The Identity of the Pastor


What is a pastor? That's a question that Michael Westmoreland-White asked today. I thought I'd throw this ditty out there from 17th Century English Bishop -- Gilbert Burnet of Salisbury. I published an edition of his Discourse of the Pastoral Care in 1997. Notice the masculine language -- remember this was first published in 1692.


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A clergyman, by his character and design of life, ought to be a man separated from the cares and concerns of this world, and dedicated to the study and meditation of divine matters. Whose conversation ought to be a pattern for others; a constant preaching to his people. Who ought to offer up the prayers of the people in their name, and as their mouth to God; who ought to be praying and interceding for them in secret, as well as officiating among them in public. Who ought to be distributing among them the bread of life, the Word of God; and to be dispensing among them the sacred rites, which are the badges, the union, and the supports of Christians. he ought to admonish, to reprove, and to comfort them, not only by his general doctrine in his sermons, but from house to house; that so he may do these things more at home and effectually, than can be done from the pulpit. He is to watch over their souls, to keep them from error, and to alarm them out of their sins, and to prepare them for the judgment and life to come. (Gilbert Burnet, Discourse of the Pastoral Care, edited by Robert Cornwall, Edwin Mellen Press, 1997, pp. 71-72).

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