Richard M. Gula, Just Ministry: Professional Ethics for Pastoral Ministers. Paulist Press, 2010. Companion volume: Gula, The Way of Goodness and Holiness: A Spirituality for Pastoral Ministers Referenced in: Ministry Ethics LifeandLeadership.com Summary Gula writes from a Catholic background, addressing ethical issues for the priesthood, especially in light of recent sex scandals that have hurt
Barbara J. Blodgett, Lives Entrusted: An Ethic of Trust for Ministry. Fortress Press, 2008. Referenced in: Ministry Ethics LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is a hard-hitting but refreshing look at ministry ethics, with emphasis on one major area: trust. Blodgett discusses how trust is built and broken. Most ministry ethics books focus on the behavior and quality
Andrea Celenza, Sexual Boundary Violations: Therapeutic, Supervisory, and Academic Contexts. Jason Aronson, 2011. Referenced in: Conflict, Congregational Trauma, Minister Misconduct LifeandLeadership.com Summary While addressed to contexts other than ministry, this is a good description of the dynamics of sexual boundary violations among helping professionals. From the Publisher Sexual boundary violations are considered the most serious
Kibbie Simmons Ruth and Karen A. McClintock, Healthy Disclosure: Solving Communication Quandaries in Congregations. Alban Institute, 2007. Referenced in: Church Conflict – Congregational Trauma, Ministerial Misconduct LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is an expanded treatment of one aspect of the response congregations must make to crises such as misconduct by a minister or prominent congregational leader —
Joy Thornburg Melton, Safe Sanctuaries for Ministers: Reducing the Risk of Abuse in the Church. Discipleship Resources, 2009. Referenced in: Church Conflict – Congregational Trauma, Ministerial Misconduct LifeandLeadership.com Summary Melton is the author, Safe Sanctuaries: Reducing the Risk of Abuse in the Church for Children and Youth, which has become one of the most widely
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
Scott Edelstein, Sex and the Spiritual Teacher: Why It Happens, When It’s a Problem, and What We All Can Do. Wisdom Publications, 2011. Referenced in: Church Conflict – Congregational Trauma, Ministerial Misconduct LifeandLeadership.com Summary This book is not limited to Christian congregations and includes Buddhist, Jewish and other faith groups, but the sexual dynamics it
Karen A. McClintock, Preventing Sexual Abuse in Congregations: A Resource for Leaders. Alban Institute, 2004. Referenced in: Chuch Conflict – Congregational Trauma, Ministerial Misconduct LifeandLeadership.com Summary This volume is not focused on clergy misconduct, but deals more generally with the issue of sexual impropriety in its various forms within congregations, including both children and adults
Stanley J. Grenz and Roy D. Bell, Betrayal of Trust: Confronting and Preventing Sexual Misconduct. Second Edition. Baker Books, 2001. Reference in: Church Conflict – Congregational Trauma, Ministerial Misconduct LifeandLeadership.com Summary This book is now in its second edition, and is one of most thorough and widely used on the subject, especially among evangelicals. While
Candace R. Benyei, Understanding Clergy Misconduct in Religious Systems: Scapegoating, Family Secrets, and the Abuse of Power. Routledge Press, 1998. Referenced in: Church Conflict – Congregational Trauma, Ministerial Misconduct LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is my first recommendation for congregational trauma. It also functions as one of the most lucid explanations of family systems for churches. Benyei’s
