For leadership to be both sustainable and impactful, pastors must regularly pause and assess their direction, says Pastor Dr Chew Weng Chee.

A former consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Pastor Chew founded SIBKL in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, and led the church for 30 years before passing on the baton last year.

A seasoned pastor and respected Christian leader, he now guest lectures on leadership at Tung Ling Bible School in Singapore, Bible College of Malaysia and other seminaries.

In a recent interview, we asked him: What are the must-have traits of pastoral leadership?

Pastor Chew shared his 5 ‘V’s of leadership – essential traits every pastor must embody to fly high and last long in ministry and life.

1. Leaders must be visionary

“A pastor must have a vision from God. Without vision, the people perish,” Pastor Chew stressed.

Over the years, he has learned to prioritise time in God’s presence over tasks that others can handle.

“If I try to do everything, I would not have time to seek God’s vision for the church, to ask for the big picture and allow Him to download it to us,” he said.

For over 20 years, Pastor Chew has set aside a mid-year retreat to fast, pray and seek God’s guidance for the coming year. It is a practice that has changed the way he leads.

“I have found it very beneficial to seek God intentionally at the mid-year mark for the coming year, because if you leave it too late, you won’t have time to plan and execute well,” he said.

2. Leaders must have these “vital signs”

As a doctor, Pastor Chew understands the importance of vital signs, such as one’s pulse rate and blood pressure. These indicators prove the presence of life, energy and vitality. 

Likewise, he shared two essential signs of strong pastoral leadership.

“First, we have to love the Lord, no matter what. As pastors, we have to take a step back and ask ourselves: Why are we doing this or that? It must be because we love Him,” he said passionately.

The second vital sign? Loving people.

While some may wonder if this comes naturally or must be developed, Pastor Chew believes it’s learned over time.

“At the end of the day, people really don’t care how much you know. We need to connect, to relate and to care. Until and unless they know you, there will be no buy-in to your leadership,” he said.

He also reminded leaders to embrace their humanity.

“We all make mistakes, and we will. As Christians and as leaders. But they will forgive you. Why? It’s because they love you, because they know how much you love them,” he said.

3. Leadership must be viable

Thirdly, pastoral leadership must be viable in the long run.

Pastor Chew emphasised that a pastor’s viability depends on three key areas: devotional, domestic, and developmental health – a framework introduced by Pastor Edmund Chan.

“Your devotional life has to be strong. There are no shortcuts here. It is not about the planning, the strategising, the ideation. It is time you spend unhurryingly in God’s presence through prayer, the Word and worship,” he said.

The domestic aspect is just as crucial.

“Your relationship with your spouse and children has to be strong. There’s no point impressing the whole world, then going home and quarrelling intensely,” he said.

Finally, leaders must prioritise growth.

“Recharge yourself on the run. You cannot give what you don’t have, and no pastor can lead the church the same way for 30 years,” he said.

His advice? Read widely, connect with other pastors, attend conferences and find ways to stay encouraged. Recharge on the run.

4. Leaders must be visible

“Visible leadership isn’t about profiling. It’s about being felt and seen,” Pastor Chew said. “As a pastor, those under your care must sense your presence in their lives.”

A hallmark of strong leadership is making time for people.

As a young pastor, he sought advice from seasoned leaders on managing his schedule. He was surprised to find that some had no time for funerals, weddings, hospital visits or counselling.

“Their time was occupied with running church, services and programmes that they had no time to meet people. I told myself if this is what being a pastor is, I don’t want it,” he recalled.

Pastor Chew lives by a simple mantra: Meet your leaders, but mingle with the crowd.

Every week, he stands at the sanctuary doors greeting members, welcoming newcomers and simply being there.

“One thing I’ve always tried to do is remember everyone’s name. These days, it’s harder but I still try,” the 78-year-old said with a chuckle.

5. Leadership must be victorious

There must be results in our leadership, said Pastor Chew. But success isn’t just about numbers.

“We have to see souls saved, reconciled relationships, healing, peace amongst members, families restored, the growth of leaders. These are fruits that reveal the success of your leadership,” he explained.

Results are evidence that God is in the house – that His vision is being carried out through your church and leadership, he added.

To last, make time for rest

Though Pastor Chew and his wife, Pastor Dr Lee Choo, have stepped down as senior pastors, their days remain full.

Pastor Chew’s latest mission is to refresh and revive small churches across Malaysia, while Pastor Lee Choo is focused on rebuilding prayer altars nationwide.

Despite their busy schedules, Pastor Dr Chew Weng Chee and his wife, Pastor Lee Choo make time to rest, relax and do the things they enjoy. “If we want to fly high and last long in ministry, we must remember that we’re normal people too,” he said.

Yet, amid their busyness, they’ve learned the value of rest and recreation. 

“Understanding who we are as human beings created by God helps us make wise choices for sustainable ministry,” Pastor Chew shared.

He swims weekly and exercises regularly. Both he and Pastor Lee Choo love watching movies, travelling and spending time with their children and grandchildren.

He said: “It’s important to rest, enjoy life and do what brings you joy. If we want to fly high and last long in ministry, we must remember that we’re normal people too.”

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