Zur „Sache“ bitte! Fug und Unfug der „seelsorglichen“ Predigt
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Dietrich Stollberg
Abstract
Due to the tendency to generalize preaching as the center of pastoral activities and due to the tendency to reduce ministry to pastoral care, the necessity of caring and counseling sermons seems to be accepted by almost everyone without any doubts. This approach is asking too much of preachers, however, as well as congregations. It produces a homiletical “helpers syndrome” and supports certain defense mechanisms, encouraging people not to be fully aware of reality. Faith implies mourning and grief work, which is not to be avoided by too early comfort or consolation. The so called “Trostpredigt” (comforting sermon) is even dangerous because it works with insinuations and assumptions (such as the assumption that everyone who is mourning, or not mourning, needs public comfort). On the other hand, pastoral care works more privately and within a unique setting – theologically implicating the theologia crucis . Pastoral care is not to be preached, but to be practiced in ways that are more appropriate to the people involved. Public preaching is not to be confused with pastoral care and counseling. Rather, it is part of liturgy, and is closer to doxology and prayer than to counseling.
Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Editorial
- Practical Theology as Theology of Religion. Schleiermacher’s Understanding of Practical Theology as a Discipline
- Schleiermacher’s Affekt Theology
- Die gesellschaftliche und religiöse Entwicklung in Ungarn seit 1945 im Spiegel der seelischen Gesundheit der Bevölkerung
- Zur „Sache“ bitte! Fug und Unfug der „seelsorglichen“ Predigt
- „Kommunikation des Evangeliums“. Die verantwortliche Gestaltung des Gottesdienstes nach Ernst Lange
- From Data to Theory: Elements of Methodology in Empirical Phenomenological Research in Practical Theology
- The Impact of an African Spirituality and Cosmology on God-Images in Africa: A Challenge to Practical Theology and Pastoral Ministry
- Reviews
- Contributors to this Issue
- Contents of Volume 9
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Editorial
- Practical Theology as Theology of Religion. Schleiermacher’s Understanding of Practical Theology as a Discipline
- Schleiermacher’s Affekt Theology
- Die gesellschaftliche und religiöse Entwicklung in Ungarn seit 1945 im Spiegel der seelischen Gesundheit der Bevölkerung
- Zur „Sache“ bitte! Fug und Unfug der „seelsorglichen“ Predigt
- „Kommunikation des Evangeliums“. Die verantwortliche Gestaltung des Gottesdienstes nach Ernst Lange
- From Data to Theory: Elements of Methodology in Empirical Phenomenological Research in Practical Theology
- The Impact of an African Spirituality and Cosmology on God-Images in Africa: A Challenge to Practical Theology and Pastoral Ministry
- Reviews
- Contributors to this Issue
- Contents of Volume 9
