A pastor has been stabbed to death outside his home in northern California after meeting with a member of his parish.

Herbert Valero died at the scene in Salinas near San Jose on Tuesday night after suffering a stab wound to his neck, according to KSBW-8 TV.

A close friend of the 68 year old, city council member Tony Barrera told the broadcaster: "Pastor Herb was a servant of the community; he dedicated his life to God.

"He was determined to make somebody's life a little bit better. He was able to minister broken men and women.

"He would go into the prisons, Chinatown, he would go everywhere. Herb is not going to leave a void, he is going to leave a legacy."

Herbert Valero served at the Victory Outreach Church in Salinas.

According to police, Valero told members of his family he was going outside to meet Servando Ayala Silva, 37 year old parishioner.

Minutes later, Valero ran into the house grasping his neck and claiming that Silva stabbed him, prompting relatives to dial 911.

Silva left the scene but later returned, before being arrested on suspicion of homicide.

It is unknown what motive was behind the attack.