Gentle Shepherding provides conceptual resources for understanding moral responsibility in ministry, encompassing the minister as a moral agent, enabler of virtue, and leader in congregational and societal matters.
The book offers an introductory exploration of pastoral ethics, especially those without prior ethics coursework, while also engaging experienced pastors. Integrating moral principles within a Christian context, Gentle Shepherding focuses on pastoral ministry and relationships.
Each chapter introduces moral principles and ethical reasoning within the context of ministerial practice, offering case studies for reflection and discussion. Chapters topics include the shaping of moral character in community, nonmaleficence in ministry, respecting permission in pastoral care, duties of fidelity, and the theological aspects of pastoral vocation.
The book's foundation draws from the author's pastoral and teaching experiences, with the hope of passing on valuable insights gained through interactions with students, colleagues, and congregations.
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. 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.
