Dynamics of Pastoral Care (Ministry Dynamics for a New Century) , livre ebook

Baker Publishing Group - W. Wiersbe David

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81 pages

English

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Description

Pastors are increasingly tempted to view themselves as high-powered CEOs. Wiersbe reminds them of the biblical model: shepherds to God's people. Practical and encouraging.

Sujets

Philosophie et théologie

Informations

Publié par	Baker Publishing Group
Date de parution	01 mars 2000
Nombre de lectures	2
EAN13	9781441215109
Langue	English
Poids de l'ouvrage	1 Mo

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0461€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

Extrait

© 2000 by David W. Wiersbe
Published by Baker Books a division of Baker Publishing Group P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287 www.bakerbooks.com
Ebook edition created 2012
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher and copyright owners. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
ISBN 978-1-4412-1510-9
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®. NIV ®. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.© Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
The internet addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers in this book are accurate at the time of publication. They are provided as a resource. Baker Publishing Group does not endorse them or vouch for their content or permanence.
This book is dedicated to some Roscoe friends who made pastoral ministry a joy
Pastor Dan & Marcia Hormig Ken & Melody Ruge Steve & Carolyn Scherrer Gary & Dianne Wallace
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Series Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction

1 Clarifying the Call
2 Shepherding the Flock
3 Building Relationships
4 Earning Trust
5 Serving
6 Listening
7 Loving
8 Visiting
9 Comforting
10 Leading Worship
11 Celebrating
12 Interceding
Postscript: Final Words of Encouragement

Notes
Resources for Further Study
Subject Index
Scripture Index
About the Author
Other Books by Author
The purpose of the Ministry Dynamics series is to provide both experienced and beginning pastors with concise information that will help them do the task of ministry with efficiency, fruitfulness, and joy.
The word ministry means “service,” something that Jesus exemplified in his own life and that he expects us to practice in our lives. No matter what our title or position, we are in the church to serve God’s people. The word dynamics is not used as an equivalent of “power” but as a reminder that nothing stands still in Christian ministry. If it does, it dies. True biblical ministry involves constant challenge and change, learning and growth, and how we handle these various elements determines the strength and success of the work that we do.
The emphasis in this series is on practical service founded on basic principles and not on passing fads. Some older ministers need to catch up with the present while newer ministers need to catch up on the past. We all can learn much from each other if only we’re honest enough to admit it and humble enough to accept each other’s counsel.
I began pastoring in 1950 and over the years have seen many changes take place in local church ministry, from bus ministries and house churches to growth groups and megachurches. Some of the changes have been good and are now integrated into God’s work in many churches. But some ideas that attracted national attention decades ago now exist only on the pages of forgotten books in used-book stores. How quickly today’s exciting headlines become tomorrow’s footnotes! “Test everything. Hold on to the good” (1 Thess. 5:21).
An ancient anonymous prayer comes to mind:

From the cowardice that shrinks from new truth, From the laziness that is content with half-truths, From the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth, O God of truth, deliver us!

Our desire is that both the seasoned servant and the new seminary graduate will find encouragement and enlightenment from the Ministry Dynamics series.
Warren W. Wiersbe
It was not my idea to write this book. But I’m glad I had the opportunity to do the study and thinking required to put my understanding of pastoral care on paper.
Paul Engle deserves thanks for his wisdom in giving me direction and his patience in taking care of many details.
It was my father’s idea that I write this book, and I am glad for his faith in me and his encouragement. He is my role model, and he is a good one. I especially appreciate his ability to separate his roles as editor and father over this past year.
My dad and mom have lived their faith privately and publicly. Many pastors’ kids grow up to avoid the church and ministry. I serve the church because I was taught to love and trust the church’s Savior. For my rich spiritual heritage I am grateful. I also recognize that to whom much is given, much is required.
When crunch time to finish the book arrived, my wife, Sue, and son, Jon, graciously gave me time and space but still let me feel like part of the family. They continue to be my best teachers and to amaze me with the depth of their love. I owe them a debt of time together, and I pray the Lord grants it to us. There is joy in my life daily because of God’s gifts to me in my wife and son. They both read the manuscript and improved it with their suggestions.
Each of the flocks I have served has molded me as a person and pastor. While I gave my best to each congregation, those churches gave far more to me in return. They were God’s instruments to teach me the work of a spiritual shepherd, and they held me accountable to do it by God’s Word. The checkbook will never show it, but to serve as a pastor is to be rich.
This book is an attempt to express my approach to and understanding of what it means to give pastoral care. For twenty-two years I have been called “pastor,” and during that time I have learned the hard realities of the pastoral call. It is a demanding vocation; it is also a high and holy one. For me, the call to serve as a pastor is shaped by the truth of Scripture and the experience of the church. I am glad God called me to be a pastor in his church.
Webster defines dynamics as “related to energy; energetic; marked by continuous usually productive activity.” This book is about the dynamics of pastoral care those activities in which we engage regularly to introduce people to Jesus and to nurture their relationships with him. Dynamic is related to the Greek word dunamis , which means “power.” So if we as pastors practice the biblical dynamics of care for the flock, God’s power will in time make our efforts productive. Because the title of this book is The Dynamics of Pastoral Care , each chapter title will identify one aspect of continuous pastoral activity that in God’s time will bear fruit.
Over the years I have met many individuals and families hurt by poor pastoral care, or by the absence of care. Bereaved families who experience pastoral insensitivity at their time of loss sometimes choose not to attend church at all. Families change churches because they are tired of being made to feel guilty for not doing more when they are already overburdened. Christians tired of legalism, no longer able to suppress their feelings or hide their pain, express frustration with pastors who don’t let them be honest and real. Some of these saints wonder if pastors are for real.
I have certainly made mistakes as a pastor. But God has been faithful to forgive, and God’s people have extended grace. I have tried to learn from my mistakes and the mistakes of others. I make no claims of perfection or ultimate wisdom. What I offer in this book is founded on Scripture and proven in the crucible of experience.
My first pastorate was in a small church in the Chicago suburbs, where I served a loving and gracious flock of saints for almost six years. My second pastorate lasted fifteen years in an area that made the transition from rural bedroom community to suburb. That church enjoyed steady growth, adding an extra Sunday worship service and an associate pastor over time. The congregation I now serve in rural Iowa previously experienced a steady decline. The dynamics here are definitely different from what I’ve experienced elsewhere.
Regardless of the church situation and history, though, I’ve found that pastoral care involves several basic dynamics. God’s people are sheep who need protection and nourishment. They are soldiers of the kingdom who need encouragement and wisdom. They are the Lord’s garden in need of rain and sunshine and requiring the pulling of weeds. They are God’s family, sometimes experiencing harmony and sometimes entrenched in feuds. The saints are building materials for a church erected to glorify the Lord Jesus, but sometimes these building materials don’t cooperate with the Builder. While pastors must know and act on these biblical images, for care of the saints, the best image is the shepherd with the sheep. The word pastor means “shepherd.” Pastors are to shepherd the flock in their care and to represent the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:2–4).
How does a pastor care for the flock in a biblical way? Explore the possibilities with me.
Much Christian leadership is exercised by people who do not know how to develop healthy, intimate relationships and have opted for power and control instead.
Henri J. M. Nouwen In the Name of Jesus

Be shepherds of the church of God.
Acts 20:28
Recently while reading a ministry magazine, I noticed an advertisement for a staff position at a large church. What attracted my attention was a brief job description emphasizing spiritual preaching skills and secular management skills. I believe that churches have put assunder what God meant to be joined together. Good management should be as spiritual as good preaching.
When I first entered the ministry, the shepherd image shaped my understanding of my identity and call. Today much of what I read about ministry and what I see and hear at Christian conferences seems to be based on a model other than that of pastor as shepherd. The new model for ministry imitates the corporate world, transforming pastors into entrepreneurs and churches into business organizations. Christian books, tapes, and videos depict the churc