Souvlakis, N. 2025. Critical Review of Caring for Our Shepherds: Understanding and Coping with Burnout as a Pastor by Thomas V. Frederick, Yvonne Thai, and Scott E. Dunbar. Pastoral Psychology. 74, pp. 843-845. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-025-01240-4
| Title | Critical Review of Caring for Our Shepherds: Understanding and Coping with Burnout as a Pastor by Thomas V. Frederick, Yvonne Thai, and Scott E. Dunbar |
|---|---|
| Type | Book review |
| Authors | Souvlakis, N. |
| Abstract | Pastoral burnout is an increasingly critical concern within Christian ministry, with pro-found implications for pastors, their families, and their congregations. In Caring for Our Shepherds: Understanding and Coping with Burnout as a Pastor, authors Thomas V. Frederick, Yvonne Thai, and Scott E. Dunbar present an in-depth exploration of the unique stressors contributing to pastoral burnout while offering faith-based strategies for managing its impact. Drawing on theological principles and psychological research, the authors introduce the concept of Differentiation in Christ (DifC) as a central framework for understanding pastoral identity and managing the pressures of ministry. This review critically evaluates the book’s contributions, methodological strengths, conceptual foundations, and integration of Christian spiritual practices while reflecting on its academic and practical relevance |
| Journal | Pastoral Psychology |
| Journal citation | 74, pp. 843-845 |
| ISSN | 1573-6679 |
| 0031-2789 | |
| Year | 2025 |
| Publisher | Springer Nature |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-025-01240-4 |
| Web address (URL) | https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11089-025-01240-4 |
| Publication dates | |
| Published online | 17 Jul 2025 |