Sustaining Pastoral Excellence

Reflections On Excellence In Ministry

Faithful To The Call

A report on consultations by the Fund for Theological Education named 10 attributes of an excellent minister. These attributes highlight what was heard from ministers participating in the FTE consultations on Excellence in Ministry. The list is not intended to be exhaustive nor exclusive, but it does highlight attributes of excellence worth reflecting on.

1. Excellence ministers believe what they are proclaiming. Excellent ministers remain captivated by the story of the Gospel and cannot leave it alone.
2. Excellent ministers love their communities.
3. Excellent ministers display agility, flexibility and grace under pressure.
4. Excellent ministers know how to ask the right questions.
5. Excellent ministers are courageous.
6. Excellent ministers lead with strength and humility. Excellent ministers . . . are compelling people with a remarkabl capacity to turn attention away from themselves and lift up the work of Christ.
7. Excellent ministers know their limits. To be persuasive in their Christian witness, ministers must cultivate a strong sense of self-awareness.
8. Excellent ministers have thriving imagination.
9. Excellent ministers embrace lifelong learning.
10. Excellent ministers mentor.

This list did not provide precise definition for each of these attributes. However, the list does add to the dialog of excellence.