Theorizing Identity Harm as a Barrier to Clergy Well-being

Abstract

Clergy experience poor well-being. In addition to difficult job conditions and inadequate training, the work itself causes harm to the Self. This project theorizes how this harm occurs. This project also proposes a prescription for each minister: Find, or create, a place in your life where you are safe enough that you are compelled to be open, with others, about who you really are." Joining a Clergy Peer Group is a systemic way of creating the needed space for restoring from Identity Harm. The project includes selected resources for creating a Clergy Peer Group.