A pastor is known by the following characteristics:
- Called by God and not someone seeking honour, respect, self-comfort etc. (1Corinthians 12:28; 1Peter 5:2)
- Have a personal encounter with God and a good knowledge of God's word (Jeremiah 2:8; Jeremiah 3:5)
- Compassionate and tender-hearted (Mark 6:34; Matthew 14:14)
- Have a relationship with the sheep (John 10:3,5)
- Places high value on the soul of man (John 10:9-13)
- Visits, feeds, restores, and protects the sheep (Jeremiah 23:2; Ezekiel 34:12-16)
- Good example for the sheep. He leads and lives by example (Titus 2:7; 1Timothy 3:1-7)