Somewhere along the way the old theological discipline called “pastoral theology” was lost. For centuries each theological tradition had a classic pastoral theology text, and pastoral theology was a central part of the theological curriculum. Around the turn of the century, pastoral theology disappeared, and in conservative quarters it was replaced by “practical theology”—”how-to” pastoral training. In the mainline churches “pastoral care,” in which the pastor became primarily a counselor, was the new discipline. In most of American Protestantism, biblical and theological reflection on pastoral ministry ceased. The practice of ministry became the theology of ministry.