It has been said about Africa that the church there is “a mile wide and an inch deep.” I would contend that if the church in Africa is “a mile wide and an inch deep” then the Church in North America is “A mile wide and a centimeter deep.”
One of these places of late has been the arena of pastoral theology.
Much of pastoral theology has to do with a Biblical wisdom. The way a pastor interacts in his community, the way that he raises his children and loves his wife, the language and the care that he puts into both the content and the wording of a sermon, the way that he uses platforms like social media, demonstrate the way that the Bible has shaped his heart and mind and tongue.
Forms, Authenticity and Pastoral Depth
In modern day evangelicalism, there has been a reaction to forms – form prayers, forms for baptism or the Lord’s Supper, forms for marriage, etc. The use of forms appears to be inauthentic, etc. It is increasingly uncommon for a couple to use form vows on their wedding day. It has to come from me. It has to be authentic. That’s the slogan. Much of the Biblical nature of a wedding vow, of a covenant between a man and a woman before God, has been lost as a result.
I acknowledge that forms can be used in a wooden manner. That it can become rote. That it can become thoughtless.
But think about it this way. A form used in a wooden way, but from the heart and in language shaped by the Word of God, is still better than the Biblical/theological ignorance that is becoming so widespread in our times.
I don’t believe that it is necessary to put the church in a straight-jacket – “you have to use this Book of Common Prayer or else”. That kind of behavior becomes conscience-binding. But at this point in history we have access to many traditions that have warm, pastoral theology. Consider not least Anglicanism, Lutheranism and the Dutch Reformed & Presbyterian traditions.
What new prayer & song books will develop in the next 200 years as we dig deep into our rich theological history?
Resources for Pastors
My collection is growing. These books have great value for family worship, for church liturgies, and for pastoral care in the church.
My newest book is the Pastoral Care Companion of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. This book has resources for services and rites, for pastoral care, for feast days. It includes prayers for a vast array of pastoral issues, as well as applicable Bible verses.
I’ve been quite familiar with the Book of Forms and Prayers of the United Reformed Churches of North America which includes forms for baptism and the Lord’s Supper, the Three Forms of Unity, liturgical prayers, as well as a variety of prayers for daily life. My familiarity comes from my time working as a pastor in the URCNA.
This would include access to the Trinity Psalter Hymnal of the URCNA and OPC as well as the Book of Praise of the Canadian Reformed Churches.
On my shelf I have the Service Book and Hymnal authorized by the Lutheran Churches cooperating in The Commission on the Liturgy and Hymnal. I also have a couple different versions of the Book of Common Prayer from the Anglican world.
As a heads up some of these denominations have woke newer versions and theologically sound older versions. You also have to be discerning as to some of the minor theological differences between these various traditions.
Always Ready
The ups and downs of ministry take a toll on a pastor and sometimes it can be an emotional and spiritual roller coaster for a pastor to move from one disaster and/or challenge to the next.
Having these kinds of resources means that a pastor can turn to and receive the pastoral wisdom and deep piety of the ages in the heat of these present spiritual battles.
Resources for New Churches
We live during times of revolution, but we also see reform breaking out in the midst of spiritual death and liberalism in so many different churches.
Many elders who deeply desire to serve the Lord are uneducated or are new to service in the church. They have many of the qualifications for eldership, but are not always particularly knowledgeable in the Scriptures or historic Christian theology.
These kinds of resources can help guide and educate elders on the job.
Deepening a Sense of Pastoral Theology
As Reformed Churches & pastors we want to not just be walking and talking theology heads.
We want to bring the warmth of the ministry of the Word and Spirit into dark places & in dark times. And so it is important for all the pastors & elders & deacons of the church to be learning from the church of the past as we shepherd our congregants in the present. That will come from pastors who have a robust love for Scripture, for prayer, and are willing to learn with the church of all times and ages, as the Spirit carries godly men into dark places with the light of Christ burning bright.
There is a gold mine that we are sitting on. We have but to dig.
Photo by suradeach saetang on Unsplash
Note. You will also find this article published over at nathanzekveld.substack.com
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