What Does It Take To Be A Pastor?

Pastor: Jeff Love

Looking Ahead With Wisdom and Faith

Just a few days ago, we were looking forward to Christmas. Now, Christmas is behind us, and we find ourselves on the last Sunday of 2025.

For many, 2025 was a good year—and it was a good year here at Bridgepoint. We’ve seen people come to Christ, believers take steps of obedience through baptism, and many continue growing through discipleship. We’ve watched example after example of men and women representing Jesus well outside the walls of our church—serving faithfully, loving generously, and living out their faith in everyday life.

We are deeply thankful—for our staff, for volunteers, for those who pray, serve, and give. God has used this church family to make a difference not only locally, but around the world.

As we look toward a new year, one thing is certain: important decisions are ahead. That’s true for each of us personally—and it’s true for us as a church.

A Season of Transition

Change is inevitable. Over the past season, we’ve talked openly about transition and succession, praying carefully and planning wisely. Today marks a significant moment in that process. On January 18, 2026, Bridgepoint will be voting on an important decision regarding our next Senior Pastor.

This isn’t a typical end-of-year moment. The decision about pastoral leadership is one of the most important decisions a church makes. Because of that, we turned to Scripture—not opinion, not preference—to guide us.

God’s Design for Church Leadership

In 1 Timothy 3:1–7, the Apostle Paul lays out clear, thoughtful principles for pastoral leadership. These aren’t merely qualifications for a job; they are reflections of God’s design for those who shepherd His people.

Paul reminds us first that Christ is the Head of the Church. He is the designer of its structure, its boundaries, and its leadership. Pastors—also referred to as elders, bishops, or shepherds in Scripture—serve as under-shepherds, accountable to Him.

A desire to serve as a pastor is described as a good and honorable thing. Yet that desire isn’t proven by a title or a position—it’s demonstrated through serving God by serving others. Ministry begins long before a platform ever appears.

Character Before Competence

One of the most striking truths in this passage is that character matters more than skill set. While every role requires ability, pastoral leadership begins with integrity, maturity, and a consistent walk with God.

The call to be “blameless” doesn’t mean perfect—it means trustworthy. It speaks to reputation, humility, faithfulness, and spiritual stability. Family life matters deeply. Faithfulness in marriage, leadership in the home, and a balanced approach to parenting all reveal much about a person’s readiness to lead others spiritually.

Paul also warns against pride and immaturity. Leadership places a target on a person’s back, and spiritual pride has brought down many before. The question becomes: Who is receiving the glory—God or the individual?

Leadership That Serves

Scripture paints a clear picture of biblical leadership: not power over others, but service among them. Pastors are called to lead by example, not from above but from within the flock—anchored in prayer, grounded in God’s Word, and motivated by love rather than obligation or gain.

Reputation matters not only within the church but in the wider community. Integrity at home, in business, and in everyday relationships reflects the credibility of the gospel itself.

Moving Forward Together

Bridgepoint has always believed in thoughtful, prayerful leadership development. Throughout Scripture, we see God preparing leaders through seasons of mentorship and transition—Moses and Joshua, Paul and Timothy. We’ve practiced that same model here.

Over many years, we’ve had the opportunity to observe Adam—not through a résumé, but through life, ministry, faithfulness, and character. After a careful, prayerful process involving church leadership, deacons, trustees, and elders, we have evaluated his life and calling through the lens of Scripture.

With confidence and gratitude, I recommend to you that we affirm Adam as the next Senior Pastor of Bridgepoint.

How We Support Our Leaders

As we step into a new year and a new season, there are simple but powerful ways we can care for those who lead and serve us:

• Pray for them — often and intentionally.

• Serve alongside them — ministry was never meant to be carried alone.

• Encourage them — a word, a note, or a message can matter more than you know.

God has been faithful to Bridgepoint, and He will continue to be faithful as we move forward together. With prayerful hearts and confident hope, we look ahead to a new year filled with new opportunities to glorify Him.