Ancient Wisdom for the Care of Souls: Learning the Art of Pastoral Ministry from the Church Fathers
In addition to the regular demands of preaching and shepherding, modern pastors feel undue pressure to entertain congregants and increase attendance numbers. Often, churches resort to the latest business models to keep pace. But true, life-giving guidance lies in Scripture and the wisdom of those having come before us. Ancient Wisdom for the Care of Souls helps pastors to embrace a classic, biblical vision of ministry through the study of selected pastoral virtues and early church figures. Gregory of Nyssa and Gregory the Great both referred to ministry as “the care of souls.” Calling for a “return to the sources,” professors Coleman M. Ford and Shawn J. Wilhite ponder what a scriptural vision of ministry is, how patristic voices help inform this vision, and how pastors today can cultivate this pastoral vision in their churches. Each chapter examines an important pastoral topic—such as humility, the sacraments, and contemplative theology—and brings it to life through a constructive model and profiles of early church fathers. Encouraged by the patristic wisdom of Irenaeus, Athanasius, John Chrysostom, and more, readers learn a simple and slower model for pastoring that they can emulate as they care for their communities. A slower pace of life may, in fact, help pastors cultivate the soil of souls more richly and, as a result, return to ministry as “the care of souls.”
Publisher: Crossway
Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9781433575495
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Coleman M. Ford (PhD, Southern Seminary) is an assistant professor of humanities at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He serves as a fellow for the Center for Pastor Theologians. He is also the codirector and research fellow for the Center for Ancient Christian Studies. He also serves as an assistant pastor. He is published in the areas of patristic theology and Christian spirituality. Shawn J. Wilhite (PhD, Durham University) is an associate professor of New Testament at California Baptist University in Riverside, California. He is also the codirector and research fellow for the Center for Ancient Christian Studies. He has published books and articles in the areas of New Testament, early Christianity, and patristic literature.
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“When Christian authors of late antiquity are read or consulted today, it usually has to do with matters of doctrine, like their superb and absolutely fundamental reflections on the Trinity, for instance. But their thoughts on piety, pastoral leadership, and soul care are also of immense value for our day. To be sure, they lived in a world quite different from ours in all kinds of ways. However, such basic issues as human pride, abuse of power, and sexual lust were as common in their world as they are in ours. And their wisdom on how to deal with these matters as well as their pungent and powerful reflections on spiritual formation are of enormous value in our bent world. This is a book to be read slowly and treasured.” Michael A. G. Haykin, Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary