Soft Shepherd or Almighty Pastor?

"In "Soft Shepherd or Almighty Pastor?" the contributors go beyond the taboo on "power" within pastoral contexts. They not only discuss fundamental theological and philosophical questions about power but also develop ways to prevent power abuse in pastoral context. Power is considered as omnipresent and is analysed in its positive and negative aspects. Not only the classical associations of "power over" or "domination" are discussed in relation to ecclesial and pastoral situations, but also forms of power linked to "service" and "care". A sacrificial spirituality might also be dangerous. "Soft Shepherd or Almighty Pastor?" gathers ten contributions, all of which reflect on the complexity of power issues, also in relation to sexual abuse. The authors argue that dealing adequately with power requires renewed forms of theological thinking, especially about ministry. Annemie Dillen is Associate Professor of Pastoral and Empirical Theology at the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, KU Leuven, Belgium. She is the co-editor of "Prophetic Witness in World Christianities" 2011 and "Children's Voices: Children's Perspectives in Ethics, Theology and Religious Education" 2010. "This excellent book provides rich and nuanced discussions of the negative and positive role of power in pastoral and religious contexts. The often disguised and strategic use of power in pastoral situations is perfectly exposed without neglecting its receptive and agentic aspects. The book provides readers with a good introduction to an often neglected and much discredited topic. It will be particularly valuable for the education and training of pastors and religious leaders, but practical theologians and those with a more general interest in the use and abuse of power in communal and cultural settings will also benefit from this stimulating book." Jaco Dreyer, President of the International Academy for Practical Theology, University of South Africa."

Publisher -

Language - English

Paperback

Contributors

Author

Annemie Dillen

Edited by

Annemie Dillen

Published Date -

ISBN - 9780227175224

Dimensions - 22.9 x 15.2 x 1.2 cm

Page Count - 220