What are the characteristics of a good pastor? While every preacher has a unique style, the most effective preaching consistently reflects a handful of shared traits. These seven qualities of a good pastor can transform your sermons and deepen your impact.
If you’re also looking to refine how your message is delivered, check out these 9 basics for better sermon delivery.
For many years I have obsessed over studying great preaching and preachers. They are all different. All have their own unique style and approach to delivering a message.
However, there are 7 characteristics that they all have in common.
1. Preach with Borrowed Authority
The best preachers do not preach from their own authority, but from God’s. One of the most vital characteristics of a good pastor is understanding that authority comes from Scripture, not personality.
You are an ambassador of Christ. You are representing Him. Stay true to His word. Anything you say is just an opinion. Anything God says is law. Don’t apologize for what He says.
2. Preach with Flexibility
The best preachers keep an open ear to the Holy Spirit.
Plan and prepare thoroughly, but don’t be so tied to your script that you have no room for the Spirit to move. Often, the best moments of a message are the unscripted ones.
Want to reduce last-minute stress and give the Spirit space to work? Start building room into your schedule with this guide on how to create systems and processes in your small church.
3. Preach with the Body
Body language isn’t fluff! It’s one of the most overlooked qualities of a good pastor that impacts listener engagement.
Body language says a lot. If you stand still and don’t move, chances are your people will not be moved by the message either. Loosen up.
When you are passionate about something, you move. Think about your body language the last time you had a heated argument, were comforting someone who was crying, or watched your team win in the final seconds of the game. These natural emotions and movements should carry over into your preaching as well.
4. Preach with Conviction
The best preachers have been personally convicted by the message God has given them long before they ever preach it.
If the message has not deeply affected you, it will not affect your listeners. Let it change your life first. You can only lead your people as far as you have gone yourself. This is how a preacher comes across as being authentic. It won’t just be theoretical talk. You will be preaching from experience.
People will be able to feel that you actually practice what you preach. They will sense that you actually buy what you are selling. In todays culture of many fakes, there is nothing more attractive than real authenticity.
Deep conviction fuels authenticity—something every preacher can grow in by listening to real voices. Explore these podcasts for pastors for more personal insight and reflection.
5. Preach with Passion
The best preachers are passionate. They preach with a sense of anticipation of what amazing things God might accomplish in His people through His word in this moment.
If you are not excited about what you are saying, how can you expect anyone else to be? It is tragic to make the most amazing story ever told boring.
Get fired up about the message. Bottle it up and stir it up within you all week so much that by Sunday (or whenever you preach) you cannot contain it anymore and the message explodes out of you.
If you’re feeling burned out instead of passionate, it may be time to consider a season of rest. Here’s what to know about a pastor’s sabbatical.
6. Preach with Urgency
The best preachers preach with a sense of urgency. They feel the urgency of the Gospel. They know that time is short and eternity is long.
We have a message that is literally the difference between life or death. The implications are Heaven or Hell. Our time is short. Life is a vapor. We never know if this will be our last message or theirs.
Don’t act like the people listening have forever to make a decision. The time to act is now. We are never guaranteed another moment. Preach the gospel like there is no tomorrow, because one day there won’t be.
Don’t wait to prepare for your next sermon. Discover sermon topics you can preach anytime to stay ready for whatever moment God brings.
7. Preach with Compassion
Last but not least, the best preachers preach with heartfelt compassion for their people.
Loving to preach and loving those we preach are two very different things. You need to know their greatest pain, fears, failures, and struggles. Once you know your people on a more intimate level, your preaching will naturally flow out of your compassion for them.
If you do all the above and miss love, you will be nothing more than a man making a lot of noise. (1 Corinthians 13:1) But when you preach with love for your people, you can say a tough word or two, and they will understand that you are only saying it out of love, like a father warns his child not to play in the street.
Preaching with compassion starts with knowing what your people need—whether it’s hope, challenge, or practical help. Explore creative ways to support your ministry with these tips for pastors to generate extra side income.
Become an Effective Pastor With Ministry Pass
Great preaching isn’t just about delivery—it’s also about structure. If you’re looking to grow in both areas, check out these resources to craft an engaging sermon opener, drive your message home with strong sermon conclusions, and improve your delivery with these sermon basics.
Want to enhance your visuals too? Don’t miss our roundup of the best sources for sermon illustrations.
