The Minister as Moral Theologian: Ethical Dimensions of Pastoral Leadership

The ordinary practice of ministry requires pastors and Christian leaders to serve as moral theologians in their communities. Ministers must preach about morally challenging texts, teach about moral issues and conflicts, offer moral counsel, and serve as an example regarding the shape of faithful Christian life.

Respected scholar and veteran teacher Sondra Wheeler offers Christian leaders tools for facing the demands and seizing the opportunities of being a moral teacher. Grounding pastoral ethics in spiritual formation and spiritual disciplines, she invites leaders to reconnect the demands of their office with their aspirations as a disciple. The book integrates ethical preaching, teaching, and counsel with the pastor's own moral and spiritual life and is focused on the day-to-day challenges and possibilities of ministry in churches and other institutional settings. Offering guidance many practicing pastors wish they had received in seminary, this is an essential text for courses in the practice of ministry.

• Contents
• Introduction: Why This Book?
• 1. The Minister as Ethicist
• 2. Preaching on Morally Difficult Texts and Occasions
• 3. Teaching about Moral Issues
• 4. Giving Moral Counsel
• 5. Serving as a Moral Example
• Further Reading
• Index