Eileen Schmitz, Staying in Bounds: Straight Talk on Boundaries For Effective Ministry. Chalice Press, 2010.
Referenced in: Church Conflict – Congregational Trauma, Ministerial Misconduct
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
Almost all ministerial misconduct, especially sexual impropriety, constitutes a violation of boundaries. There is a plethora of excellent resources on boundaries, but few that are focused on boundaries in ministry. This volume fills that gap quite well.
The author writes from her experience as a therapist to equip ministers and other spiritual leaders in the practice of good boundaries. Part One, Foundations, presents a series of true accounts that illustrate the importance of well-defined relationships. This is followed by chapters on the theological and psychological framework for boundaries and their importance in the body of Christ. Part Two, Boundary Building Blocks, shows how self-knowledge, pursuing truth over against self-deception, and focusing on genuine character. Part Three, Boundary Applications in Ministry, discusses the various dimensions of ministry in which boundaries are important, including times when the boundaries seem blurry.
From the Publisher
Boundaries are healthy and necessary parts of life and ministry. Staying in Bounds provides straight-talk guidance to ministers, leaders of churches and other faith-based organizations and ministries on the what, why, and how of relational boundaries. This book develops the concept of boundaries from psychological and theological perspectives, discusses the benefits of boundaries, and then explains the importance of healthy boundaries in the church. Guidance is provided on the identification, implementation, and enforcement of healthy boundaries, with a special focus on ministry settings.
About the Author
Eileen Schmitz serves as Director of PastorCareSM for Personal Assistance Services, a counseling and life management firm. She is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Missouri and provides consultation and counseling services to pastors, their families and parishioners from many denominational traditions who face challenges in life, ministry and faith. Eileen’s great passion is to help people integrate their faith into their daily lives, experience a deep and vibrant relationship with God and pursue what is good: to act justly, love kindness and walk humbly with God.
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