Carrie Doehring
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The Practice of Pastoral Care, Revised and Expanded Edition: A Postmodern Approach Paperback – Illustrated, January 2, 2015
by Carrie Doehring (Author)
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The Practice of Pastoral Care has become a popular seminary textbook for courses in pastoral care and a manual for clinical pastoral education. In it, Doehring encourages counselors to view their ministry through a trifocal lens that incorporates premodern, modern, and postmodern approaches to religious and psychological knowledge. Doehring describes the basic ingredients of a caregiving relationship, shows how to use the caregiver's life experience as a source of authority, and demonstrates how to develop the skill of listening and establishing the actual relationship. This new edition elaborates on and expands the author's previous work, adding an intercultural perspective that gives more attention to religious pluralism in the pastoral care setting. It offers a road map for using a step-by-step narrative, relational, embodied approach to spiritual care that respects the unique ways people live out their values and beliefs, especially in coping with stress, loss, and violence. Readers will be able to confidently and professionally offer pastoral care and counseling to members of their congregations or other places of ministry.
Editorial Reviews
Review
"A remarkable contribution. Somehow Dr. Doehring is able to weave together the threads of theology, trauma, mental health, culture, self-reflection, research, and practice into a beautiful piece of work that constantly reminds the reader of the distinctively spiritual character of pastoral care. The book is filled with evocative stories, useful concepts, practical tools, and always, Dr. Doehring's own distinctive voice, wisdom, and humanity. Highly recommended for not only pastoral counselors, but counselors from every helping profession." --Kenneth I. Pargament, Professor of Psychology, Bowling Green State University; author of Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy: Understanding and Addressing the Sacred; and Editor-in-Chief, APA Handbook of Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality (Vols. 1 and 2)
"In this revised and expanded edition of her extensively read text, The Practice of Pastoral Care, Professor Carrie Doehring offers a clear and insightful explanation of intercultural pastoral and spiritual care. The book's lucid prose makes it accessible for beginning students who are taking introductory courses. At the same time, Doehring's richly nuanced conversation with current literature in the field makes the book an indispensable resource for seasoned scholars. Doehring unpacks the meaning of spirituality in lived experience, using examples and diagrams and making reference to stories and films that help the reader understand the intersection of psychological, cultural, and theological dimensions of pastoral and spiritual care. She emphasizes the values of respect and compassion and teaches us how to embody these values in caregiving conversations and interactions. This is an eminently practical and wise guide for those learning to offer life-giving care." --Mary Clark Moschella, Roger J. Squire Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Yale Divinity School
"What was already a number-one go-to book in pastoral care has become even better in this new edition. I am especially grateful to see such an expert teacher, scholar, and caregiver tackle the question of theology-as-practiced in a way that readers will find immensely useful. This book reflects years of accumulated wisdom and real sensitivity to both personal suffering and intercultural dynamics, and is a classic in the field." --Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore, author of Christian Theology in Practice
"In this revised and expanded edition, Carrie Doehring makes another remarkable contribution to pastoral theology and to contemporary practices of pastoral care. Using a narrative approach, she provides rich interdisciplinary and current resources for engaging the complex and intersecting differences that shape contexts for care as well as the embodied relationality of those who give and receive such care. Her experienced skill as a teacher shapes each chapter accessibly. Doehring artfully demonstrates the practice of intercultural care as a theologically reflective and co-creative process that seeks spiritual integration and relational justice." --Nancy J. Ramsay, Professor of Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Care, Brite Divinity School
"I welcome this new edition from a leader and pioneer in the field of contemporary pastoral care. Its rich interweaving of narrative, literature, autobiography and cutting-edge theology promises to enrich and challenge practitioners in church and academy for years to come."
--Elaine Graham, Grosvenor Research Professor of Practical Theology, University of Chester, UK
"A carefully constructed and nuanced articulation of the essential features and dynamic operations of pastoral and spiritual care. Whilst not neglecting historic resources, Doehring helps situate the practice of care squarely in contemporary postmodern and pluralist settings drawing on narrative, intercultural and theological engagements with the complex exigencies of human experience. Spiritual caregivers of all kinds must have, read and digest this book." --Emmanuel Y. Lartey, L. Bevel Jones III Professor of Pastoral Theology, Care, and Counseling, Candler School of Theology, Emory University
About the Author
Carrie Doehring is Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling at Iliff School of Theology in Colorado. She is a licensed psychologist and an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). In addition to the first edition of The Practice of Pastoral Care, she is the author of Internal Traumatization and Taking Care: Monitoring Power Dynamics and Relational Boundaries in Pastoral Care and Counseling.
Product details
Publisher : Westminster John Knox Press; Revised and Expanded edition (January 2, 2015)
Language : English
Paperback : 254 pages
Customer reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
Top reviews from the United States
Brigitta
1.0 out of 5 stars Worst ever book!Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2018
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This book is probably the worst book I've ever read. If I didn't have to read it for a class I was taking, I would have returned it for a refund! The type is small and the leading is too tight, making it very hard to read. Also the "graphics" are mostly black type on a dark gray background--unattractive, hard to read, and did not add to the text. The text was also difficult, geared to professionals already in the field of pastoral care. (I'm a novice.) The author used many compound words in compound sentences, which made me pause at the end of the sentence, wondering what did the author say. And having to back over it again, sometimes three times. I did not give this book any stars as I would never recommend it to anyone!
P.S. The teacher has now assigned another book for this class.
4 people found this helpful
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Kevin Compton
4.0 out of 5 stars Some chapters are greatReviewed in the United States on October 27, 2020
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Bought this for a simony course. There are a lot of ideas distilled in this title. It reads like a survey of a lot of information. Some chapters are very dense, like I had to read them aloud to really make sense of the sentences. When the book is good, it is very, very good. When it is not, it is overly dense, overly broad, and overly intentional about trying to hit all of the possible applications, sometimes even in the same sentence.
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Rick Long
5.0 out of 5 stars It is the number one book in my library for caregiving and I could not recommend it more enthusiasticallyReviewed in the United States on September 9, 2015
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Dr. Doehring's revised edition of "The Practice of Pastoral Care" should be considered the standard for all spiritual caregivers to deepen skills and abilities in creating what she describes as "intercultural care"-care based in compassion, walking with, creating safe and ethical environments for caregiving and caregiver self care. Using approaches from psychology, social work, theology and spiritual care. Dr. Doehring does a masterful job in synthesizing a comprehensive approach that remains true to the basic tenet of spiritual care-empathic and compassionate based caregiving that seeks to encourage wholeness and freedom for the suffering soul. It is the number one book in my library for caregiving and I could not recommend it more enthusiastically.
10 people found this helpful
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Melissa M. Skelton
5.0 out of 5 stars AmazingReviewed in the United States on February 6, 2021
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A through, sophisticated and helpful book on perspectives related to functioning as a caregiver in today’s world. Foundational and reflects the complexity of the narratives of caregivers and those to whom they offer care.
One person found this helpful
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MS COLLEEN M DAY
4.0 out of 5 stars Ethical guide for Pastoral CarersReviewed in the United States on October 18, 2015
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This is a comprehensive treatment of the practice of Pastoral Care. It is a very helpful guide for all working in the areas of chaplaincy and pastoral care reflecting the wisdom of experience and reflective practice.
The ethics of professional boundaries and the dangers of crossing those boundaries are explored.
It should be recommended reading for all working in these areas where so much harm can be done when those involved with spiritual care are more involved with self than those seeking their care.
5 people found this helpful
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James F. Gorton
5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read and understand.Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2019
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Good book for CPE students.
2 people found this helpful
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Evenson Household
5.0 out of 5 stars CPE introReviewed in the United States on December 19, 2018
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Great help as I enter CPE
2 people found this helpful
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Kristen
3.0 out of 5 stars ... -- it provides information on care but can become dull or dry and doesn't always hold my attentionReviewed in the United States on October 25, 2016
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This book is okay -- it provides information on care but can become dull or dry and doesn't always hold my attention.
4 people found this helpful
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Mike
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic bookReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 5, 2018
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I bought this book as part of a reading list for my studies.It is excellent
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Good
5.0 out of 5 stars Five StarsReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 13, 2018
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I really enjoyed this book. It was hugely useful to me.
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Pastor Victoria
5.0 out of 5 stars This is an excellent and easy to read and understand book on pastoral care. This book give clarity between caregiver and care seReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 6, 2016
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Will encourage any Theology student to get this book! This specifically teach on basics of pastoral care! Absolutely informative. Great!
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5.0 out of 5 stars Five StarsReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 2, 2015
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As expected
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Cay Hasselmann
3.0 out of 5 stars Fängt super an.Reviewed in Germany on January 28, 2019
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Alles wissenswerte ist am Anfang geschrieben, danach wird es immer weiter verwässert ohne neue Impulse zuzulassen.
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Paperback
$17.00
13 Used from $14.5314 New from $21.73
The Practice of Pastoral Care has become a popular seminary textbook for courses in pastoral care and a manual for clinical pastoral education. In it, Doehring encourages counselors to view their ministry through a trifocal lens that incorporates premodern, modern, and postmodern approaches to religious and psychological knowledge. Doehring describes the basic ingredients of a caregiving relationship, shows how to use the caregiver's life experience as a source of authority, and demonstrates how to develop the skill of listening and establishing the actual relationship. This new edition elaborates on and expands the author's previous work, adding an intercultural perspective that gives more attention to religious pluralism in the pastoral care setting. It offers a road map for using a step-by-step narrative, relational, embodied approach to spiritual care that respects the unique ways people live out their values and beliefs, especially in coping with stress, loss, and violence. Readers will be able to confidently and professionally offer pastoral care and counseling to members of their congregations or other places of ministry.
Editorial Reviews
Review
"A remarkable contribution. Somehow Dr. Doehring is able to weave together the threads of theology, trauma, mental health, culture, self-reflection, research, and practice into a beautiful piece of work that constantly reminds the reader of the distinctively spiritual character of pastoral care. The book is filled with evocative stories, useful concepts, practical tools, and always, Dr. Doehring's own distinctive voice, wisdom, and humanity. Highly recommended for not only pastoral counselors, but counselors from every helping profession." --Kenneth I. Pargament, Professor of Psychology, Bowling Green State University; author of Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy: Understanding and Addressing the Sacred; and Editor-in-Chief, APA Handbook of Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality (Vols. 1 and 2)
"In this revised and expanded edition of her extensively read text, The Practice of Pastoral Care, Professor Carrie Doehring offers a clear and insightful explanation of intercultural pastoral and spiritual care. The book's lucid prose makes it accessible for beginning students who are taking introductory courses. At the same time, Doehring's richly nuanced conversation with current literature in the field makes the book an indispensable resource for seasoned scholars. Doehring unpacks the meaning of spirituality in lived experience, using examples and diagrams and making reference to stories and films that help the reader understand the intersection of psychological, cultural, and theological dimensions of pastoral and spiritual care. She emphasizes the values of respect and compassion and teaches us how to embody these values in caregiving conversations and interactions. This is an eminently practical and wise guide for those learning to offer life-giving care." --Mary Clark Moschella, Roger J. Squire Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Yale Divinity School
"What was already a number-one go-to book in pastoral care has become even better in this new edition. I am especially grateful to see such an expert teacher, scholar, and caregiver tackle the question of theology-as-practiced in a way that readers will find immensely useful. This book reflects years of accumulated wisdom and real sensitivity to both personal suffering and intercultural dynamics, and is a classic in the field." --Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore, author of Christian Theology in Practice
"In this revised and expanded edition, Carrie Doehring makes another remarkable contribution to pastoral theology and to contemporary practices of pastoral care. Using a narrative approach, she provides rich interdisciplinary and current resources for engaging the complex and intersecting differences that shape contexts for care as well as the embodied relationality of those who give and receive such care. Her experienced skill as a teacher shapes each chapter accessibly. Doehring artfully demonstrates the practice of intercultural care as a theologically reflective and co-creative process that seeks spiritual integration and relational justice." --Nancy J. Ramsay, Professor of Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Care, Brite Divinity School
"I welcome this new edition from a leader and pioneer in the field of contemporary pastoral care. Its rich interweaving of narrative, literature, autobiography and cutting-edge theology promises to enrich and challenge practitioners in church and academy for years to come."
--Elaine Graham, Grosvenor Research Professor of Practical Theology, University of Chester, UK
"A carefully constructed and nuanced articulation of the essential features and dynamic operations of pastoral and spiritual care. Whilst not neglecting historic resources, Doehring helps situate the practice of care squarely in contemporary postmodern and pluralist settings drawing on narrative, intercultural and theological engagements with the complex exigencies of human experience. Spiritual caregivers of all kinds must have, read and digest this book." --Emmanuel Y. Lartey, L. Bevel Jones III Professor of Pastoral Theology, Care, and Counseling, Candler School of Theology, Emory University
About the Author
Carrie Doehring is Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling at Iliff School of Theology in Colorado. She is a licensed psychologist and an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). In addition to the first edition of The Practice of Pastoral Care, she is the author of Internal Traumatization and Taking Care: Monitoring Power Dynamics and Relational Boundaries in Pastoral Care and Counseling.
Product details
Publisher : Westminster John Knox Press; Revised and Expanded edition (January 2, 2015)
Language : English
Paperback : 254 pages
Customer reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
Top reviews from the United States
Brigitta
1.0 out of 5 stars Worst ever book!Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2018
Verified Purchase
This book is probably the worst book I've ever read. If I didn't have to read it for a class I was taking, I would have returned it for a refund! The type is small and the leading is too tight, making it very hard to read. Also the "graphics" are mostly black type on a dark gray background--unattractive, hard to read, and did not add to the text. The text was also difficult, geared to professionals already in the field of pastoral care. (I'm a novice.) The author used many compound words in compound sentences, which made me pause at the end of the sentence, wondering what did the author say. And having to back over it again, sometimes three times. I did not give this book any stars as I would never recommend it to anyone!
P.S. The teacher has now assigned another book for this class.
4 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport abuse
Kevin Compton
4.0 out of 5 stars Some chapters are greatReviewed in the United States on October 27, 2020
Verified Purchase
Bought this for a simony course. There are a lot of ideas distilled in this title. It reads like a survey of a lot of information. Some chapters are very dense, like I had to read them aloud to really make sense of the sentences. When the book is good, it is very, very good. When it is not, it is overly dense, overly broad, and overly intentional about trying to hit all of the possible applications, sometimes even in the same sentence.
HelpfulReport abuse
Rick Long
5.0 out of 5 stars It is the number one book in my library for caregiving and I could not recommend it more enthusiasticallyReviewed in the United States on September 9, 2015
Verified Purchase
Dr. Doehring's revised edition of "The Practice of Pastoral Care" should be considered the standard for all spiritual caregivers to deepen skills and abilities in creating what she describes as "intercultural care"-care based in compassion, walking with, creating safe and ethical environments for caregiving and caregiver self care. Using approaches from psychology, social work, theology and spiritual care. Dr. Doehring does a masterful job in synthesizing a comprehensive approach that remains true to the basic tenet of spiritual care-empathic and compassionate based caregiving that seeks to encourage wholeness and freedom for the suffering soul. It is the number one book in my library for caregiving and I could not recommend it more enthusiastically.
10 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport abuse
Melissa M. Skelton
5.0 out of 5 stars AmazingReviewed in the United States on February 6, 2021
Verified Purchase
A through, sophisticated and helpful book on perspectives related to functioning as a caregiver in today’s world. Foundational and reflects the complexity of the narratives of caregivers and those to whom they offer care.
One person found this helpful
HelpfulReport abuse
MS COLLEEN M DAY
4.0 out of 5 stars Ethical guide for Pastoral CarersReviewed in the United States on October 18, 2015
Verified Purchase
This is a comprehensive treatment of the practice of Pastoral Care. It is a very helpful guide for all working in the areas of chaplaincy and pastoral care reflecting the wisdom of experience and reflective practice.
The ethics of professional boundaries and the dangers of crossing those boundaries are explored.
It should be recommended reading for all working in these areas where so much harm can be done when those involved with spiritual care are more involved with self than those seeking their care.
5 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport abuse
James F. Gorton
5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read and understand.Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2019
Verified Purchase
Good book for CPE students.
2 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport abuse
Evenson Household
5.0 out of 5 stars CPE introReviewed in the United States on December 19, 2018
Verified Purchase
Great help as I enter CPE
2 people found this helpful
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Kristen
3.0 out of 5 stars ... -- it provides information on care but can become dull or dry and doesn't always hold my attentionReviewed in the United States on October 25, 2016
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This book is okay -- it provides information on care but can become dull or dry and doesn't always hold my attention.
4 people found this helpful
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Mike
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic bookReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 5, 2018
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I bought this book as part of a reading list for my studies.It is excellent
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Good
5.0 out of 5 stars Five StarsReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 13, 2018
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I really enjoyed this book. It was hugely useful to me.
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Pastor Victoria
5.0 out of 5 stars This is an excellent and easy to read and understand book on pastoral care. This book give clarity between caregiver and care seReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 6, 2016
Verified Purchase
Will encourage any Theology student to get this book! This specifically teach on basics of pastoral care! Absolutely informative. Great!
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five StarsReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 2, 2015
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As expected
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Cay Hasselmann
3.0 out of 5 stars Fängt super an.Reviewed in Germany on January 28, 2019
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Alles wissenswerte ist am Anfang geschrieben, danach wird es immer weiter verwässert ohne neue Impulse zuzulassen.
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==
1 out of 5 stars
Performance 3 out of 5 stars
Story 2 out of 5 stars
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Masterpeace
29-01-2021
not Christian.
If you are looking for a Christian book on pastoral care and counselling... this is not it. it is very liberal and loose in theology and speaks far more the language of humanistic sociology rather than Christian Theology.
===
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The Practice of Pastoral Care: A Postmodern Approach
by
Carrie Doehring
3.87 · Rating details · 280 ratings · 16 reviews
Drawing on psychological, theological, and cultural studies on suffering, Carrie Doehring encourages counselors to view their ministry through trifocal lenses and include approaches that are premodern (apprehending God through religious rituals), modern (consulting rational and empirical sources), and postmodern (acknowledging the contextual nature of knowledge). Utilizing strategies from all three perspectives, Doehring describes the basic ingredients of a caregiving relationship, shows how to use the caregiver's life experience as a source of authority, and demonstrates how to develop the skill of listening and establish the actual relationship. She then explains the steps of psychological assessment, systemic assessment, and theological reflection, and finally she delineates the basic steps for plans of care: attending to the careseeker's safety, building trust, mourning losses, and reconnecting with the ordinariness of life. (less)
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Paperback, 200 pages
Published February 16th 2006 by Westminster John Knox Press
Original Title
The Practice of Pastoral Care: A Postmodern Approach
ISBN
0664226841 (ISBN13: 9780664226848)
Edition Language
English
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Oct 20, 2008Mike rated it really liked it
If you have a problem with the "postmodern worldview" don't let the subtitle scare you off. This book has good advice for pastors and those who find themselves doing similar work. (less)
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Aug 17, 2021Jason rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: professional-since-2015
Wish I knew about this book years ago. It does a great job explaining the evolution of an individual's theology and the power of embracing beliefs that are life-giving. (less)
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Jun 21, 2017Sofia Wren rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: nonfiction
For school and I actually like it
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Nov 17, 2019Yonasan Aryeh rated it it was amazing
With a title like this, it should be obvious to the reader that this work is intended for a religious audience. The fact is that every religion has someone that fills in the role of pastoral care. The title may not be pastor. It could be teacher, Rabbi, Bishop, etc.
In fact, this work takes more of an agnostic or non-denominational approach, with credentials from Yale Divinity. The book is designed to take an intercultural approach to reach anyone in a similar position. Even better, storytelling is the heart of pastoral care in this work. With my own doctoral in semiotics, seeing the implied relevance of storytelling is encouraging and bolsters the foundation of this work.
I’ll admit it - I went into this review process thinking that I was not going to enjoy the book. That’s now how it ended.
So why is storytelling so essential for this? To quote the author at different points, narrative builds trust, finds meaning in praxis, assesses interwoven theologies, and presents a cohesive, digestible, tangible way to connect to the person. We use storytelling everyday, so why not use it in pastoral care? After all, are religions not based on the concepts of bigger picture, individual narrative in the whole of creation? Based on trust? Based on value and meaning? The answer, of course, is yes to all of the above.
“The mingling of the care seeker’s and caregiver’s narrative worlds generates an intersubjective space for meaning-making.”
The author’s voice is the most challenging part of this work. The discussion is quite academic in nature, using larger terminology and theoretical theologies that can leave a reader reeling from vocabulary and cobwebs alone. But this is not a cobweb of a book - this is a complex web drafted in a format that requires the intellectual mind to engage the theological components and make sense of the mess. Quite frankly, it requires a higher-level degree in order to fully benefit from the work and digest it in a way that is comprehendable and useable to apply to providing pastoral care for one’s own congregation. Whether that is a Master’s, Doctorate, or Smicha, this is not entry-level material, which is it’s greatest weakness.
Disclosure: I have received a reviewer copy and/or payment in exchange for an honest review of the product mentioned in this post. This product is reviewed based on content and quality in consideration of the intended audience. Review or recommendation of this product does not solicit endorsement from Reviews by J or the reviewer. (less)
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Jun 01, 2020Rob O'Lynn rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: ministry, psychology, spirituality, theology
An excellent introduction to the practice of pastoral care, especially one that is grounded in the methodological approach of the Clinical Pastoral Education movement. Slight theological differences aside, this volume promotes a holistic approach to the caregiving relationship.
Unlike most volumes that (incorrectly) approach "pastoral care" from a counseling perspective that would require a long-term commitment comprised of weekly sessions, this volume rightly approaches "pastoral care" from the more interventionist approach connected to crisis management ministry (i.e., chaplaincy).
While there is (and should be) a counseling approach to chaplaincy and crisis intervention, that is not the beginning point. There is a much-needed triage element to Doehring's work that underlies her approach, something is almost always missing from other works that focus more on treatment than assessment, something that is certainly more apropos to pastoral ministry. (less)
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May 11, 2018Lori Neff rated it really liked it
I read this book as a part of a Pastoral Care class. I really enjoyed it - it was inspiring, informative. The charts were helpful and practical. I do wish there had been more examples given. I do understand the author's desire to keep the book broad in practice, but when she suggested that spiritual practices could help in a crisis, I wondered what an example might be.
Overall, very glad I read it and will hang on to it for future reference. (less)
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Jan 13, 2017Brian Sturtz rated it really liked it · review of another edition
The author offers an integrated method to listen well to the stories of others. Part of listening includes picking up on the theology of the other person and seeing if that theology is life giving or life limiting. A reader could be turned off by her use of technical terms and a very broad view of "spirituality". However, there are plenty of practical applications given as well as helpful diagrams. Good book for those seeking to better their pastoral care skills. (less)
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Dec 26, 2020Katie Ruth rated it it was amazing
Shelves: 2020
In this comprehensive contribution to the field of pastoral care, Doehring unpacks best practices for those in ministry contexts drawing on wisdom from her own experiences, storytelling, and modern psychology. Her thoughts on reflexivity and the expansion of one's own theological journey to make space for that of others is a very necessary aspect of pastoral care, and one I hope to see more of in the future. (less)
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Nov 17, 2019Joshua Lawson rated it really liked it
Shelves: spiritual-care
I read this book as part of my first unit of Clinical Pastoral Education. Doehring does an excellent job outlining the major goals and methods of spiritual care. I've already begun integrating her pastoral approach with my own. (less)
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Feb 06, 2021Melissa M. Skelton rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Amazing
A through, sophisticated and helpful book on perspectives related to functioning as a caregiver in today’s world. Foundational and reflects the complexity of the narratives of caregivers and those to whom they offer care.
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Jun 04, 2017Alan Londy rated it really liked it
Informative but uneven.
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Jan 26, 2015Mark rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
This is an excellent study, discussion, and reference on how to provide appropriate pastoral care to a diverse and pluralistic population. One of the emphases is that the care giver must not assume that the care seeker share the care giver's frame of reference, be it faith, social structures, beliefs, or cultural norms. The care giver must not impose his or her beliefs onto the seeker. The care giver must derive from listening to the care seeker where he or she is coming from, and to offer affirmations and options, not suggestions or judgment.
This is achieved through what Carrie describes as self-reflexivity in which the care giver works intentionally with a trusted group of peers to understand her or his assumptions and actions in care giving. These assumptions include various social systems such as sexism, racism, heterosexism, and religions. Through this activity the care giver learns how she or he may have inadvertently harmed the care seeker by imposing assumptions, beliefs, and judgment in a harmful manner. The goal is to ensure that the care giver and care seeker relationship can be as healing and supportive as possible.
The material in this book is based on a Christian starting point. However, if the reader is looking for "biblical counseling" material, he will be disappointed. Carrie's material incorporates the principles she discusses: she allows her Christian faith to influence how she incorporates the diverse counseling material that is available and provides a perspective that she believes can be the most healing through established best practices. The principles in this book align very much with counseling and victim advocacy principles that are taught in colleges and universities. Even those without faith backgrounds can find much to inform and assist with their counseling work and practices, especially in their interactions with care seekers that do come from highly spiritual and/or religious frames. Each chapter ends with exercises to reinforce and assist the care giver in putting into practice the principles discussed.
(The book was supplied as an ARC via NetGalley by the publisher.) (less)
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Sep 18, 2014David Cowpar rated it liked it
The author is a female Presbyterian minister. Despite this she seems to be a Feminist and a liberal theologian. She very seldom mentions the work of the Holy Spirit and Jesus in the lives of the individuals she is caring for.
There are hints that she is a universalist, or that she believes Christianity to be merely a coping mechanism for life and not a fact/truth.
Her book claimed to be a postmodern approach to pastoral care though she, which she herself admits, uses a blend of pre-modern, modern and postmodern approaches to pastoral care.
There are some good take away points from the book, but it was not the best book I’ve read on pastoral care/theology. (less)
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Sep 04, 2013Michael Woods rated it it was amazing
Shelves: nonfiction, pastoral-care, religious, theology-philosophy
A very good introduction to pastoral care. A must read for anyone thinking of attending seminary or answering a call to ministry or chaplaincy. The author discusses 21st Century considerations as they relate to the practice of caring for those God has called us to serve.
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Oct 20, 2014Rob Sabin rated it really liked it
Just read this the second time. This time for CPE and I find greater relevance to ministry now, than the first time I read it in seminary. I could have grown wiser or this ministry lends more toward the post modern view.
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Jan 18, 2014Kate Davis rated it really liked it
Shelves: nonfiction, theme-spirituality-religion, z-seminary, nf-leadership, nf-church-cong
This is the book I would give to people who wonder about The Seattle School's approach to pastoring. Narrative based, postmodern. Which is great, except that I read it three years in--obnoxious. (less)
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