The Hidden World of the Pastor: Case Studies on Personal Issues of Real Pastors

by Kenneth L. Swetland

Developed from in-depth interviews, these case studies reveal common problems. A pastor must mediate when worship styles divide a congregation. A family faces financial problems after an illness. A pastor seeks forgiveness after an affair. The author suggests that pastors need to come together for mutual support and friendship often unavailable within the congregation.

192 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1995

Reviews

[Chad Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5
I really like the idea of this book--using the provided cases (true stories!) to foster discussion & learning among pastors & seminarians. Some of the cases are really good, w/ tensions that feel irresolvable. Others, maybe even most, while well-written, feel quite simple to work through. But nearly all the cases were engaging reads, opening my eyes to the many unique personal, relational, vocational, & spiritual challenges that many pastors face. In short, most chapters are engaging as stories, but not always engaging as cases.

Also: I read most of these cases on my own, but a few of them I read & discussed w/ fellow seminarians (which is how the author primarily intended the book to be used). I thoroughly enjoyed & learned from the group experience.

[Isaiah Jesch · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was assigned as the primary text for a course on Ministerial Ethics that I took during my undergraduate work. The case studies are quite interesting and the book is a good resource. I don't think it should be considered adequate for collegiate study though.

[Stephanie Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

The frustrating thing is that each chapter ends and you want to know what happened! Great book to make you think about how you would handle each case and even to make you think through your own life and what you need to do to prevent these things.