Seminars in what is termed "clerical burnout" are nothing new and are frequently organised for the benefit of the clergy these days. The despondency of men and women in the ministry is often a topic in religious journals.
It is therefore refreshing and helpful to find a book on encouragement for the Christian ministry, such as Keep Going, Columba Press, 152 pp, £7.99.
The editor is the Rev Ken Todd, minister of a Cork church and the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland this year. Men and women, lay and ordained have contributed to this slight volume.
The Rev John Faris, clerk of the Dublin-Munster Presbytery and minister of Trinity Church, Cork and Aghada, has written an insightful and encouraging piece.
Each of the contributions by representatives of major churches is based on a scripture passage or theme. Each is useful either for personal reflection or as a group resource. Recurring themes are the urgency of Christian ministry and the challenge to Christians to be servants not masters.
Also from Columba Press comes Roy Warke's In Search of the Living God, 176 pp, £7.99. Warke seeks "through the eye of faith" to discern the purpose of God in the pageant of history where "great figures come and go, where nations rise and fall, where there are tragedies and calamities".
Warke tries to identify the implications of God's activity in all for individuals and nations. He was Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross from 1988 to 1999.
Denis Carroll, author of Unusual Suspects - Ten Radical Clergy and The Man from God Knows Where - Thomas Russell (Columba Press), both highly commendable and eminently readable, has edited for Columba Religion in Ireland - Past, Present and Future, 160 pp, £8.99.
In contributions by members of the different denominations, the questions "what has been the contribution of Christianity over 2,000 years?" and "what is the likely contribution in the next millennium?" are dealt with.
A Presbyterian contributor is John Dunlop, minister of Rosemary Presbyterian Church and a former moderator of the Presbyterian Church.
A comment that this "should be required reading for all those living here, entrenched within their own religion, with little knowledge or understanding of other roads to salvation" is readily endorsed. Denis Carroll edits with his usual finesse.
Extra-marital pregnancy among teenagers is a growing pastoral problem, it has been reported. Recall of the service of Pact from time to time is needful.
This is a free, non-denominational, confidential counselling and support service for those who need to come to terms with an unexpected pregnancy.
Discovering that one is unexpectedly pregnant can be a major emotional shock for those pregnant certainly, and for the partner and members of the family.
Pact provides practical advice and such information as where to go for medical help, what financial help is available and what legal issues there may be. Pact advises on such crucial emotional issues as dealing with the partner, telling one's family and generally on how to cope with emotions.
Pact also offers counselling for post-abortion trauma and administers a very comprehensive adoption service.
Pact has long experience in counselling and is confidently able to state that talking things through in a clear-headed and informed way can help to make a tremendous difference.
Pact may be contacted on the Pactline, 1850 67 33 33, Monday to Friday, 10.30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Clergy and others working in pastoral care and seeking further information should contact Ms Jane Bogle, the public relations officer.