Original Research
The pastor as model for peaceful existence
Submitted: 25 January 2011 | Published: 21 November 2011
About the author(s)
Terence Cooke, University of Pretoria, South AfricaAbstract
In South Africa we have a negotiated agreement to peaceful coexistence, and sometimes, for example, after the miracle of the 1994 election and the euphoria of the World Cups of 1995, 2007 and 2010, we may even think we have achieved real peace. It is indeed in these times of euphoria that the people of South Africa may be tempted to lower our aim and settle for second best thinking that we have arrived.
Model is used not in the sense of the pastor being an example of a peaceful existence to be followed. It is rather used in the sense that a pastor in his or her professional capacity has the knowledge of the meaning of the term ‘peaceful existence’ and also the hermeneutic competency to apply that knowledge in concrete situations. This opens the exiting possibility that pastors can become travel companions on the road to real peace.
The different aspects of being a pastor, office bearer, professional and person, each contribute to the pastor being a model for peace. It must be emphasised that the different aspects always work together as a unity and the strength of the pastor as a model for a peaceful existence is in the simultaneous application of these aspects in the context in which the pastor lives.
Keywords
Metrics
Total abstract views: 3769Total article views: 11426
Crossref Citations
1. Exploring Uniting Reformed Church of South Africa African pastors’ well-being, calling and healing: An interactive qualitative analysis
Elizabeth C. Rudolph, Christina Landman
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies vol: 75 issue: 4 year: 2019
doi: 10.4102/hts.v75i4.5539