What is pastoral theology?

Answer  
  

Pastoral theology is the study of what the Bible says about the office of pastor/elder/bishop/overseer. It applies timeless biblical truth to situations faced every day in churches and is closely related to [practical theology](practical-theology.html). Pastoral theology examines the issues and challenges associated with being a pastor and informs the relationship between a pastor and the people under his spiritual care. Pastoral theology also covers the art of [homiletics](homiletics.html) (the preparation and delivery of sermons).  
  

Common questions asked and answered in pastoral theology are “What are the [qualifications for being a pastor or a deacon](qualifications-elders-deacons.html)?” “What are a pastor’s responsibilities to his congregation?” “How do I prepare a sermon?” “How can I best care for this church?” and “What is biblical leadership?”  
  

Because the church is a New Testament teaching, the study of pastoral theology focuses more on the New Testament than the Old, giving special attention to the [Pastoral Epistles](pastoral-epistles.html) of Titus and 1 and 2 Timothy. In those books we find guidance for administering a church and, just as importantly, commands that the pastor cultivate godliness in his own life and in the lives of his congregation. “An elder must be blameless” (Titus 1:6\).  
  

Pastoral theology is an important branch of biblical theology. “Whoever aspires to be an overseer” (1 Timothy 3:1\) should be a committed, continued student of pastoral theology.  
  

