A modernidade religiosa e a sua influência no ministério pastoral contemporâneo

Abstract

The current work aims to identify the phenomenon caused by the influence of the advance in modernity on the life of the evangelical individual, and on the posture taken by the contemporary pastor in the face of such change. Therefore, a bibliographic research was made meaning to obtain, based on previous research, a theoretical-analytical advance about the topic. The first chapter exposes, in a succinct way, the modification that modernity generates on the particularities of each religious individual. This reflection is made with the concepts of religious modernity developed by Danièvieu-Lêger and other authors. The second chapter addresses the phenomenon of the adaptation to the religious modernity of the modern individual (believer), the pastor and the community. This chapter centers on the reflection given by previous researches about the active pastoral ministry before pre-modern times that seeks or sought an adaptation, and on presenting a reflection about new pastoral movements (churches) that were able to reunite believers by adopting modern values, specially the prosperity theology. The third and last chapter exposes an analysis about the pastoral ministry and its relation to the religious individualism, presenting alternatives through which churches can overcome the indivudualist logic of the “faith market” and go beyond the physical temples, being involved with another's needs and seeking the common good to the society. In sight of all analysis, it is understandable that the advance of modernity has been causing a new posture in each individual; the pastor has been influenced by religious modernity as well, and has been exercising this influence on the life of the religious individual, that may adapt, through that influence, a more individualistic posture or a more cooperative role in their community of faith and in the society.