Womanist Pastoral Theology Against Intimate and Cultural Violence

Stephanie M. Crumpton is Assistant Professor of Practial Theology at Lancaster Theological Seminary, USA. She is a member of the Society for Pastoral Theology and an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ denomination.

"Stephanie M. Crumpton's contribution to womanist pastoral theology is invaluable, and her attention to the narratives of Black women's lived experience is exquisite and carefully conveyed. Her selective appropriation of psychoanalytic theories in the service of expanding the field's attention to culture and the dynamics of interpersonal and cultural forms of violence is a work very much needed. I am excited that A Womanist Pastoral Theology Against Intimate and Cultural Violence will be available for classes in pastoral theology but also for classes preparing pastoral counselors. It is a sophisticated work and will be appreciated by scholars and graduates grappling with the intersection of race, culture, and psychology." - Phillis Isabella Sheppard, Associate Professor, Religion, Culture and Psychology, Vanderbilt Divinity School, USA "Violence always occurs at the intersection of personal, cultural, and religious horizons. Crumpton gives an excellent analysis of how these horizons create vulnerability for Black women facing violence. Her book is a model of pastoral tools that must be a part of pastoral care with all genders, races, classes, and cultural locations. I recommend this book to all religious leaders who shape communities of care, healing, and salvation in their communities." - James Newton Poling, Professor Emeritus, Pastoral Theology and Counseling, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, USA "Stephanie M. Crumpton has given us an excellent example of the workings of pastoral theology. She courageously engages in an intricate weaving of historic social and cultural studies, psychological analysis, and womanist theology, in confronting the endemic and pervasive issue of violence against women. Grounded in the real life narratives of Black women, this book provides tools for healing and the care of persons individually and communally." - Emmanuel Y. Lartey, L. Bevel Jones Professor, Pastoral Theology, Care and Counseling, Candler School of Theology, Emory University, USA

• Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. A Black Feminist/Womanist Sociohistoric Perspective 3. Self Psychology on Intimate and Cultural Violence 4. Womanist God Talk 5. The Road Ahead PART I: I CAN SPEAK FOR MYSELF 6. 'Rori' 7. 'Eliza' 8. 'Cirene' 9. 'Tamara' 10. 'Camille' 11. Reflecting on Experience PART II: NAVIGATING THE HOSTILE TERRAIN OF INTIMATE AND CULTURAL VIOLENCE 12. Developmental Implications of Intimate Violence 13. Othermothers 14. Sisterfriends 15. Cultural Craftswomen PART III: A GOD I RECOGNIZE 16. Interrogation 17. A Reconstructed Spirituality 18. Enfleshing Power 19. Dealing with Defilement PART IV: WOMANISTCARE: RESHAPING IMAGES AND PARADIGMS FOR CARE 20. A Working Image of WomanistCare 21. Healing Through Communal Ritual 22. Ritual, Power and Abuse PART V: WOMANIST PASTORAL COUNSELING: CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS 23. Recognizing Traumatic Sequelae 24. Traumatic Transference 25. Shame 26. Empathic Work with Trauma and Shame 27. Spirituality as a Therapeutic Resource 28. Conclusion