Books for Clergy & Congregational Leaders

The Promise of Paradox: A Celebration of Contradictions in Christian Life by Parker J. Palmer

First published in 1980—and reissued here with a feisty new introductory essay—The Promise of Paradox launched Parker J. Palmer’s career as an author and his ongoing exploration of the contradictions that vex and enrich our lives. In this probing and heartfelt book, the distinguished writer, teacher, and activist examines some of the challenging questions at the core of Christian spirituality. How do we live with the apparent opposition between good and evil, scarcity and abundance, individuality and community, death and new life? We can hold them as paradoxes, not “either/ors,” allowing them to open our minds and hearts to new ways of seeing and being.

The Active Life: A Spirituality of Work, Creativity, and Caring by Parker J. Palmer

The Active Life is Parker J. Palmer's deep and graceful exploration of a spirituality for the busy, sometimes frenetic lives many of us lead. Telling evocative stories from a variety of religious traditions, including Taoist, Jewish, and Christian, Palmer shows that the spiritual life does not mean abandoning the world but engaging it more deeply through life-giving action. He celebrates both the problems and potentials of the active life, revealing how much they have to teach us about ourselves, the world, and God.

40-Day Journey with Parker J. Palmer by Henry F. French

Drawing from his published works, series editor Henry French here selects 40 inspiring passages from Palmer's writings that reflect Palmer's spiritual journey and invites readers to explore their own spirituality under the guidance of this noted author, educator, and activist. When the 40-day journey is over, it will no longer be the guide's description of the journey that stirs the reader's longing for God, but rather the reader's experience of the journey that grounds her or his faith and life. 40-Day Journey with Parker J. Palmer opens with a short introduction to the life of Parker Palmer and then offers forty chapters, each of which includes a reading from his writings, related Scripture passages, questions to ponder, journal-reflection exercises, and a prayer. The book also includes helps on how to use the book and hints on keeping a journal along with ideas for further reading. Each chapter in the book includes space for notes.

The Spiritual Care Giver’s Guide to Identity, Practice & Relationships: Transforming the Honeymoon in Spiritual Care and Therapy edited by Thomas St. James O’Connor, Colleen Lashmar, Elizabeth Meakes.

The Spiritual Care Giver’s Guide offers practical and academic approaches to the art of spiritual care and therapy. It investigates three essential areas of concern to the care giver: identity, practice and relationships resulting in a diversity of understandings that emphasizes resilience, flexibility and respect. Care giving is investigated through the use of music therapy and an aboriginal cultural helper. Practical chapters about providing care to those who are experiencing fetal loss and poverty are included as are chapters about supervision and essential thinkers like Anton Boisen and John and Julie Gottman. The combination of case studies, research and theory found within the covers of The Spiritual Care Giver’s Guide will make an excellent textbook for the classroom or a reference for those in pastoral education units. Clinicians and therapists will also find it to be a helpful resource. The editors hope that this guide will bring transformation and be a helpful guide on your journey in spiritual care and therapy.

To read Chapter 13: Spiritual Care in the Context of Community: Circles of Trust as a Container for Spiritual Direction by Caryl Hurtig Casbon (a Courage & Renewal Facilitator), click here.

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