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

a. A shift from mere Christian “one anothers” to a focused responsibility of pastoral care

b. Two reasons emerge for this focus during the time of the 2nd and 3rd centuries. (1) The abuse of power by some who acted as if they were legitimate leaders of the flock but who fleeced them instead (2) The need for an orderly approach to ministry to exercise church discipline

6. Thomas C. Oden, Constitutions of the Holy Apostles , Cyprian, Origen, Ignatius of Antioch and John Chrysostom (Oden, pp. 41-53)

a. By the fourth century: pastoral care evolves to be the specific responsibility of those holding pastoral offices, to the exclusion of the ministry of the whole people of God.

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b. Church division between the Eastern and Western understandings of the faith reinforced the principle that pastoral care was the responsibility and ministry of those holding a pastoral or priestly office.

c. This focus on pastoral care as the exclusive domain of a distinct class wasn’t challenged or broadened again in a strong way until the 16th century, which reintroduced the idea of including all Christians as care givers in the Church.