This is a book about stress in ministry. People not in pastoral ministry wonder why clergy are stressed. They preach one or two homilies a week whereas teachers give up to 30 lessons; they have more 'discretionary time' than other professionals; and - so they preach - Christians have access to peace and power that are out of this world.

But stressed they are. There must be reasons for the exodus of gifted pastors from parish ministry. In the U.S. (and probably in other western countries) the divorce rate among clergy is climbing faster than the national average. Pastors know they are the most significant human factor in the church's health: church growth studies have 'proved' that. So when attendances and offerings (the two most tangible indicators of growth) are down, the pastor 'cops the flak' from all directions. They are caught in the cross-fire of many incompatible expectations, and they feel it. After all, they wouldn't be in pastoral ministry without some sensitivity.

Ross Kingham and Robin Pryor are two of Australia's most gifted 'pastors to pastors'. Their book is excellent. It is easy to read, with a lot of white space to write notes and reactions. It is practical: both of them have 'been there'. It is balanced: they have a warm, evangelical (in the best sense of that misused word) spirituality, which is not so mystical that it is unrelated to rubber hitting the road.

Out of Darkness - Out of Fire begins with some true-to-reality stories of parish conflict. We are invited to identify sources of institutional and personal stress and anxiety, and then engage in personal reflection.

Then we are led through the general and specific causes and symptoms of 'distress' in ministry. We meet the notion of 'promiscuous ministry' - the drivenness to meet every need that arises instead of concentrating in that specific ministry to which we are called. In the chapter 'Broken But Loved' we share the experiences of some biblical 'ministers' like Jeremiah and David.

But there are also paths out of darkness: reviewing the spiritual journey and the journey of one's own life, devising a personal growth manifesto, the use of a prayer diary or spiritual journal. Finally we look at outside sources of sustenance - peer support groups, spiritual direction etc. The footnotes/bibliography will take you further.

Suggestion: set aside three to eight days and go away to a retreat centre armed with it. If you follow the suggestions faithfully you won't be the same again!

Rowland Croucher