Shame-less lives, grace-full congregations
By: Karen A. McClintock
Publisher: Alban Institute
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Herndon, VA 20171
Language: eng
Number of pages: 194
ISBN-13: 9781566994248
Subjects: Shame; Christianity
Other titles: Shameless lives, gracefull congregations
Description: 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. She explores a variety of shame, comparison shame, perfection shame, chronic illness shame and sexual shame, as well as the dynamics of shame and the shame-blame game. 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 reduce shame-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.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references.
Table of contents: title: Where shame begins; title: Yours, mine, and ours: overlapping dynamics of shame; title: We're all different: creating shameless congregational cultures; title: The shame-blame game: recognizing shame's opposite; title: Comparison shame: filling the gaps with acceptance and respect; title: Perfection shame: quieting our inner critic; title: Chronic illness shame: the community is the cure; title: Naked and ashamed: reducing individual sexual shame; title: Sexual shame in congregations: old habits and new opportunities; title: Grace yourself: practical ways to overcome shame.