Cornerstone Curriculum, Official Certification Edition

312 / CORNERSTONE CURRICULUM STUDENT WORKBOOK

In both the OT and NT, the image of shepherding is given for the leader of God’s people, roeh in Hebrew and poimen in koine Greek, with both meaning “shepherd,” “to shepherd,” and to “provide pastoral care.” The Lord God, rulers and kings, and the coming Messiah are all perceived as shepherds of God’s people. The concept of pastor developed throughout the Church, from the care that all Christians provided to eventually a formal role for those individuals who would care for God’s flock. Jesus himself is the prototype for the pastoral ministry, and God calls and gifts particular individuals to provide this care for the Church. Depending on the government structure of the church, the pastor exercises his care giving responsibility in different ways, but all through the functions of a shepherd , i.e., one who teaches and preaches the Word, administers the sacraments, comforts the bereaved, performs marriages, and equips the body for the work of the ministry. The Word of God provides three clear models and analogies of what a pastor does as care giver to the people of God as his flock. The pastor is a nurturer who ensures that God’s people receive proper nourishment, feeding, tending, and care. Furthermore, the pastor is a protector and guardian who guards the people of God against any predators or situations which would seek to harm or destroy them. Finally, the pastor is a leader called to go before the people of God and lead them into the fullness of the will of God for their individual and corporate lives. More than ever before the urban church needs pastors who will nourish, protect, and lead urban disciples of Christ to mature in Christ and give witness to the Kingdom of God in the city. God makes unequivocal promises to those who faithfully fulfill their work of shepherding the flock of God – they will receive the unfading crown of glory when the Chief Shepherd appears at the Second Coming. If you are interested in pursuing some of the ideas of The Christian Leader as Pastor (Poimenes) , you might want to give these books a try: Dawn, Marva, and Eugene H. Peterson, Peter Santucci, eds. The Unnecessary Pastor: Rediscovering the Call . Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000. Hansen, David. The Art of Pastoring: Ministering without All the Answers . Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1994. Oden, Thomas C. Pastoral Theology: Essentials of Ministry . New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1983. Willimon, William H. Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2002.

Restatement of the Lesson’s Thesis

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Resources and Bibliographies