Wounded Pastors, Carol Howard
Wounded Pastors, Carol Howard
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Wounded Pastors
Navigating Burnout, Finding Healing, and Discerning the Future of Your Ministry

Author: Carol Howard, James Fenimore

Narrator: Nan McNamara

Unabridged: 6 hr

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/23/2024

Synopsis

You're not alone in your ministry. And you don't have to suffer in silence. Ministry is a stressful vocation, with unspoken expectations, projected anxieties, and conflicting demands. After the pandemic caused a sudden shift to online worship and factions fighting over when and how to return to in-person worship, pastors have been leaving congregational ministry at even higher rates than usual. The emotional fallout of burnout and abuse at the hands of parishioners is something pastors carry for years, whether they stay or leave the congregation.

Seasoned pastor Carol Howard Merritt and psychotherapist and former pastor James Fenimore join their expertise to offer validation, support, and guidance for pastors who have been hurt by the church. With wisdom that can come only from experience, they describe and define aspects of struggle and pain listeners may have difficulty articulating or claiming for themselves, and they offer compassionate, informed guidance on how to find healing. A systems approach to conflict sheds light on the dynamics of church conflict and how clergy can tend their own well-being amid leadership challenges. The final chapter helps listeners consider their overall vocational path based on what they've experienced and decide whether they can remain in congregational ministry or need to pursue a different line of work.

About Carol Howard

Carol Howard is an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA). She is the author of Healing Spiritual Wounds: Reconnecting with a Loving God after Experiencing a Hurtful Church and Reframing Hope: Vital Ministry in a New Generation. She has also written two devotionals and is a popular speaker for preachers and church groups.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Robert on February 04, 2024

I'm a survivor. That is, I stayed in pastoral ministry until retiring at age 63. There was a moment when I wasn't sure about ministry. There were several such moments, but my truly wonder moment came at the end of my first full-time pastoral role. I was asked to resign because I failed to grow the c......more

Goodreads review by Melinda on February 04, 2024

An excellent book for all pastors. I found the questions at the end of each chapter helpful along with the scenarios. There is good, solid advice in every chapter and also an invitation to dig deeper into therapy or with trusted colleagues in a clergy group, or spiritual practices. I will be recomme......more

Goodreads review by Warren on December 09, 2023

Wounded Pastors By Carol Howard Merritt; James Fenimore Westminster John Knox Press Pastors have to endure a lot, not only from congregants but also from family, other pastors and the world in general. This book addresses a number of the issues that pastors face from burnout to personal attacks, stres......more

Goodreads review by Rainer on June 23, 2024

Okay, this could’ve been a higher rating, but just barely. I think the authors have good intentions and even have really good suggestions for moving toward health and healing. It’s also well researched, includes helpful tools, and has great questions for reflection. BUT, (and it’s a big but) it’s in......more

Goodreads review by Becky on February 18, 2024

This book is wonderful, with lots of insight and opportunities for reflection. I’m not a wounded pastor, but I found the topics covered very helpful as I seek to be a healthy pastor with healthy boundaries. The chapter on “Recognizing Our Reactions” (to anxiety) was particularly helpful. Thanks for......more

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