Thesis (Ph.D.)--Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, 1990. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 52-03, Section: B, page: 1731. Chair: Sean Sammon.

Pastors whose congregations are inadequate sources of meaningful fellowship and social support often experience the negative impact of one-way relationships, role overload, pedestal positioning, ministry stress, adrenaline exhaustion, isolation, burnout, and loneliness in their context. Grounded in Gary Kinnaman and Alfred Ell’s model of Pastors in Covenant Friendship, this thesis articulates the potential for free, online clergy peer groups to serve as hospitable spaces for African American, Seventh-day Adventist pastors to experience positive emotions, positive affirmation, safe places for vulnerability, peer support, friendship, and flourishing in mutually-supportive, positive relationships beyond their congregations.