Pastoral Identity

True Shepherds in the Household of Faith

Author: Douglas D. Webster

A charge for pastors to re-envision their role in a world suspicious of Christianity

Webster calls pastors to reject "Christendom" approaches to church leadership that require the pastor to exert control over the church's direction and ministry. Such models differ fundamentally from the New Testament "household of faith" vision of pastoral ministry, which affirms the disciple-making responsibility of the whole community, the priesthood of all believers, and the shared gifts of the Spirit.

Rather than perpetuate pastoral leadership based on individual initiative, institutional power, and personal charisma, experienced pastor and seminary professor Douglas Webster defines a New Testament model of the pastor, outlining the major features of pastoring among the household of faith, such as:

Viewing the church as an every-member ministry
Seeking synergy between pastoral identity and congregational identity
Prioritizing a pastor's daily rhythms of grace in prayer, study, and care for the body
Supporting pastor-theologians who shepherd believers in the whole counsel of God

Such pastoral authority and guidance require mutual submission in Christ. Pastors and laypeople alike let go of dominant cultural models of pastoring and embrace the values of Christ's kingdom.

Author:

Douglas D. Webster (Ph.D., University of St. Michael’s College) is professor of pastoral theology and preaching at Beeson Divinity School, Samford University. He served as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of San Diego for fourteen years as well as churches in New York City, Denver, and Toronto. His other books include, Follow the Lamb: A Pastoral Approach to The Revelation and Preaching Hebrews: The End of Religion and Faithfulness to the End. Find him at douglasdwebster.com.

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