Cracks in the Pillar: A Pastoral Theological Response to Depression in African American Clergy Open Access
Wimberley, Wynnetta (2014)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF CRACKS IN THE PILLAR: A PASTORAL THEOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO DEPRESSION IN AFRICAN AMERICAN CLERGY This study utilized the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-IITR) to establish the existence of depression among African American pastors. The work argues that due to the monumental significance of the black preacher in the African American religious tradition, there exists a type of ‘cultural sacramentalization' of the black preacher which sets clergy up for failure through isolation, internalized or external expectations and a loss of self-awareness. It shows how the preacher-pew dyad in the black church evolves from the long-standing influence black pastors have held within their churches and communities. Since African American pastors are frequently viewed as a welcomed part of the family (in an ‘extended' family system), this kind of familial relationality, often becomes problematic in the context of the black church where themes of dependency loom large among a population that, in large measure, tends to grapple with paternal abandonment issues. As a result, pastors experiencing depression are more prone to encountering relational conflicts within their congregations. This dissertation draws from a communal-contextual model of pastoral theology, utilizing Donald Winnicott's theory of the ‘True' and ‘False' self to examine how depression emerges from the aforementioned psycho-socio-theological conflict. The dissertation concludes by proposing a method based on the Biblical prophetess HULDAH as a therapeutically sensitive pastoral theological response to depression in African American clergy.
Table of Contents
ABSTRACT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section I:
CHAPTER 1: Introduction
The Problem
Clergy and Depression
The Methodology
The Limitations/De-limitations
Literature Review
Chapter Outline
Chapter 2: We've Come This Far by Faith: The Socio-historical Groundwork for Depression in African American Clergy
Survivable African Origins
The Preacher As Pillar: Clarifying the Role of the Black Preacher During Slavery
Socioeconomic Implications of Race-Class Oppression
Section II:
Chapter 3: Sifting Through the Research Findings: Employing the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-IITR)
Analyzing the Data
Chapter 4: Breaking Up the Fallow Ground: Digging Deep to Make the Shift Towards Psychological Clearing
How Did We Get Here? - Depression As (Indelible?) Cultural Stigma
Cracks in the Pillar: Airing the Dirty Laundry of Depression in African American Clergy
We Wear the Mask: Winnicottian Notions of the 'True' and the False' Self
Views from A Womanist Lens: De-constructing the ˜Strong Black Woman' (SBW) as a Dangerous Motif for African American Female Clergy
SECTION III:
Chapter 5: No Other Gods Before Me': The Task of Dismantling Culturally-Embedded Altars
"You Betta' Talk Preacha!": Understanding the Black Church As A Cultural Hermeneutic
Re-Calling Tillich: Paul Tillich's Notions of Spiritual Presence
Embodiment in the Preaching Moment: The Cultural Sacramentalization of the Black Preacher
The Black Church as Wandering in the Wilderness, But Who Sinned?: A Big Setup for Pedestallization from the Pews
From Where We Stand: Power and Phallic Imagery in the Black Pulpit
CHAPTER 6: 'Am I My Brothers' Keeper?': Merging the Intersections of Religion, Psychology and Culture to Proffer An Appropriate Pastoral Theological Response to Depression in African American Clergy
Do You Want to Be Made Whole?: Utilizing HULDAH As A Metaphor For Liberative Pastoral Praxis
Fortifying the Pillars: Building Good Enough Holding Spaces' in Psychotherapy with African American Clergy
Implications Moving Forward
Section IV: Appendices
Section V: Bibliography
About this Dissertation
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