In Pastoral Practices, Mark Maddix and Diane Leclerc bring together an invaluable collection of essays composed by some of the most outstanding pastoral and theological perspectives in the Wesleyan tradition. With each essay covering a different aspect of the pastoral ministry, Pastoral Practices helps create a more wholistic understanding of the complexity of the demands of the pastoral office. Wesleyan theology offers a rich foundation upon which pastors can shape their pastoral practices rooted in scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. Particularly encouraging is the rich understanding of the wholistic approach to pastoral care and evangelism that the Wesleyan tradition offers.
For the pastor, the care of the congregation is much more than visitation. Too many pastors get burned out trying to oblige the demands of pastoral care. Sadly, this is the result of pastoral care become segregated from other aspects of the pastoral office. Much can be gained from the Wesleyan theological tradition which is concern with wellbeing of the whole person. Therefore, pastoral care must extend beyond the meeting of congregational needs to extend to the …show more content…
As such, many approaches were used that neglected the way of Jesus to “convert” as many as possible. The Wesleyan tradition offers an important corrective to this approach. First, Wesley, influenced by the Eastern Fathers, was deeply shaped by relational nature of the Trinity and the character of God’s love. The relationship God invites his creation to enter is one of a lifelong journey of growth in love for God and neighbor that is greatly diminished when reduced to nothing more than a transactional prayer. Consequently, evangelism for Wesleyans is more about sharing this lifelong journey in the grace of God through intentional relationship than merely desiring people to be
For the pastor, the care of the congregation is much more than visitation. Too many pastors get burned out trying to oblige the demands of pastoral care. Sadly, this is the result of pastoral care become segregated from other aspects of the pastoral office. Much can be gained from the Wesleyan theological tradition which is concern with wellbeing of the whole person. Therefore, pastoral care must extend beyond the meeting of congregational needs to extend to the …show more content…
As such, many approaches were used that neglected the way of Jesus to “convert” as many as possible. The Wesleyan tradition offers an important corrective to this approach. First, Wesley, influenced by the Eastern Fathers, was deeply shaped by relational nature of the Trinity and the character of God’s love. The relationship God invites his creation to enter is one of a lifelong journey of growth in love for God and neighbor that is greatly diminished when reduced to nothing more than a transactional prayer. Consequently, evangelism for Wesleyans is more about sharing this lifelong journey in the grace of God through intentional relationship than merely desiring people to be