Pastoral Theology from a Global Perspective: A Case Study Approach

Multi-cultural and global in design Pastoral Theology from a Global Perspective brings concrete and applicable resources to Christian leaders around the world who are struggling with problems of pastoral care. This practical easy-to-use approach to pastoral theology is designed to hone pastoral skills in five central areas: -the role of women in church and society -empowering marginalized peoples -economic justice and ecology -reconciliation and peacemaking -caring for human needs Fifteen case studies accompanied by teaching notes and commentaries illustrate the diversity and commonalities of pastoral care in different parts of the world: an ordained Indian woman assigned as an associate pastor is threatened by male church members who say she is not permitted to preach from the pulpit or serve the Eucharist; missionaries to Haiti face critical decisions about supplying chemical fertilizer to a destitute hillside village; a Hispanic community considers illegally occupying a government nature reserve to save their community sheep herd; a Ugandan pastor deals with violence and healing in a community struggling to recover from civil war. This book explodes our narrower assumptions about pastoral concerns. Gaylord Noyce Yale University Divinity School This book provides a glimpse into the varying dimensions of human life and challenges the predominant systems of values which negate the complex web of relationships at the heart of the cultures of many people. Edna J. Orteza World Council of Churches A wonderful resource for teaching pastoral theology. Roxanne Jordaan United Congregational Church of Southern Africa Provides powerful case studies that will prove to be very valuable in efforts to bring a much needed cross-cultural Christian perspective to our teaching and learning. Joseph C. Hough Jr. Union Theological Seminary H. S. Wilson a church historian and liberation theologian is executive secretary of the Department of Theology for the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. Dr. Judo Poerwowidagdo a theological educator from Indonesia is executive secretary for Asia and the Pacific in the Ecumenical Theological Education Programme of the World Council of Churches. Dr. Takatso Mofokeng a professor of systematic theology at the University of South Africa is chair of the South African Association of Theological Institutions. Robert A. Evans and Alice Frazer Evans are co-directors of the Plowshares Institute and co-editors of several books of case studies including Christian Ethics and The Globalization of Theological Education.