Cuidado e providência: a diligência de Deus manifesta através da metáfora bíblica do pastor de ovelhas

Abstract

This paper presents an approach to pastoral ministry and the challenges for contemporaneity. Based on bibliographic research it deals with the biblical metaphors about leadership and, specifically, about the shepherd/pastor. It highlights key concepts of the Bible which permit the tracing of the profile of the shepherd/pastor as a leader besides understanding the ministerial role. There is reflection about the pastoral ministry based on the biblical figures in the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament the figure of the shepherd/pastor is pointed out in each one of its sections – Historical Books, Prophetic Books and Poetic Books. The intention is to verify how the figure of the shepherd/pastor of the people of Israel permeates the Scriptures. In the New Testament special attention is given to Christ himself as shepherd/pastor par excellence, the shepherd of sheep. Caring for and about people and ethical conduct stand out among the attributes of the pastor in the pastoral ministry, where caring for the faithful and the pastor’s conduct are an example for these. Thus one can verify that pastoral care and ethical conduct end up being fundamental attributes for exercising the pastoral ministry, as well as for being the leaders of the church.