Paul was an apostle-pastor, and we can learn plenty about pastoring from his letters and his life. Among other things, Paul built a flourishing network of friends and co-workers, employed gentle persuasion, demonstrated vulnerability and concern, reconciled the unreconciled, and developed a theology that grew organically from a missional life. Join us as we explore these key pastoral practices and consider their implications for our own work and teaching.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to: 1. Comprehend major understandings of what a pastor is today and how Paul’s own pastoral theology has been understood in Christian thinking. 2. Expound major themes in Paul as pastor, especially as found in his correspondence with the church at Corinth and his letters to Timothy and Titus. 3. Explain how comprehending Paul’s pastoral theology can support, expand, and renew pastoral theology today.

Day 1 Theories of Pastor Today; Pastor’s pastor; Paul as Convert and Called; Paul as Spirit-prompted Leader Day 2 Paul and His Network of Friends Day 3 Paul as Reconciler; Paul as Persuader (Philemon) Day 4 Paul as Parent; Paul as Pray-er; Paul as Bible Reader Day 5 Paul as Preacher; Paul as Theologian

Ernest Best, Paul and His Converts (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1988). Victor A. Copan, Saint Paul as Spiritual Director (Paternoster Biblical Monographs; Colorado Springs, CO: Paternoster, 2007). P.L. Culbertson, A.B. Shippee, eds., The Pastor: Readings from the Patristic Period (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2009). Beverly Gaventa, Our Mother Saint Paul (Louisville: WJKP, 2007). Brian Harris, The Tortoise Usually Wins (Milton Keynes, UK: Paternoster, 2013). Timothy Laniak, Shepherds After My Own Heart (Downers Grove: IVP, 2006). Eugene Peterson, The Contemplative Pastor (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1989). Eugene Peterson, Working the Angles (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987). Eugene Peterson, The Pastor: A Memoir (New York: HarperOne, 2011). James W. Thompson, Pastoral Ministry according to Paul: A Biblical Vision (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006).

All prices subject to change without notice. Please note that the Regent College Bookstore offers a 20% discount on regularly priced books (some exceptions may apply).