They are called pastors for a reason.

In his final words to the spiritual leaders in the church at Ephesus, Paul encouraged them, "Be shepherds of the church of God" (Acts 20:28). The word pastor is just another word for shepherd, and that is exactly what God wants those who are called to serve in his church to be.

Those who serve as ministers in God's church are blessed with a wide variety of talents and abilities. Some are especially gifted in preaching, having the ability to craft powerful sermons that hold people's undivided attention and explain and apply God's Word clearly and practically. Some are able administrators and planners, guiding the programs and activities of a congregation with the skill of a CEO. There are pastors who are skilled and perceptive counselors, effective teachers of Bible class and confirmation class, or great motivators. Some have the ability to speak easily to the unchurched and to share the gospel in practically any setting.

Then there are the gifts of personality. We all know pastors who have an uncanny ability to relate to people of all ages and backgrounds, those who are blessed with a rich sense of humor, or those who always display wise and thoughtful judgment.

Those are characteristics that many people look for in their pastors. All pastors have some of those gifts. No pastor has them all.

But often overlooked in the qualities and characteristics of what people desire in a pastor is perhaps the most important one: someone who has the heart of a shepherd.

A pastor with a heart of a shepherd sincerely loves each member of the flock that God has entrusted to his care. It's that kind of love that will move a pastor to rejoice when his people rejoice and to mourn when his people mourn. It's that kind of love that will lead him to speak the very words of God to his people publicly and privately, calling them to repentance when needed and assuring them of God's full and free forgiveness no matter how ugly the sin. It is that kind of love that will move a pastor to devote himself fully to the study of the Word of God, because he knows that it is only when he is equipped with God's truth that he can really serve God's people well. It is that kind of love that reminds a pastor that the ministry is not about him or his success or accomplishments, but rather about what he can do to bring God's people daily to the foot of the cross of Christ. It is love for the members of his flock that will lead a pastor to remember that God expects him to be an example to that flock—not an example of someone who does not sin but an example of a redeemed child of God who treasures God's forgiveness and who strives to live a life of thankfulness and obedience to a gracious God.

The Germans have a nice word to describe what is really important in a pastor. He is to be a Seelsorger, someone who cares for souls.