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In the relentless pursuit of serving their congregations, pastors and clergy often find themselves teetering on the brink of burnout-a perilous state marked by exhaustion, disillusionment, and mental fatigue. With the weight of pastoral duties, from counseling to officiating ceremonies, bearing down upon them, it's no wonder that many ministers succumb to the insidious grip of burnout.
"Pastoring on Empty: Helping Pastors & Clergy Prevent & Recover from Burnout" dives into the harrowing experiences of pastors and clergy members navigating the treacherous terrain of burnout. Dr. Thomas A. Webb sheds light on the emotional turmoil faced by these dedicated individuals, exploring the relentless pressures and self-sacrifice that often lead to their unraveling.
Through compelling narratives and poignant insights, this book exposes the stark realities of burnout within the clergy community. From the crushing weight of emotional exhaustion to the crippling burden of self-blame and criticism, Dr. Thomas Webb offers a candid examination of the myriad factors contributing to pastoral burnout.
But amidst the darkness, there is hope. "Pastoring on Empty" equips pastors and clergy members with practical strategies and invaluable resources to prevent burnout and foster resilience. Dr. Webb guides readers through the crucial steps of self-care and boundary-setting, empowering them to reclaim their mental and emotional well-being.
A beacon of support in a time of despair, "Pastoring on Empty" is not just a book-it's a lifeline for pastors and clergy members grappling with burnout. With compassion and wisdom, Dr. Webb offers a roadmap to recovery, guiding readers toward a brighter, more sustainable future in ministry.
About the author
Dr. Thomas Webb currently serves as a field grade officer and chaplain in the United States Air Force. He has spent most of his adult life in Christian ministry, in the classroom as a student learning, and, later in graduate studies, performing hundreds of hours of research in grief care and pastoral burnout. Some excerpts from his two-university post-graduate doctoral dissertations appear in this book. They were published in ProQuest Dissertations Publishing in 2015 and in 2021. The most recent one is titled "An Investigation of Pastors' Experiences During Burnout: A Case Study," published in 2021. His earlier dissertation is entitled "The Effect Grief Care to Families Has on Christian Military Chaplains," published in 2015.He is a strong proponent of education, earning regionally accredited Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Amridge University in Montgomery, Alabama. He holds a Master of Divinity Degree from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Earlier in his pastorate he was blessed to attain a Master of Science degree from Amridge University in Montgomery, Alabama. During his enlisted years in the military, Dr. Webb earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Faulkner University in Management of Human Resources in Montgomery, Alabama.
