St. Gregory the Great’s Pastoral Rule for Today’s Educational Leaders ..

Abstract

St. Gregory the Great is widely recognized as one of the most significant popes in history. Even before becoming pope, Gregory had extensive experience as a high-level administrator in both civil and ecclesial positions. Drawing upon his vast experience, Gregory wrote his Pastoral Rule to guide Church leaders in serving persons entrusted to their care. While the Pastoral Rule was intended
for bishops and other ecclesial leaders, Gregory’s advice can be extended beyond his original audience to anyone in administrative leadership. This article discusses seven lessons on leadership selected from the Pastoral Rule that are especially relevant for educational leaders in higher education today.