men.

:- Labourers to bring forth fruit, not idlers like we see today. The 'sit and let them come' is devil's veil on many ministers today. Like reaping what you didnt sow.


By
:- Preservers of their fruit, not destroyers of it. They must make sure they assist the flock in growth, and not impose, or create rules that would become detrimental to their spiritual growth.

:- Pray prayers that get results. Elijah is a very good example anyday, anytime. But remember the sacrifice he paid to get instant answers to prayer- Holy Living.

:- Lovers of all men. Musnt create enemies of men. He must rather show love. Its part of Christ-likeness.

"By their Fruits, ye shall know them."

Derived From John 10.