Pastors, including clergy, need to be able to provide the right kind of circumstances, teaching and care to enable people to face crisis and come through difficulties stronger as human beings and as Christians. They also need the quality of resilience to be involved in Christian ministry. This book draws on the experience and literature of the desert as well as on resilience studies and on contemporary theology, particularly that of Rowan Williams, and applies theological understanding to the pastoral task.
Highly recommend to pastors and those who love them! Would love to see it integrated into MDiv curriculum; barring that, a fantastic seminary graduation gift. It gives a framework for resilience in pastoring, some practical application, and a historically-grounded theology of pastoral wellbeing. The theology is most essential and helpful, as I believe theology will often persuade pastors to care for themselves better than intrinsic or leadership arguments.