Gentle Shepherding: Pastoral Ethics And Leadership

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Authors: Joseph E. Bush Jr..

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Gentle Shepherding offers a rare balance in an introduction to pastoral ethics, one that identifies deeply with the pastoral vocation and brings it into conversation with a developed body of ethical theory. The goal of the book is to equip seminarians and pastors with conceptual resources for clarifying moral responsibility in the practice of ministry. This responsibility includes three levels: the minister as a moral agent in offering care; the minister as a moral enabler in encouraging virtue in others; and the minister as a moral leader in facilitating congregational life and witness in society. Helping ministers and seminarians to think anew about their responsibilities and the moral quandaries in pastoral practice, Gentle Shepherding integrates theory with practice, providing case material for further reflection and discussion and at least one case study or exercise associated with each chapter.

This book offers a rare balance in an introduction to pastoral ethics, one that identifies deeply with the pastoral vocation and brings it into conversation with a developed body of ethical theory. The goal of the book is to equip seminarians and pastors with conceptual resources for clarifying moral responsibility in the practice of ministry. This responsibility includes three levels: the minister as a moral agent in offering care; the minister as a moral enabler in encouraging virtue in others; and the minister as a moral leader in facilitating congregational life and witness in society. Helping ministers and seminarians to think anew about their responsibilities and the moral quandaries in pastoral practice, this book integrates theory with practice, providing case material for further reflection and discussion and at least one case study or exercise associated with each chapter.

Gentle Shepherding is a rigourous, yet accessible and practical book on the ethical principles that impact pastors and religious leaders across the religious spectrum.

Gentle Shepherding does three things. First, it discusses about some of the ethical principles that guide pastors in their professional relationships, for example, tell the truth, keep confidentiality, and get informed consent. Second, it offers the philosophical and theological background to the ethical standards for the pastor, in other words, it connects professional ethics to philosophical and theological ethics. Third, it offers some constructive ethics. Ethics is not just a bunch of don'ts; it has some definite dos as well. For example, "tell the truth" doesn't just mean "don't lie," it also means "tell" or name the truth.

In the book, Bush describes how personal character, the capacity to will good and do good, is culturally shaped. Morals are culturally interpreted, and culturally communicated. It is a wonderful, comprehensive, introduction to the moral self.
The first ethical principle Bush addresses is the prime directive of the pastor, nonmaleficience, or "DO NO HARM." Although he gets technical and philosophical, he connects it with its practical implications, e.g. to minimize harm, one needs to be honest, name, refer, refer, refer.
The principle of informed consent is derived from the notions of covenant, community and respect for the other's autonomy.
Bush also discusses fidelity and veracity - fidelity is the building of relationships of trust and keeping promises. Veracity is about the duty not to lie. Is this duty absolute, or is prima facie (that is, binding unless you can show a more important principle, like saving lives)? The other side of veracity is telling the truth. Telling the truth is naming - for example, oppression, domestic violence, addiction. The pastor gives moral empowerment to the person by naming the truth.
Bush also discusses confidentiality, the morality of keeping secrets, or power over information, and about promise keeping.
In the chapters on vocation, Bush links both social and eco justice with the theological notion that we are created in the image of God, bearers of the image of God. Thus is a profound connection between the practical, political and the theological. Bush also addresses the pastor's vocation in the church and in ministry. The church's mission is evangelical, which is to proclaim the gospel in different ways. In other words, there are positive duties upon the pastor to speak, and guide. The path of virtue, the golden mean, is to be neither arrogant and condemming, nor timid and withdrawn from social controversy, but to educate and offer the resources of the vast faith traditions humbly. Pastors are both care-givers and leaders, both gentle and strong.

Gentle Shepherding is is rich, detailed, academically rigourous, even technical. It could only have been written by an ethicist. It is also immensely practical and exhibits a deep love for the church the the persons who serve her. It could only have been written by a pastor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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