A Center in the Cyclone: Twenty-first Century Clergy Self-Care [Paperback]

Pastors today are overwhelmed by the perfect storm of too many responsibilities, too few resources, and too rapid congregational, cultural, and technological changes. Many of them confess that the cares of modern ministry have nearly choked the life out of their holy service. Here is a resource for integrated personal and professional transformation and healing for pastors, better equipping them to be effective spiritual leaders for the long haul of professional ministry.

We are in a time of great spiritual awakening among Christians, people of other faiths, and self-described spiritual but not religious seekers. Insightful spiritual leadership is needed now more than ever to navigate the waves of pluralism, postmodernism, and globalism. Spiritual leaders need to sharpen their mission, administration, outreach, and preaching skills, but they also need to deepen their commitments to spiritual growth and self-care practices to insure healthy and effective ministry over the long haul.

Bruce Epperly is a practical theologian, pastor, spiritual guide, and author. He served as Director of Continuing Education and Professor of Practical Theology at Lancaster Theological Seminary. An ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) with standing in the United Church of Christ, hes written over thirty books, including Starting with Spirit: Nurturing Your Call to Pastoral Ministry and Healing Worship: Purpose and Practice. He and his wife Kate live on Cape Cod, where he is Pastor of South Congregational Church in Centerville, Massachusetts.

Bruce Epperly has written a simple, useful, practical guide to self-care, designed primarily for parish clergy (including bi-vocational clergy), but valuable reading for any ministry professional. Those training for professional ministry would also be well-advised to consult the book, as it is written from a deep, intimate grasp of the unique demands and blessings of life in the service of the people of God,lƒ-