Pastor Theologian Program
Encouraging and enhancing the
theological vocation of pastors
Pastors today are busier than ever
with administration, organization, visitation and mobilization.
There are bulletins to produce, session meetings to moderate
and committee meetings to attend. And, lest we forget, there are
sermons that must be written, governing body responsibilities
that we have promised to uphold and community events that we
should attend. Last but not least, our families who have a right
to our time.
Administrator, preacher, teacher,
citizen, parent, spouse. Pastors are all of those things. With
all these hats we wear, we must ask ourselves — are we still theologians?
Theologians study the things of God, seeking to discern how
God’s will is worked out in everyday life. Pastors are
supposed to be on the front line of theological thinking — but
who has the time?
Pastors are supposed to! Pastors are to take the time to think
out the questions of their times and their communities with
the re-sources of vigorous, prayerful, sustained attention to
the faith. But the solitary act of doing theology does not have
the visibility of sitting in a parishioner’s living room
or going to the Junior High lock-in. The sad fact is that what
is not seen is not often rewarded.
The Office of Theology and Worship of the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.) believes that skills of preaching, teaching, visiting
and chaperoning are all built on the pastor’ s theological
foundation. Because of this, we offer the Pastor-Theologian
Program.
Pastor-Theologian
Consultations
The Pastor-Theologian Program
gathers Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) pastors from diverse localities
and theological perspectives to think theologically and pray together.
Pastors gather not to hear from theologians, but to work as theologians
Pastors first write or call the
Office of Theology and Worship expressing interest in admission
to the program. When accepted, participants receive several significant
books and articles relating to the material to be covered. Participants
write an assigned paper, which is distributed in advance to the
rest of the group. At the Consultation, participants engage each
other and their work. Consultations themselves are usually held
at a conference center for three days, and typically include 10-15
pastors along with a convener from the Office of Theology and
Worship.
Although the work is demanding, there is time for recreation
and rest. A cycle of daily hours is observed for worship and
prayer. Through deliberate, sustained attention to the things
of God, pastors renew their sense of vocation. Bonds of collegial
friendship are formed, and further strengthened at a follow-up
Consultation several months after the first gathering.
Recent Consultation topics have included: the Resurrection
of the Body, the Gospel and Contemporary Culture, Liturgical
Theology, the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, Christ and Salvation,
and Ordination.
Upcoming consultations
November 2008: Is Heresy Possible?
The Greek root of “heresy” is “to choose.” The implication is that the faithful follow the rule of faith, while a heretic chooses to depart from some aspect of the received faith of the church.
Today, we are averse to the concept of heresy and even more uncomfortable with branding an individual as a heretic. We live in a time when the church celebrates theological diversity as a good gift, and writing personal belief statements is de riguer. Once presbyteries examined candidates for ordination to determine if they professed the faith of the church; now we listen for their ability to articulate their personal views. Candidates for ministry may be denied advancement in the ordination process for a variety of reasons, but heresy is almost never one of them. Meanwhile, the church’s doctrinal differences are settled on polity grounds rather than on a determination of right belief (orthodoxy). Read more.
How can we get involved?
Pastor-Theologian Program participants
report that it has proven wonderfully beneficial — to their
own vocational passion, and to the churches they serve. They also
find their sense of connection with pastoral colleagues and the
denomination deeply strengthened. To get involved in this significant
program, you may:
- Nominate yourself or other pastors whom you would recommend
to be part of a nationwide Consultation.
- Contact our office about developing a Local Consultation
Program in your area.
- Consider supporting the program financially. There is an
Extra Commitment Offering opportunity that will help us keep
this program going far into the future, with your support.
Please contact Catherine Reuning to inquire about participating
in a pastor theologian consultation, or to learn more about
how you or your church might help fund pastor theologian consultations.
For more information, contact:
Charles Wiley
Coordinator for the Office of Theology and Worship
(888) 728-7228 x5734
Fax: (502) 569-8060
The Pastor-Theologian Program is administered
through the Office of Theology and Worship, a ministry of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) |
