The Care of Souls
by Harold L. Senkbeil | Book Summary
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Author: Harold L. Senkbeil
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The best pastors are the ones who are focused on the care of souls through application of the Word of God and the administration of the sacraments. This requires:
Ultimately, pastoral ministry and the care of souls is a habitus, a way of life that is developed over time through the practice of pastoral ministry. Pastors who are careful to listen, accurately diagnose, and intentionally treat the souls of the congregation will grow into faithful pastors. |
Harold Senkbeil is an executive director of DOXOLOGY: The Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care. He has over five decades of experience in various settings ranging from the pastorate to the seminary classroom and even parachurch leadership. Harold was educated at Concordia College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts, and then at Concordia Theological Seminary, where he received a Master of Divinity.
Harold is the author of a number of books including: Dying to Live: the Power of Forgiveness; Christ and Calamity: Grace and Gratitude in the Darkest Valley; Pastoral Leadership: For the Care of Souls; and Sanctification: Christ in Action.
The Care of Souls
by Harold L. Senkbeil
[ Book Summary ]
| Author | Harold L. Senkbeil |
| Publisher | Lexham Press |
| Date | 2019 |
| Pages | 312 |
Overview:
What is it exactly that a pastor is called to do? Everyone has some sense of what a pastor does in that they see him up front preaching on Sundays or at weddings and funerals. A pastor, however, is more than just a public speaker. The pastoral calling is ultimately to bring Jesus to people and people to Jesus through the dual means of the ministry of the Word and sacraments. Pastoral ministry is about the presence of God.
The best pastors are the ones who are focused on the care of souls through application of the Word of God and the administration of the sacraments. This requires:
- Accurate diagnosis of the spiritual ailments afflicting the congregation
- Intentional treatment of those ailments with the Word and sacraments.
Ultimately, pastoral ministry and the care of souls is a habitus, a way of life that is developed over time through the practice of pastoral ministry. Pastors who are careful to listen, accurately diagnose, and intentionally treat the souls of the congregation will grow into faithful pastors.
Harold Senkbeil is an executive director of DOXOLOGY: The Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care. He has over five decades of experience in various settings ranging from the pastorate to the seminary classroom and even parachurch leadership. Harold was educated at Concordia College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts, and then at Concordia Theological Seminary, where he received a Master of Divinity.
Harold is the author of a number of books including: Dying to Live: the Power of Forgiveness; Christ and Calamity: Grace and Gratitude in the Darkest Valley; Pastoral Leadership: For the Care of Souls; and Sanctification: Christ in Action.