Foundations of Christian Leadership, Mentor's Guide, MG07

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F O U N D A T I O N S O F C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

• The concept of pastor can be traced historically from the apostolic admonitions to provide care to one another as members of God’s people in the Church, to the more formal notions of this care being delegated to specific individuals charged with shepherding the body as members of the clergy, or the formal office of the pastorate. • Jesus himself is the prototype for the pastoral ministry, whose life demonstrates the character of the kind of feeding, love, and care God’s flock requires. The Father himself calls and endows his pastors with special authority and gifts 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, those including the episcopal, presbyterian, and congregational forms of church government. • Regardless of the form of government, the pastor functions in the body as 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.

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I. New Testament Meaning of the Term: Poimen

Video Segment 1 Outline

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior of our souls, the Governor of our bodies, and the Shepherd of the catholic church throughout the world. ~ Martyrdom of Polycarp (c. 135, E), 1.39., David W. Bercot, ed. A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1998. p. 146.

A. Word meanings for poimen

1. Shepherd, to shepherd, to provide pastoral care

2. Used in both OT and NT in general sense as to rulership and providing leadership over God’s people

B. Twelve times in NT is synonymous with the concept of “leaders”

1. Shepherd is a verb: to shepherd