The pastor who will serve as the shepherd of a newly planted church must be someone of spiritual depth and godly character. Church planting is not for just any minister—it requires someone specially graced and equipped by the Lord if the new church is to be rooted in Christ, built on sound doctrine, and grow into a vibrant expression of the body of Christ.
As Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy:
“Even so must their wives be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.”
— 1 Timothy 3:11–16 (NKJV)
The spiritual level and character of the pastor will eventually be reflected in the life of the church. That is why choosing the right person for this sacred assignment is critical. Below are the key spiritual and leadership qualities expected of a pastor planting a new church:
1. A Purpose-Driven Shepherd
The pastor must be a man who clearly understands God’s divine purpose for the new church. He must walk in purpose himself and be able to guide others in discovering and aligning their lives with God’s plan. He must be visionary, able to set goals and work with the congregation to pursue the church’s God-given mission.
2. A Passionate Servant
The new church pastor must burn with passion for God and for souls. Like David, he must declare, “The zeal of Your house has eaten me up” (Psalm 69:9), and like Jeremiah, he must feel God’s word like fire in his bones (Jeremiah 20:9). His love for the Lord and for the flock must be evident in everything he does.
3. An Evangelistic Mindset
In the early stages, a new church thrives on soul-winning. Therefore, the pastor must be evangelism-focused. He must model evangelism, train others in it, and lead regular outreach efforts. The Great Commission must be at the center of his heart.
4. Community Engagement
The new church must not be isolated from the neighborhood in which it is planted. The pastor must be friendly, approachable, and known for building bridges with people in the local community. This relational leadership will help the church gain favor and relevance in its environment.
5. A Man of Prayer
Prayer is the lifeline of ministry. A church planter must be a prayer warrior—one who not only prays fervently but also teaches and mobilizes others to pray. As the early apostles said, “We will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4).
6. Sound in the Word
The pastor must rightly handle the Word of God. Scripture says, “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). He must be grounded in doctrine, able to teach, and skillful in applying Scripture to life.
7. Unshakable Faith
Challenges and discouragements will come. The new church pastor must be a man of unwavering faith. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that “without faith it is impossible to please God.” He must stand firm on God’s promises and lead with spiritual boldness.
8. Filled and Led by the Holy Spirit
Human strength cannot build God’s house. The new church pastor must be full of the Holy Spirit, sensitive to His leading, and yielded to His will. Only by the Spirit can he bear lasting fruit and build according to divine pattern (Zechariah 4:6).
9. A Holy Life
Holiness is not optional in ministry. The pastor must be consecrated and set apart for the Lord’s work. As Isaiah 52:11 says, “Be ye clean, you who bear the vessels of the Lord.” His life must reflect godliness in every area.
10. A Possibility Thinker
He must believe that with God all things are possible (Mark 10:27). Faith-filled thinking leads to faith-filled action. The more he believes God can do great things through the church, the more he will see those things come to pass.
11. A Man of Character
The pastor must be a man of integrity, honesty, and a good report within and outside the church. He should be someone others can trust and follow without fear. His lifestyle must reflect Christ in public and private.
12. A Skillful Leader and Manager
A church planter needs the ability to organize people, assign responsibilities, and wisely manage limited resources. He must know how to build teams, delegate tasks, and ensure that the church runs smoothly and effectively.
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THE MAKING OF A NEW CHURCH PASTOR
Planting and pastoring a new church is not an assignment for the fainthearted. It takes spiritual maturity, emotional resilience, and divine empowerment. If we want our church plants to survive and thrive, we must be intentional about raising and equipping church planters properly.
Here are key steps in the making of a new church pastor:
a. A Confirmed Call from the Lord
Even if a leader nominates a pastor, that individual must personally receive a confirmation from the Lord about the assignment. A divine call gives assurance in hard times and keeps the pastor grounded in purpose.
b. Not a Spiritual Novice
The Bible warns against placing new converts in leadership (1 Timothy 3:6). A new church pastor must not be immature or carnal. He must be rooted in the faith and tested in character. Giving such responsibility to a spiritual baby could lead to the ruin of both the person and the church.
c. Proper Preparation
Do not hastily appoint someone without adequate preparation. Training, exposure, and spiritual development must precede deployment. Hasty decisions can result in spiritual disaster.
d. Thorough and Ongoing Training
Church planting should never be treated lightly. There must be regular in-house and external training opportunities for those preparing to plant churches. Seminars, workshops, and mentorship programs should be held both before and after the church is launched.
e. Continuous Mentoring and Oversight
New pastors should not be left to themselves. They need continuous spiritual covering, mentoring, encouragement, and accountability. Their questions must be answered, and their challenges addressed promptly.
f. An Intercessory Support Team
The new church pastor must be backed by a team of dedicated intercessors—spiritual warriors who will cover the ministry in prayer. These intercessors should begin praying before the church is planted and continue long after it has started. Prayer is a critical part of birthing and sustaining a healthy church.
CONCLUSION
Raising a new church pastor is a serious spiritual assignment. When we follow God’s pattern and equip the right people with the right spirit, tools, and support, the new church becomes a beacon of light in its community. Let us raise shepherds after God’s heart—who will feed the flock with knowledge, integrity, and power from on high (Jeremiah 3:15).