Ancient Wisdom for the Care of Souls
Learning the Art of Pastoral Ministry from the Church Fathers
- 256 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
Ancient Wisdom for the Care of Souls
Learning the Art of Pastoral Ministry from the Church Fathers
About this book
Recovering the Wisdom of Early Christian Figures to Effectively Shepherd Modern Churches
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."
- Applicable: Enriches the spiritual and ministerial practices of modern pastors through ancient church wisdom, pastoral reflections, and examples from Scripture
- Theological and Historical: Features detailed profiles of church fathers, including Ambrose of Milan, Augustine, Gregory of Nazianzus, Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa, and others
- Written for Students and Pastors: Ideal for college-level courses, as well as new or seasoned ministers
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Newsletter Signup
- Endorsements
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Dedication
- Contents
- Foreword
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction The Contemporary Pastor and the Classical Tradition
- Part 1 The Virtues and Spiritual Life of a Pastor
- 1 The Humble Pastor and Basil of Caesarea
- 2 The Spiritual Pastor and Gregory of Nyssa
- 3 The Sacramental Pastor and Ambrose of Milan
- 4 The Skilled Pastor and Origen of Alexandria
- Part 2 The Theological Vision of a Pastor
- 5 The Biblical Pastor and Irenaeus of Lyons
- 6 The Christ-Centered Pastor and Athanasius of Alexandria
- 7 The Theological Pastor and Augustine of Hippo
- 8 The Trinitarian Pastor and Gregory of Nazianzus
- Part 3 The Ministry of a Pastor
- 9 The Contemplative Pastor and Gregory the Great
- 10 The Preaching Pastor and John Chrysostom
- Conclusion Theology and Ministry for the Future
- Suggested Reading
- General Index
- Scripture Index