Edward D. Bratcher, The Walk-on-Water Syndrome: Dealing With Professional Hazards in Ministry. Word Books, 1984.
Referenced in: Ministry Burnout, Preventing and Overcoming
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
An older but well-written text on pastoral burnout from an experienced minister and consultant. Bratcher perhaps overemphasizes the analogy of the minister trying to be a “superhuman” who “walks on water,” but beyond this, he provides very helpful insight on the range of issues contributing to pastoral discouragement. He addresses spiritual maturity, the call to ministry, stress, types of support (peer, professional, congregational, denominational), role confusion, ministerial incompetence, conflict, and the generalist nature of the minister’s work.
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