die predikant wat houe uitdeel – die gemeente as teiken

A minister inflicting wounds – a congregation as target In subject-related literature in the field of Practical Theology a certain emphasis is placed on studying the actions, spirituality and conduct of a minister. This article links up with this trend and attempts a closer investigation of the attitude and actions of a minister who unintentionally or intentionally wounds members of a congregation. In the article basis-theoretical perspectives from the Pastoral Epistles on the calling, requirements and spirituality of a minister are indicated. The metatheoretical research in this article is directed at investigating possible trends in contemporary society, the way in which a minister reacts to and copes with these trends and how his reaction may contribute to a situation where he hurts members of the congregation. This part of the investigation is followed by findings of established research on certain possible personality disorders that may contribute to a minister’s acts and attitudes of wounding a congregation. Special focus is placed on narcissistic, histrionic and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders. Finally, practice-theoretical perspectives on guiding future pastors are provided – especially as a means of sensitising them to the possibility of their own approach and behaviour being experienced as negative and that of someone inflicting wounds. In the final instance, the congregant experiencing the wounds as well as the minister inflicting the wounds should still be regarded as objects of God’s saving grace and the pastoral care of the community of faith.