I’ve written about this many times, and I cover it again in the video below, but pastoral ministry is never shaped solely by knowledge, skill, ministry philosophy, and experience. It’s always shaped by the condition of the pastors heart. And if we, as the body of Christ, aren’t intentionally pursuing the heart of our pastor, how can we expect him to be in a healthy spiritual position?

How well do you know your pastor? I don’t mean where he went to seminary and what his weekly schedule looks like. How well do you KNOW your pastor. I’m afraid that many times, we don’t actually look after the soul of the man leading our church; we ask too few questions and make too many assumptions.

I’ve written about this many times, and I cover it again in the video below, but pastoral ministry is never shaped solely by knowledge, skill, ministry philosophy, and experience. It’s always shaped by the condition of the pastors heart. And if we, as the body of Christ, aren’t intentionally pursuing the heart of our pastor, how can we expect him to be in a healthy spiritual position?

Here is a video excerpt about this subject that I recorded with DesiringGod, along with a list of 27 questions that go below the superficial ministry jargon to knowledge, skill, ministry philosophy, and experience.

1. What does he really love, and what does he despise?
2. What are his hopes, dreams, and fears?
3. What are the deep desires that fuel and shape the way he does ministry?
4. What anxieties have the potential to derail or paralyze him?
5. How accurate is his view of himself?
6. How open is he to confrontation, critique, and encouragement?
7. How committed is he to his own sanctification?
8. How open is he about his own temptations, weaknesses, and failures?
9. How ready is he to listen to and defer to the wisdom of others?
10. Is pastoral ministry a community project to him?
11. Does he have a tender, nurturing heart?
12. Is he warm and hospitable, a shepherd and champion to those who’re suffering?

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