INTRODUCTION TO

PASTORAL MINISTRY
Dr. Patrick Manning
January 18
 WHY PASTORAL THEOLOGY

“A sound pastoral formation demands not only engaging in

apostolic activities, but also the study of pastoral theology. This
will benefit, where necessary, from the useful contribution of
the human sciences, especially of psychology, pedagogy and
sociology.” (Ratio Fundamentalis, no.122)
 WHY PASTORAL THEOLOGY
“It needs to be studied therefore as the true and genuine
theological discipline that it is; pastoral or practical theology.
It is a scientific reflection on the Church as she is built up
daily, by the power of the Spirit, in history; on the Church as
the "universal sacrament of salvation," as a living sign and
instrument of the salvation wrought by Christ through the
word, the sacraments and the service of charity. Pastoral
theology is not just an art. Nor is it a set of exhortations,
experiences and methods. It is theological in its own right,
because it receives from the faith the principles and criteria
for the pastoral action of the Church in history, a Church that
each day "begets" the Church herself… Among these
principles and criteria, one that is specially important is that
of the evangelical discernment of the socio - cultural and
ecclesial situation in which the particular pastoral action has
to be carried out.”
- JPII, Pastores Dabo Vobis, #57
 PASTORAL THEOLOGY

The branch of theology that seeks not only deeper knowledge

of God but also the enhancement of pastoral practice by means
of reflecting on the experiences of ministers, the Christian
community, and humanity as a whole in light of revelation,
other areas of theology, and the human sciences.
 PASTORAL THEOLOGY

Draws upon and integrates other areas of theology:

• Biblical studies
• Moral theology
• Church history
• Liturgical studies
• Systematic theology
 PASTORAL THEOLOGY

Draws upon secular disciplines:

• Sociology
• Psychology & counseling
• Pedagogy
• Leadership & administration

It also draws upon the experience of ministers, the Christian

community, and humanity as a whole.
QUESTIONS?
 CONTEMPORARY US CULTURE &
THE REALITY OF MINISTRY TODAY
WHAT SHOULD A CATHOLIC
MINISTER’S ATTITUDE BE
TOWARD THE WIDER
CULTURE?
(A theology for engaging culture)
 HOW DID JESUS ENGAGE HIS
CULTURE?

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (Jn
1:14)
 HOW DID EARLY CHRISTIANS
ENGAGE THEIR CULTURE?
“I take it as admitted by men of sense, that the first of our advantages
is education; and… even that external culture which
many Christians ill-judgingly abhor, as treacherous and dangerous,
and keeping us afar from God. For as we ought not to neglect the
heavens, and earth, and air, and all such things, because some have
wrongly seized upon them, and honour God's works instead of God:
but to reap what advantage we can from them for our life and
enjoyment, while we avoid their dangers; not raising creation, as
foolish men do, in revolt against the Creator, but from the works
of nature apprehending the Worker, and, as the divine apostle says,
bringing into captivity every thought to Christ.”
- St. Gregory of Nazianzus (329-390), Oration 43
HOW SHOULD WE ENGAGE TODAY’S
CULTURE?: GAUDIUM ET SPES

• Be leaven in the world (nos. 40, 58)

• Live in this world but for the sake of God’s reign (nos.
42-43)
• Learn what you can from the world (no. 44)
FEATURES OF CONTEMPORARY
U.S. CULTURE
 “SEEDS” OF THE GOSPEL IN
TODAY’S U.S. CULTURE

• human wisdom and sciences

• art
• gifts of cultures (e.g., US Latinos)
“SEEDS” OR “WEEDS” IN OUR
CULTURE?

• media/tech explosion
• anti-institution sentiments
• spiritual seeking
 “WEEDS” IN OUR CULTURE

• Materialism and consumerism

• Economic inequality
• Breakdown of community
• Racism, religious prejudice, xenophobia
 U.S. CATHOLIC PARISHES
TODAY
• Declining priestly and religious vocations
• Shifts in geographic concentration of Catholics
• Shifts in cultural makeup of U.S. Catholics
• Greater role of the laity
• Declining participation in the sacraments
• Increasingly stressed finances
• Technological opportunities and challenges

Source: Catholic Parishes of the 21st Century

 WHY CHRISTIAN MINISTRY?
The Church’s mission is to redirect human affairs back to God. She
does this by:
• Reminding people of our final destiny/fulfillment (GES,
no.41)
• safeguarding human dignity, rights, and freedom (41)
• unifying people and causes (42)
• instilling virtues (43)
• mediating salvation (45)
 COMPREHENSION CHECK

Why does our society need Christian ministry today?

(write your answer)

 RECAP

• The modern Church seeks to purify culture and works

within culture without being captive to it.
• The development of culture is part of God’s plan for
humanity, but human sin leads to corruptions of culture.
• Some aspects of current culture are consistent with God’s
hopes for humanity, some are not, others are ambiguous.
Ministry requires discerning among them.
• Because sin has distorted human culture, the world needs
Christian ministry to reorder human affairs toward love of
God and neighbor.