--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The pastoral task with words is not…" description: "\"“The pastoral task with words is not communication but communion - the healing and restoration and creation of love relationships between God and his f..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d8/eugene-h-peterson-1745_children_the-pastoral-task-with-words-is-not-comm_1350418.png" --- # The pastoral task with words is not communication but… ![“The pastoral task with words is not communication but communion - the healing and restoration and creation of love relationships between God and his fighting children and our fought-over creation. Poetry uses words in and for communion. This is hard work and requires alertness. The language of our…” quote by Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d8/eugene-h-peterson-1745_children_the-pastoral-task-with-words-is-not-comm_1350418.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d8/eugene-h-peterson-1745_children_the-pastoral-task-with-words-is-not-comm_1350418.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d8/eugene-h-peterson-1745_children_the-pastoral-task-with-words-is-not-comm_1350418.png) > ““The pastoral task with words is not communication but communion - the healing and restoration and creation of love relationships between God and his fighting children and our fought-over creation. Poetry uses words in and for communion. This is hard work and requires alertness. The language of our time is in terrible condition. It is used carelessly and cynically. Mostly it is a tool for propaganda, whether secular or religious. Every time badly used and abused language is carried by pastors into prayers and preaching and direction, the word of God is cheapened. We cannot use a bad means to a good end.”” [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Poetry should foster deep communion and love, not mere communication; misuse of language cheapens spiritual truth. **In simple terms:** Poetry builds love, not just talk. Key Takeaway Use words to unite, not manipulate. Themes spirituality language poetry Mood thoughtful serious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - sermons - writings - educational workshops - community dialogues Key Concepts theology communication ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can we restore reverence to everyday speech? - What practices ensure language serves love? A Different Perspective Language can be weaponized; intent alone may not redeem harmful words. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Communication Communion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication-communion-947714/) [Communion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communion/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love relationships](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-relationships/) [Pastoral Task](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pastoral-task-4591614/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Poetry Uses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry-uses-2846467/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [Used and abused](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used-and-abused/) [Words Communion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-communion-4591613/) ## Related quotes > [Just as in a physical body the operation of one member contributes to the good of the whole body, so it is in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/just-as-in-a-physical-body-the-operation-of-one-member-contributes-to/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [Many of those whose task it is to broker the truth of God to the people of God in the churches have now redefined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-f-wells/many-of-those-whose-task-it-is-to-broker-the-truth-of-god-to-the/) [David F. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-f-wells/) > [That is, sir, there can only be communication, communion, when you and I are on the same level, and with the same intensity, at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/that-is-sir-there-can-only-be-communication-communion-when-you-and-i/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [True communication is communion-the realization of oneness, which is love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/true-communication-is-communion-the-realization-of-oneness-which-is/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [The deepest of level of communication is not communication, but communion. 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Poetry is what uses us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hayden-carruth/why-speak-of-the-use-of-poetry-poetry-is-what-uses-us/) [Hayden Carruth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hayden-carruth/) > [As for the usefulness of poetry, its uses are many. It is the deification of reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-sitwell/as-for-the-usefulness-of-poetry-its-uses-are-many-it-is-the/) [Edith Sitwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-sitwell/) > [As for the usefulness of poetry, its uses are many. It is the deification of reality. 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But the essential mystery of being human is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-hirsch/poetry-never-loses-its-appeal-sometimes-its-audience-wanes-and/) [Edward Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-hirsch/) > [Unfortunately, money is more often misused and abused than used intelligently. Most people haven't figured out how to use money wisely to truly enhance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-j-zelinski/unfortunately-money-is-more-often-misused-and-abused-than-used/) [Ernie J Zelinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-j-zelinski/) > [Amongst the financial Twitterati, the term 'muppets' has come to describe any client used and abused by some financial predator. I've adopted the term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/amongst-the-financial-twitterati-the-term-muppets-has-come-to/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) ## More by Eugene H. Peterson > [“Forget about deciding what’s right for each other. 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Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) > [I think pastors are the worst listeners. We're so used to speaking, teaching, giving answers. We must learn to be quiet, quit being so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/i-think-pastors-are-the-worst-listeners-we-re-so-used-to-speaking/) [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) > [“When I look for help in developing my pastoral craft and nurturing my pastoral vocation, the one century that has the least to commend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/when-i-look-for-help-in-developing-my-pastoral-craft-and-nurturing-my/) [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) > [Religion is a very scary thing, because a pastor is in a position of power. And if you use that power badly, you ruin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/religion-is-a-very-scary-thing-because-a-pastor-is-in-a-position-of/) [Eugene H. 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