The Sacred Spark

By Katharine L Steele

For decades it has been no secret that clergywomen in protestant denominations leave ministry at a rates 10 percent higher than their male colleagues. Despite a newfound focus on self-care and work-life balance for clergy, the attrition rate remains. After receiving her own "late" ADHD diagnosis Rev. Dr. Katharine Steele began to wonder if there was a correlation.

Weaving together personal narratives with reflections on her own lived experience, she shares the highs and lows experienced by clergywomen with ADHD. Readers are encouraged to reframe ADHD as a spiritual gift, empowering these clergywomen with unique traits especially suited for spiritual leadership. After a thorough exploration of the effects of ADHD on ministry, a series of recommendations are made for churches, church leadership teams, and denominational leaders. Together, more support for neurodiverse clergy is possible.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 196665541X
• ISBN13: 9781966655411
• Release Date: October 2025
• Publisher: Tehom Center Publishing
• Length: 122 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"