Maybe doctrine is the first thing you look for. Do they subscribe to Biblical inerrancy? Are they pre-millenial, amillenial, or post-millenial? What do they think about this? What do they say about that?
How about their preaching? Most people want some engaging, passionate sermons. For others, they need to have some theological thought, or they won't be satisfied.
A pastor needs to understand what it means to be a shepherd of people. A shepherd is a person charged with looking after the sheep put under their care, and the same is the true for a pastor. A pastor is not merely a preacher. Given a bit of training and some confidence, anyone can get up on front of a group of people and speak. Add some solid Biblical knowledge, and you have a preacher. A pastor needs to be called by God to lead, but that particular part is for another post at another time.
What a pastor needs to have is revealed in Scripture as Paul writes, "And if I have prophetic (preaching) powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge... but have not love, I am nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:2). A pastor, that does not have love is worthless. It doesn't matter if they can preach the tie off a televangelist. The central job qualification of a pastor is not public speaking. If you hold the job title of pastor, and love for those in your charge is not foremost, you need to evaluate your heart. You are likely doing more harm than good. If you cannot bring yourself to love those in your care, you need to stop.
What is the top complaint against Christians in America today?
They're hypocrits! They say one thing and do another. While a sinless life has and will only be lived by one man, Jesus Christ, who is also God, the lives of His followers should be marked by humility, faith, courage, and love. One who is called to lead His followers, the pastor, should have a life that actively shows these qualities.
Now we come back to the original question.
What do you look at in a pastor?
I can tell you as a pastor what I believe a person should look at first in the one they chose to submit to as a spiritual shepherd. This person should be able to say as Paul did, "Follow me as I follow Christ." That means their life should be a life of action. Their actions should back up what they say.
- He preaches passionately about sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost. Have you seen him do it? Has he or anyone else talked about times when he has?
- He preaches about loving people like God loves them. Does he? Have you seen him caring for and loving people?
- He preaches that you need to have an active prayer life with the goal given in Scripture to "pray without ceasing." Does he take the opportunity to pray? Does the prayer come from his heart?
- He preaches about not neglecting fellowship. Do you know him enough to know whether those other things are true?
