Homiletics and pastoral theology by William G T Shedd (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 4 (Social and professional character of the clergyman).
Today Shedd discusses the social and professional character of the clergyman.
Firstly Shedd suggests that the personal/social conduct of the clergyman should be one of:
(i) grave manners;
(ii) affable manners.
Secondly Shedd advises that the professional bearing of the clergyman should be:
(i) decisive in administering the affairs of his parish;
(ii) judicious.
I appreciated Shedd's clarity on certain aspects of church polity: 'The genius of a truly Scriptural ecclesiastical polity is undoubtedly republican. Whenever the monarchical spirit has shaped ecclesiastical government, the Church has speedily declined in spirituality and power, as the history of the Papacy, not to speak of other church organizations, plainly evinces. But, republicanism is not a wild and ungoverned democracy. It supposes, indeed, like democracy, that all power is ultimately lodged in the people, but, unlike democracy, it supposes that some of this power has been freely delegated to an individual, or individuals, who, by virtue of this endowment, possess an authority, which, as ordinary members of the community, they would not have. The people of a republic are not compelled to delegate their sovereignty, — it is a voluntary procedure on their part ; and neither are they compelled to bestow power upon any particular man, or class of men. But, when they have once freely made their choice of officers, and have solemnly invested them with authority, and a delegated sovereignty, then they have no option in regard to obeying their rulers. They are bound to respect their own work.'
If everyone was required to make every decision in the church, nothing would ever get done.
Read Chapter 5 (Pastoral visiting).
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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