Shame-Less Lives, Grace-Full Congregations
Karen A. McClintock
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In Shame-Less Lives, Grace-Full Congregations, author Karen McClintock invites readers to become shame-less, so they can assist others in a congregational system to find a life of joy and grace.
McClintock explores shame as a theological and psychological emotion, defining it as “a feeling of unworthiness in the sight of God or significant others.” While guilt says, “I made a mistake,” shame says,“I am a mistake,” she explains.
With skilled storytelling and gentle humor, McClintock takes readers on a journey in which we learn to recognize the many forms shame takes and explore and heal the shame of our own upbringing, particularly the shame-laden messages within our own religious teachings and practices. She illustrates the ways shame-laden leaders interact with congregations and ways congregational shame influences clergy and laity within the system. She shows us how to recognize shame in the behavior of other leaders and clergy around us, to reduceshame-reinforcing theology, and to provide alternative messages of hope and healing. She also guides us in liberating others from their shame, be they friends, colleagues, or people in a congregation where we worship and serve.
McClintock advises readers that eradicating shame may take a few weeks, months, years, or a lifetime. This book is not written so that we can be free of all shame. It is written so we can become shame-less by acknowledging old patterns and consciously changing them, because shame-less leaders create shame-less congregations.
Praise for the book
“Karen McClintock invites you to be liberated from the destructive impact of shame on our lives and congregations. She encourages us to avoid the pitfalls of perfectionism, blaming, and toxic comparisons. She points to the damage caused by personal and sexual shame and inspires clergy and congregations alike to seek deep healing through the balm of God’s grace.”—Doug Bixby, author of The Honest to God Church: A Pathway to God’s Grace
“McClintock provides us with an accessible corrective to the shame-filled lives our churches have taught us to live. Moving beyond shame liberates us from paralyzing self-loathing toward a healthier and more fulfilling faith. A must-read for churches wishing to move their congregants toward healing from destructive shame-induce feelings.”—Miguel A. De La Torre, professor of social ethics and Latino/a Studies, Iliff School of Theology
About the Author
Karen A. McClintock is a clergy consultant and psychologist specializing in shame recovery. She is a national lecturer and workshop leader on sexuality issues in the church and teaches in the psychology department at Southern Oregon University. Her previous books include Preventing Sexual Abuse in Congregations, and Sexual Shame: An Urgent Call to Healing. She co-authored Healthy Disclosure along with Dr. Kibbie Ruth. More information is available at: www.healthycongregation.com
ISBN# 978-1-56699-424-8
Alban No. 424
paper
2011
In stock
$18.00
($14.40 for members)
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