Associate Professor Neil Pembroke’s research interests include: pastoral care in worship and preaching; philosophy and theology in dialogue on issues in pastoral counselling; theology and healthcare; and processes for developing personal and spiritual maturity.
Associate Professor Pembroke holds a B.Eng (Agric.) [D.D.I.A.E.] B.Th (B.C.T.), BA (Hons) (Qld), PhD (Edin), and is a Lecturer in Studies in Religion.
His teaching interests include: History of Western religious thought, philosophical arguments for and against the existence of God, spirituality in the everyday, the Bible.
My research on pastoral care and counselling and on pastoral preaching aims to improve the spiritual and mental health of people.The research I conduct on corporate spirituality in a healthcare context aims to support efforts by mangagers, healthcare providers, and chaplains to create a work environment characterised by compassion, care, trust, and sense of belonging.
Journal Article: A Spirit-Word-Community hermeneutic for the ‘preaching as reimagination’ approach
Pembroke, Neil (2021). A Spirit-Word-Community hermeneutic for the ‘preaching as reimagination’ approach. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 77 (2) a6581. doi: 10.4102/hts.v77i2.6581
Journal Article: A case of therapeutic preaching done well: Theological diagnostics in Von Balthasar’s sermon, ‘Joy in the Midst of Anxiety’
Pembroke, Neil F. (2019). A case of therapeutic preaching done well: Theological diagnostics in Von Balthasar’s sermon, ‘Joy in the Midst of Anxiety’. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 75 (4) a5393. doi: 10.4102/hts.v75i4.5393
Journal Article: Empathic and compassionate healthcare as a Christian spiritual practice
Pembroke, Neil (2019). Empathic and compassionate healthcare as a Christian spiritual practice. Practical Theology, 12 (2), 133-146. doi: 10.1080/1756073X.2019.1586343
Courtesy and Holiness: The Christian Gentleman in Wesleyan and Australian Evangelical Thought.
Doctor Philosophy
Songs of Comfort in a Valley of Tears: Seelsorge, Song, and the Thirty Years' War.
Doctor Philosophy
A critical analysis of the content of sermons preached by ministers ordained between 2002 - 2012 in the United Church in Queensland with particular reference to key theological themes and socio-cultural issues
Doctor Philosophy
Divine therapeia and the sermon: theocentric therapeutic preaching
Pembroke, Neil (2013). Divine therapeia and the sermon: theocentric therapeutic preaching. Eugene, OR. USA: Pickwick Publications.
Pastoral care in worship: Liturgy and psychology in dialogue
Pembroke, Neil (2010). Pastoral care in worship: Liturgy and psychology in dialogue. London, U.K.: T&T Clark International.
Pembroke, Neil (2007). Moving toward spiritual maturity: Psychological, contemplative, and moral challenges in Christian living. Binghamton, N.Y., U.S.A.: Haworth Pastoral Press. doi: 10.4324/9780203051757
Renewing Pastoral Practice: Trinitarian Perspectives on Pastoral Care and Counselling
Pembroke, N. (2006). Renewing Pastoral Practice: Trinitarian Perspectives on Pastoral Care and Counselling. Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing Limited. doi: 10.4324/9781315605364
Working relationships : Spirituality in human service and organisational life
Pembroke, N. (2004). Working relationships : Spirituality in human service and organisational life. London: Jessica Kingsley.
The art of listening: Dialogue, shame, and pastoral care
Pembroke, Neil (2002). The art of listening: Dialogue, shame, and pastoral care. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans.
The chaplain and organizational spirituality of church-sponsored healthcare institutions
Pembroke, Neil (2019). The chaplain and organizational spirituality of church-sponsored healthcare institutions. Chaplaincy and the Soul of Health and Social Care. (pp. 204-216) edited by Ewan Kelly. London, United Kingdom: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
An Ubuntu-inspired Approach to Organisational Spirituality
Pembroke, Neil (2017). An Ubuntu-inspired Approach to Organisational Spirituality. Practicing Ubuntu: Practical Theological Perspectives on Injustice, Personhood, and Human Dignity. (pp. 227-238) edited by J. Dreyer, Y. Dreyer, E. Foley and M. Nel. Berlin, Germany: LIT-Verlag.
Immigration, identity renegotiation, and anonymous faith
Pembroke, Neil (2015). Immigration, identity renegotiation, and anonymous faith. Complex identities in a shifting world: practical theological perspectives. (pp. 243-254) edited by Pamela Couture, Robert Mager, Pamela McCarroll and Natalie Wigg-Stevenson. Zurich, Switzerland: LIT Verlag.
Charm in ministry: The Union of Agape and Eros in pastoral work
Pembroke, Neil (2013). Charm in ministry: The Union of Agape and Eros in pastoral work. City of desires - A place for God?:practical theological perspectives. (pp. 185-193) edited by R. Ruard Ganzevoort, Rein Brouwer and Bonnie Miller-McLemore. Zurich: Lit Verlag.
A critical analysis of three christian correlational approaches to spiritual experience
Pembroke, Neil (2012). A critical analysis of three christian correlational approaches to spiritual experience. Handbook on Spirituality: Belief Systems, Societal Impact and Roles in Coping. (pp. 131-148) New York, NY, United States: Nova Science Publishers.
Healthcare organizations: corporate spirituality
Pembroke, Neil (2012). Healthcare organizations: corporate spirituality. Oxford textbook of spirituality in healthcare. (pp. 391-396) edited by Mark Cobb, Christina M. Puchalski and Bruce Rumbold. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.
Psychology of empathy in a medical context
Pembroke, Neil (2011). Psychology of empathy in a medical context. Psychology of empathy. (pp. 257-265) edited by Danielle J. Scapaletti. Hauppauge, NY, United States: Nova Science Publishers.
Therapy for shame-based perfectionism
Pembroke, Neil (2011). Therapy for shame-based perfectionism. Psychology of Neuroticism and Shame. (pp. 183-195) New York NY United States: Nova Science Publishers.
Spiritual care by physicians: Maintaining the integrity of religion and finding an appropriate form
Pembroke, Neil (2009). Spiritual care by physicians: Maintaining the integrity of religion and finding an appropriate form. Secularization Theories: Religious Identity and Practical Theology: Developing International Practical Theology for the 21st Century. (pp. 343-349) edited by Chris Hermans, Maureen Junker-Kenny, Richard Osmer, Friedrich Schweitzer and Hans-Georg Ziebertz. Berlin: Lit Verlag.
Anonymous faith and the psychology of identity
Pembroke, Neil (1992). Anonymous faith and the psychology of identity. Christian Perspectives on Human Development. (pp. 77-88) Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House.
A Spirit-Word-Community hermeneutic for the ‘preaching as reimagination’ approach
Pembroke, Neil (2021). A Spirit-Word-Community hermeneutic for the ‘preaching as reimagination’ approach. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 77 (2) a6581. doi: 10.4102/hts.v77i2.6581
Pembroke, Neil F. (2019). A case of therapeutic preaching done well: Theological diagnostics in Von Balthasar’s sermon, ‘Joy in the Midst of Anxiety’. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 75 (4) a5393. doi: 10.4102/hts.v75i4.5393
Empathic and compassionate healthcare as a Christian spiritual practice
Pembroke, Neil (2019). Empathic and compassionate healthcare as a Christian spiritual practice. Practical Theology, 12 (2), 133-146. doi: 10.1080/1756073X.2019.1586343
Pembroke, Neil (2019). Participation as a Christian ethic: Wojtyla's phenomenology of subject-in-community, Ubuntu, and the Trinity. Religions, 10 (1) 57. doi: 10.3390/rel10010057
Intellectuals and the Decline of Religion: Essays and Reviews
Pembroke, Neil (2018). Intellectuals and the Decline of Religion: Essays and Reviews. Australian Journal of Politics and History, 64 (3), 524-524. doi: 10.1111/ajph.12507
Pembroke, Neil, Coyle, Suzanne, Gear, Janet, Gubi, Peter, Kelly, Ewan, Louw, Daniel, McMillan, Lex, Niven, Alan, Thierfelder, Constanze, Schmidt, William and van den Berg, Jan-Albert (2018). Toward a structured, tri-domain model of companioning in Christian formation by pastoral agents in a congregational setting: a preliminary report on an international research project. Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling, 72 (2), 104-115. doi: 10.1177/1542305018765659
Artistry in Jesus’ parables and in preaching on them
Pembroke, Neil (2017). Artistry in Jesus’ parables and in preaching on them. Practical Theology, 11 (2), 127-140. doi: 10.1080/1756073X.2017.1415576
Ironic Imagination and Luther’s Mystical Bridal Imagery
Pembroke, Neil (2016). Ironic Imagination and Luther’s Mystical Bridal Imagery. Studies in Spirituality, 26, 249-262. doi: 10.2143/SIS.26.0.3180810
Pembroke, Neil (2016). Contributions from Christian ethics and Buddhist philosophy to the management of compassion fatigue in nurses. Nursing and Health Sciences, 18 (1), 120-124. doi: 10.1111/nhs.12252
Correlational theology in the pulpit
Pembroke, Neil (2015). Correlational theology in the pulpit. Pacifica, 28 (3), 272-289. doi: 10.1177/1030570X16688029
Compassionate care by clinicians: insights from the Judeo-Christian and Buddhist traditions
Pembroke, Neil (2015). Compassionate care by clinicians: insights from the Judeo-Christian and Buddhist traditions. Eubios Journal of Asian and International Bioethics, 25 (1), 21-24.
Two spiritualities of self-emptying: Weil’s ‘Decreation’ and Merton’s Emptying Out the False Self
Pembroke, Neil (2015). Two spiritualities of self-emptying: Weil’s ‘Decreation’ and Merton’s Emptying Out the False Self. Studies in Spirituality, 25, 267-278. doi: 10.2143/SIS.25.0.3112896
Trust and moral commitment in co-operative business: a covenantal perspective
Pembroke, Neil (2013). Trust and moral commitment in co-operative business: a covenantal perspective. Practical Theology, 6 (3), 332-347. doi: 10.1179/1756073X13Z.00000000019
Theocentric therapeutic preaching: an analogical approach
Pembroke, Neil (2013). Theocentric therapeutic preaching: an analogical approach. International Journal of Practical Theology, 17 (2), 314-335. doi: 10.1515/ijpt-2013-0019
Young Australian Christians reading Dawkins and Hitchens: A qualitative study
Pembroke, Neil (2013). Young Australian Christians reading Dawkins and Hitchens: A qualitative study. Theology, 116 (3), 177-186. doi: 10.1177/0040571X12472597
Theocentric therapeutic preaching: a sample sermon with commentary
Pembroke, Neil (2012). Theocentric therapeutic preaching: a sample sermon with commentary. Practical Theology, 5 (3), 237-258. doi: 10.1558/prth.v5i3.237
Pastoral care for shame-based perfectionism
Pembroke, Neil (2012). Pastoral care for shame-based perfectionism. Pastoral Psychology, 61 (2), 245-258. doi: 10.1007/s11089-011-0414-z
Pembroke, Neil (2011). Sacred love negotiations: A qualitative approach to equality and mutuality, and negotiating around needs in marriage and family life in the experience of Australian mainline Christians. International Journal of Practical Theology, 15 (2), 149-172. doi: 10.1515/IJPT.2011.032
Equal regard, just love, and family fairness: The theories in practice
Pembroke, Neil (2011). Equal regard, just love, and family fairness: The theories in practice. Practical Theology, 4 (2), 151-164. doi: 10.1558/prth.v4i2.151
Beyond blue: The role of ironic imagination in overcoming depression
Pembroke, Neil (2011). Beyond blue: The role of ironic imagination in overcoming depression. Journal of Pastoral Theology, 21 (1), 4.1-4.9.
Pembroke, Neil (2011). Outsiders and insiders: personal reflections on methodology in Studies in Religion at The University of Queensland, 1986-2010. Crossroads: an interdisciplinary journal for the study of history, philosophy, religion and classics , V (2), 123-126.
Space in the Trinity and in pastoral care
Pembroke, Neil (2011). Space in the Trinity and in pastoral care. The Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling, 65 (2), 3.1-3.10. doi: 10.1177/154230501106500203
Human dimension in medical care: Insights from Buber and Marcel
Pembroke, Neil (2010). Human dimension in medical care: Insights from Buber and Marcel. Southern Medical Journal, 103 (12), 1210-1213. doi: 10.1097/SMJ.0b013e3181efb3bc
From tourist to pilgrim: Individualization, christianization and the sacraments
Pembroke, Neil (2010). From tourist to pilgrim: Individualization, christianization and the sacraments. Worship, 84 (5), 403-419.
Two Christian spiritualities in suffering: Biblical lament and Weil's consent
Pembroke, Neil (2010). Two Christian spiritualities in suffering: Biblical lament and Weil's consent. Studies in Spirituality, 20, 1-16. doi: 10.2143/SIS.20.0.2061142
Witnessing to hope in the christian community through irony
Pembroke, Neil (2009). Witnessing to hope in the christian community through irony. Pastoral Psychology, 58 (4), 433-443. doi: 10.1007/s11089-008-0192-4
Life-threatening illness, hope, and spiritual meaning-making: Buddhist and Christian perspectives
Pembroke, Neil (2009). Life-threatening illness, hope, and spiritual meaning-making: Buddhist and Christian perspectives. Eubios Journal of Asian and International Bioethics, 19 (1), 27-31.
Partnership in the Workplace: Covenant and Management-Labour Relations
Pembroke, Neil (2009). Partnership in the Workplace: Covenant and Management-Labour Relations. International Journal of Practical Theology, 12 (2), 242-255. doi: 10.1515/IJPT.2008.11
Appropriate spiritual care by physicians: A theological perspective
Pembroke, Neil Francis (2008). Appropriate spiritual care by physicians: A theological perspective. Journal of Religion and Health, 47 (4), 549-559. doi: 10.1007/s10943-008-9183-0
The spirituality of presence in midwifery care
Pembroke, Neil F. and Pembroke, Janelle J. (2008). The spirituality of presence in midwifery care. Midwifery, 24 (3), 321-327. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2006.10.004
Conjugal loss and ambivalent feelings: A theological reflection and a pastoral sermon
Pembroke, Neil (2008). Conjugal loss and ambivalent feelings: A theological reflection and a pastoral sermon. Practical Theology, 1 (2), 181-193.
Narratives of Silence: Availability in a Spirituality of Fathering
Pembroke, N. (2008). Narratives of Silence: Availability in a Spirituality of Fathering. Journal of Men, Masculinities and Spirituality, 2 (2), 82-94.
The Covenant and Management-Employee Relations: The Issue of Identification-Based Trust
Pembroke, N. (2008). The Covenant and Management-Employee Relations: The Issue of Identification-Based Trust. Pacifica: Australasian Theological Studies, 21 (1), 39-56.
Pembroke, N. (2008). The Theologian Psychotherapist Requires Diversity Competence Not Non-Specific Orientation: A Response to Stephen Bright. Psychotherapy in Australia, 14 (2), 66-70.
Empathy, emotion, and ekstasis in the patient-physician relationship
Pembroke, Neil (2007). Empathy, emotion, and ekstasis in the patient-physician relationship. Journal of Religion and Health, 46 (2), 287-298. doi: 10.1007/s10943-006-9071-4
A pastoral perspective on the suffering god
Pembroke, Neil (2006). A pastoral perspective on the suffering god. Colloquium, 38 (1), 27-40.
Pembroke, N (2006). Marcelian charm in nursing practice: The unity of agape and eros as the foundation of an ethic of care. Nursing Philosophy: an international journal for healthcare professionals, 7 (4), 266-274. doi: 10.1111/j.1466-769X.2006.00285.x
Merton's true self and the psychology of the dialogical self
Pembroke, N. (2006). Merton's true self and the psychology of the dialogical self. Religious Studies and Theology: interdisciplinary studies in religion, 25 (2), 191-210.
Kierkegaard as a paradoxical therapist
Pembroke, Neil (2005). Kierkegaard as a paradoxical therapist. Pacifica, 18 (1), 53-66. doi: 10.2557/1030-570X.18.1.1964
A trinitarian perspective on the counseling alliance in narrative therapy
Pembroke, N. (2005). A trinitarian perspective on the counseling alliance in narrative therapy. Journal of Psychology and Christiantiy, 24 (1), 13-20.
Trinity, love, and pastorial mirroring
Pembroke, Neil (2004). Trinity, love, and pastorial mirroring. Pastoral Psychology, 53 (2), 163-173. doi: 10.1023/B:PASP.0000046827.45379.8d
Trinity, polyphony and pastoral relationships
Pembroke, N. (2004). Trinity, polyphony and pastoral relationships. Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling, 58 (4), 351-362. doi: 10.1177/154230500405800408
Pembroke, N. (2003). Jung and the moral self. Compass, 37, 26-31.
Toward a shame-based theology of evangelism
Pembroke, Neil (1998). Toward a shame-based theology of evangelism. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 17 (1), 15-24.
Karl Rahner and Erik H. Erikson on the Crisis of Faith: Self-Transcendence as the Link Term
Pembroke, Neil (1995). Karl Rahner and Erik H. Erikson on the Crisis of Faith: Self-Transcendence as the Link Term. Colloquium, 27 (1), 22-29.
From self-doubt to assurance: The psychological roots of John Wesley's early spiritual development
Pembroke, Neil (1994). From self-doubt to assurance: The psychological roots of John Wesley's early spiritual development. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 13 (3), 242-253.
Script analysis integrated with Donald Capps' thematic approach to pastoral counseling
Pembroke, Neil (1992). Script analysis integrated with Donald Capps' thematic approach to pastoral counseling. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 11 (1), 14-22.
Pembroke, Neil (1990). God in the life-cycle: An integration of Karl Rahner's theology of anonymous faith and Erik Erikson's psychology of identity. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 9 (1), 70-78.
John Stott and Erik Erikson on the problem of modernity: Applications for the Ministry of the Church
Pembroke, Neil (1990). John Stott and Erik Erikson on the problem of modernity: Applications for the Ministry of the Church. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 18 (3), 237-243.
Courtesy and Holiness: The Christian Gentleman in Wesleyan and Australian Evangelical Thought.
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Songs of Comfort in a Valley of Tears: Seelsorge, Song, and the Thirty Years' War.
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
A critical analysis of the content of sermons preached by ministers ordained between 2002 - 2012 in the United Church in Queensland with particular reference to key theological themes and socio-cultural issues
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
A Liturgical-Philosophical Hermeneutic of Scripture
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
A Kierkegaardian Inquiry into Youth Self-Destruction
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Dynamic Tension: Knowledge, Being, and Time between Theological Metaphysics and Continental Philosophy
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
(2021) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
(2021) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
(2020) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Seeking the Shalom: A Wholistic Approach to Adventist Urban Mission in the United States Drawing on Ellen White's "Centres of Influence" Concept.
(2020) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
(2020) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Towards a Practical Theology of Friendship
(2019) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
(2018) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Tweeting God: A practical theological analysis of the communication of Christian motifs on Twitter
(2018) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
(2018) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Hillsong Spirituality: The Divine Experience in a Modern Church
(2016) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
(2016) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
(2016) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Pastor, Counsellor, and Friend: Exploring Multiple Role Relationships in Pastoral Work
(2012) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
(2011) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Christian Education and the Emerging Church
(2011) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
(2009) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
The Sabbath in Luke-Acts: Luke's case for perpetuating the Sabbath
(2020) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
The development of a model of pastoral care for persons on the dementia journey
(2014) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Joint and Mutual Covenantal Priesthood: A Narrative of Community for Australian Baptist Churches
(2013) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
(2013) Master Philosophy — Associate Advisor
(2013) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
From Son to High Priest: The Christological Rhetoric of Hebrews
(2009) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
PRESUMPTUOUS AND IMPIOUS: A FEMINIST ANALYSIS OF THE NARRATIVES AND DISCOURSES OF DIVORCED WHITE WOMEN HOLINESS PREACHERS AT THE TURN OF THE 20TH CENTURY
(2006) Master Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors: