Ministry of the Church: Image of Pastoral Care

The focal point of this study of ministry in the Church is service, the service of the whole people of God which is reflected most completely in the image of the Shepard. Drawing on Scriptural, patristic, especially from the writings of Sts. Basil the Great, Gregory Nazianzen and John Chrysostom, historical and liturgical sources, Father Allen examines ministry in and to the community, the ministry to persons, and the ministry of the Word. Throughout the text, the pastoral dimension of the Christian life is examined in the light of what God, as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, has done and continues to do in the life and history of humankind. The ministry of the priesthood is then seen through the ministry of Christ, the on high priest, and through the image of the priesthood conveyed by His disciples, apostles, bishops, and priests since the days of the foundation of the Church. (Pages: 232; 21.5 x 13.7 cm)