On "The Cure of Souls"

I had a really challenging talk recently with a group of United Methodist ministers about one of the ancient pieces of job description for pastors.  The phrase that we kicked around was “the cure of souls.”  It has been a part of the pastoral task virtually from the beginning.  It really takes in just about all of the work of the pastor. 

Now, the way a lot of churches set up the work of its clergy in modern times, the pastor has responsibility for administration and public relations and a host of other areas.  But these jobs fall outside of the classic daily work of the priestly figure.

The cure of souls has under its umbrella preaching, teaching, directing worship and administering the sacraments.  A present-day addition might be counseling.  All in all, the category encompasses all that a pastor might do for the shepherding of a pastoral flock.

The conversation that fostered these thoughts began with an objection that “cure of souls” is an impossibly awesome task.  “Cure” was taken to mean “remedy” or “to make (absolutely) whole.”  The other side of the debate holds that the term means “to minister,” or “to oversee spiritually.” 

A further observation was that “cure” here, rather than being a medical term, could be an agricultural or culinary term.  When we speak of preparing something like a ham, we understand that we can sugar-cure it, or smoke-cure it, or salt-cure the ham.  “Cure” in this instance carries with it the meaning of “prepare” or “preserve.”  To prepare or preserve souls, while an awesome task in itself, may describe the work of a pastor as much as any other simple term.

The original meaning of “cure of souls” was for the shepherding of individuals or for particular congregations.  In some circles, the Roman Catholic Church among others, cure of souls reached out beyond the congregational walls and extended over a district or parish. 

Later church understanding replaced “cure” with “care.”  I don’t have any real problem with that.  But I sort of gravitate toward the old wineskins, and if that means that I have to do a little more interpretation, so be it.

Thanks to those who sparked a truly stimulating discussion.  I am still cogitating over all this a bit.