Description
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.
About the Author
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).
Contents
Preface
Introduction: Power, Church, and Pastoral Care: Beyond the Taboo
Annemie Dillen
Part 1: Fundamental Philosophical and Theological Reflections on Power and Pastoral Care
1. A Web of Power: Toward a Greater Awareness of the Complexity of Power
Machteld Reynaert
2. Power and Compassion in Pastoral Work: From the Perspective of Michel Foucault
Roger Burggraeve and Anne Vandenhoeck
3. Beyond the Almighty Pastor: On Three Forms of Power in Pastoral Care
Stefan Gärtner
Part 2: Power and Interculturality
4. Self-Affirming Prejudice and the Abuse of Pastoral Power
Carrie Doehring
5. “When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong”: An African Christian Reflection
on the Ambiguities, Paradoxes, and Challenges of Pastoral Power
Emmanuel Lartey
Part 3: Power and Sexual Abuse
6. Intimacy in Pastoral Care: Ethical Notes on the Use of Power in Pastoral Guiding
Didier Pollefeyt
7. A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing: Dealing Honestly with Pastoral Power
Cristina Traina
Part 4: Challenges for Theology and Pastoral Praxis
8. Empowerment in Pastoral Care for Persons with a Psychiatric Disorder: Towards Human Flourishing
Jana Binon
9. The Meaning of Informed Consent in Pastoral Counseling
Axel Liégeois
Contributors
Index
Endorsements and Reviews
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
