Ministerial Burnout in the Perspective of Applied Theology: Definition, Causes, and Prevention.

Authors

  • Jetro Ferreira da Silva

Keywords:

Applied Theology, Pastoral Ministry, Stress, Burnout, Well-Being, Effectiveness.

Abstract

Burnout is an English term that translates the idea of “being burned”, wearied out, exhausted, without motivation for work. The literature on the topic suggests that it occurs when a person is confronted with a situation that wears him out, or that supersedes his own internal resources. Religious ministers and other professionals in the area of personal help are subject to a higher risk of enduring that syndrome due to the nature of their work. The present study was undertaken with the objective of developing pastors’ and clergy authorities’ awareness about the individual and organizational consequences of such phenomenon. It also intends to encourage them to establish strategies and to develop instruction that may lead to preventive and repairing measures. With such goals, this research attempted to answer the following questions: What is burnout? How does it occur? What is a pastoral burnout? Is the pastoral burnout a reality in Brazil? And, finally, how a burnout in the ministry can be prevented or can be cared of? The findings result from a broad bibliographical research concerning, at least, two major fields of knowledge: Psychology and Theology. It was complemented by a field research with 63 evangelical pastors from five different religious denominations in the city of São Paulo. The data collected in the research confirmed, in general, the theoretical conceptions described in the bibliography of this investigation.

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Published

2009-03-16

How to Cite

SILVA, J. F. da. Ministerial Burnout in the Perspective of Applied Theology: Definition, Causes, and Prevention. Kerygma, Engenheiro Coelho, SP, v. 5, n. 1, p. 105–106, 2009. Disponível em: https://revistas.unasp.edu.br/kerygma/article/view/209. Acesso em: 27 jan. 2026.

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 1 (2009)

Section

Resumos de Teses e Dissertações

License

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