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

About the Book

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.

Table of Contents:

Words of Thanks
Chapter 1Ministry in the Twenty-First Century
Chapter 2Do You Want to Be Made Well?
Chapter 3Living by Abundance in a Time of Scarcity
Chapter 4Transforming Technology
Chapter 5Glorifying God in Your Body
Chapter 6Loving God with Your Whole Mind
Chapter 7Having the Time of Your Life: Making Friends with Time in Ministry
Chapter 8Igniting Your Spirit
Chapter 9Setting Your Spiritual GPS
Chapter 10Embracing Grief
Chapter 11Healthy Relationships
Chapter 12Letting Your Light Shine
Notes

About the Author :
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, he’s 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.

Review :
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, which can come as surprises to those new in ministry. Clearly written and full of pastoral care for its anticipated audience, Epperly's book is an engaging and pleasurable read, and contains much that can be readily applied in practice.... [T]here is much of value here, not only for the book's intended audience, but also for readers of other faiths and subcultures who are willing to relate to the material in a creative way. In this important book on clergy self-care that sparkles with insight, Bruce Epperly addresses the interrelated tasks of caring for body, mind, relationships, and spirit in the course of the fast-paced and demanding work of ministry. He relays the patterns and practices of self-care that he has developed to keep his own spirit strong, while encouraging readers to establish healthy habits that suit their personalities and circumstances. Here Bruce Epperly shows rather than tells pastors how to reclaim a center in the cyclone of pastoral ministry. A Center in a Cyclone is a needed and timely work impressive in its breadth and readability. Epperly engages the Bible and provides an encouraging, energizing, and holistic vision for hopeful and productive ministry. Through his analysis of and engagement with real issues Epperly provides keen insight on challenges faced by those in pastoral ministry in this turbulent digital age, as well as realistic and practical pathways to healthy ministry and pastoral self-care. Clergy, laity, denominational officials, and theological educators will benefit from reading this provocative book.