Yes, that man with all the tattoos and the hair and the high tops and the skinny jeans is my pastor. And that one too! Yes – I know they don’t look like what the world expects… I am not even sure if they own more than one suit. But then again, I don’t really remember the scriptures telling me my pastor had to look like any picture society has created. Then again, I imagine the disciples probably had to regularly say yes, that is my rabbi, my teacher, the one hanging out with the tax collectors and sinners. Yes, he did in fact sit at a well in Samaria and share a cup with a woman of ‘questionable’ past. Yes, the one that heals people – heaven forbid – on the Sabbath.

See, I don’t think good leaders in the church are good leaders because they “look” like good leaders – or because they “act” like good leaders.

1 Timothy 3:1-7 “If anyone wants to provide leadership in the church, good! But there are preconditions. A leader must be well thought of, committed to his wife, cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. He must know what he is talking about, not be overfond of wine, not pushy but gentle, not thin-skinned, not money hungry. He must handle his own affairs well, attentive to his own children and having their respect. For if someone is unable to handle his own affairs, how can he take care of God’s church? He must not be a new believer, lest the position go to his head and the devil trip him up. Outsiders must think well of him, or else the devil will figure out a way to lure him into his trap.”

That is my pastor.

I don’t care if he has tattoos – I care that he is focused first on God, second on his family. I care that he loves his wife and children — and that they love and respect him back. I care that when he speaks from the bible, I can study and check and find confirmation in his teaching. I care that people in the church much more grounded in scripture than I, hear him and respect him. I care that those we should be focused on in this world, the lost and hurting, have access to him and are drawn to the Jesus that shines in the way he lives his life. I care that no matter how “manly” me might appear – he is moved to tears when talking about people who don’t know the love of Jesus in their heart, or when talking of friends taken too soon from this life.

That is my pastor.

He is not perfect, I would be highly suspicious of one who “is”. I know everyone will not understand, not everyone will like him. And that is ok – everyone should find for themselves a church leader who is grounded in biblical teaching, who puts God and Jesus front and center in every part of his life – who inspires people rooted / planted in the house of God to serve and grow and even question and challenge. And who they can proudly say of, “Yes, that is my Pastor”. If that doesn’t look like him to you, that is ok.

But for me, he is my pastor and I am thankful to God for this church where I can plant, root, learn, grow and serve — all while fixing my eyes on Jesus!