herderschap

Herderschap is a Dutch term describing the role and responsibilities of a shepherd in a spiritual sense within Christian communities, particularly the pastoral care offered by church leaders to congregations. The word combines herder (shepherd) with -schap (state or office) and corresponds to the English terms pastoral ministry or pastorship, related to the Latin pastor and the Greek poimen.

Historically, herderschap denotes the duty of church leaders to care for the flock through teaching, governance, consolation, and guidance. The shepherd metaphor appears in scriptures such as Psalm 23 and John 10 and has shaped church structures where bishops, pastors, elders, and parish priests exercise care and oversight.

Functions encompass preaching, administering sacraments, pastoral visiting, counseling, spiritual formation, safeguarding doctrine and unity, and organizing worship and charitable activity. In many denominations it implies both spiritual and administrative leadership.

Variations: Dutch usage emphasizes caregiving as a core aspect of leadership and may apply to different offices. In Catholic contexts, a parish priest or pastor fulfills herderschap in concrete terms; in Protestant contexts, a pastor or predikant carries the pastoral function.

Contemporary relevance: today, herderschap often links to ongoing pastoral care in community life, crisis support, youth and elderly programs, and broader social engagement.

See also: Pastoral care; Pastorship; Clergy.