Author: Sinclair L. Thorne
Publisher: Xulon Press
ISBN: 1609574672
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 130
Book Description
People from various walks of life will accept the call to pastor a church without any idea about how to be a pastor, the responsibilities of a pastor, and what to do with the vision that God has given them for the church. In his book, the author, who has served as a pastor for over 22 years, provides a Biblical perspective of what the pastor needs to know and the price that must be paid when accepting the call to lead God's people. Several critical areas of pastorship are addressed, including the price of pastoring; the price of pastoring those with whom we disagree, the price of pastoring the brokenhearted; the price of pastoring those who are stumbling blocks and hindrances to the forward moving of the ministry; the privileges and rewards of pastoring; what to do with the vision that God has given for the church; and extending the vision to the community. This is a timely and valuable resource and should be a part of every pastor's and pastoral student's library. Rev. Dr. Sinclair L. Thorne has served as the pastor of First Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Hinesville, Georgia for over 22 years. He is a graduate of ITC Theological Seminary Extension Course, Morehouse School of Religion, and has a Master of Divinity and a Doctorate of Religion in Pastoral Care from the New Life Bible Community School of Ministry and Bible Institute of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He retired from the U.S. Army as First Sergeant of Charlie Company, 24th Support Battalion in 1992, after returning from the Gulf War. He is the former President of the Ministerial Alliance of Liberty County, Dean and Assistant Program Coordinator for the Tattnall Baptist Association, and President of the First District of the Georgia Missionary Baptist Convention.
The Price of Pastoral Care and Dealing with the Vision for the Church
Author: Sinclair L. Thorne
Publisher: Xulon Press
ISBN: 1609574672
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 130
Book Description
People from various walks of life will accept the call to pastor a church without any idea about how to be a pastor, the responsibilities of a pastor, and what to do with the vision that God has given them for the church. In his book, the author, who has served as a pastor for over 22 years, provides a Biblical perspective of what the pastor needs to know and the price that must be paid when accepting the call to lead God's people. Several critical areas of pastorship are addressed, including the price of pastoring; the price of pastoring those with whom we disagree, the price of pastoring the brokenhearted; the price of pastoring those who are stumbling blocks and hindrances to the forward moving of the ministry; the privileges and rewards of pastoring; what to do with the vision that God has given for the church; and extending the vision to the community. This is a timely and valuable resource and should be a part of every pastor's and pastoral student's library. Rev. Dr. Sinclair L. Thorne has served as the pastor of First Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Hinesville, Georgia for over 22 years. He is a graduate of ITC Theological Seminary Extension Course, Morehouse School of Religion, and has a Master of Divinity and a Doctorate of Religion in Pastoral Care from the New Life Bible Community School of Ministry and Bible Institute of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He retired from the U.S. Army as First Sergeant of Charlie Company, 24th Support Battalion in 1992, after returning from the Gulf War. He is the former President of the Ministerial Alliance of Liberty County, Dean and Assistant Program Coordinator for the Tattnall Baptist Association, and President of the First District of the Georgia Missionary Baptist Convention.
Publisher: Xulon Press
ISBN: 1609574672
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 130
Book Description
People from various walks of life will accept the call to pastor a church without any idea about how to be a pastor, the responsibilities of a pastor, and what to do with the vision that God has given them for the church. In his book, the author, who has served as a pastor for over 22 years, provides a Biblical perspective of what the pastor needs to know and the price that must be paid when accepting the call to lead God's people. Several critical areas of pastorship are addressed, including the price of pastoring; the price of pastoring those with whom we disagree, the price of pastoring the brokenhearted; the price of pastoring those who are stumbling blocks and hindrances to the forward moving of the ministry; the privileges and rewards of pastoring; what to do with the vision that God has given for the church; and extending the vision to the community. This is a timely and valuable resource and should be a part of every pastor's and pastoral student's library. Rev. Dr. Sinclair L. Thorne has served as the pastor of First Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Hinesville, Georgia for over 22 years. He is a graduate of ITC Theological Seminary Extension Course, Morehouse School of Religion, and has a Master of Divinity and a Doctorate of Religion in Pastoral Care from the New Life Bible Community School of Ministry and Bible Institute of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He retired from the U.S. Army as First Sergeant of Charlie Company, 24th Support Battalion in 1992, after returning from the Gulf War. He is the former President of the Ministerial Alliance of Liberty County, Dean and Assistant Program Coordinator for the Tattnall Baptist Association, and President of the First District of the Georgia Missionary Baptist Convention.
The Church's Story
Author: Peter Lynch
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781876295790
Category : Pastoral care
Languages : en
Pages : 352
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781876295790
Category : Pastoral care
Languages : en
Pages : 352
Book Description
Effective Pastoring
Author: Bill Lawrence
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 1418558982
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 273
Book Description
"A great deal of confusion exists today as to what pastors are to be," Lawrence writes. "Are they chaplains, CEO's, preachers, managers, or counselors? Paul gave us the answer long ago: They are to be equippers, disciple-makers." Just as the great artist Michelangelo took a chipped and flawed piece of marble and transformed it into a masterful sculpture of David, so does a pastor with his flock. "This is pastoring", writes Lawrence, "serving as sculptors of souls."
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 1418558982
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 273
Book Description
"A great deal of confusion exists today as to what pastors are to be," Lawrence writes. "Are they chaplains, CEO's, preachers, managers, or counselors? Paul gave us the answer long ago: They are to be equippers, disciple-makers." Just as the great artist Michelangelo took a chipped and flawed piece of marble and transformed it into a masterful sculpture of David, so does a pastor with his flock. "This is pastoring", writes Lawrence, "serving as sculptors of souls."
Calvin's Company of Pastors
Author: Scott M. Manetsch
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0190224479
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 445
Book Description
In Calvin's Company of Pastors, Scott Manetsch examines the pastoral theology and practical ministry activities of Geneva's reformed ministers from the time of Calvin's arrival in Geneva until the beginning of the seventeenth century. During these seven decades, more than 130 men were enrolled in Geneva's Venerable Company of Pastors (as it was called), including notable reformed leaders such as Pierre Viret, Theodore Beza, Simon Goulart, Lambert Daneau, and Jean Diodati. Aside from these better-known epigones, Geneva's pastors from this period remain hidden from view, cloaked in Calvin's long shadow, even though they played a strategic role in preserving and reshaping Calvin's pastoral legacy. Making extensive use of archival materials, published sermons, catechisms, prayer books, personal correspondence, and theological writings, Manetsch offers an engaging and vivid portrait of pastoral life in sixteenth- and early seventeenth-century Geneva, exploring the manner in which Geneva's ministers conceived of their pastoral office and performed their daily responsibilities of preaching, public worship, moral discipline, catechesis, administering the sacraments, and pastoral care. Manetsch demonstrates that Calvin and his colleagues were much more than ivory tower theologians or "quasi-agents of the state," concerned primarily with dispensing theological information to their congregations or enforcing magisterial authority. Rather, they saw themselves as spiritual shepherds of Christ's Church, and this self-understanding shaped to a significant degree their daily work as pastors and preachers.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0190224479
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 445
Book Description
In Calvin's Company of Pastors, Scott Manetsch examines the pastoral theology and practical ministry activities of Geneva's reformed ministers from the time of Calvin's arrival in Geneva until the beginning of the seventeenth century. During these seven decades, more than 130 men were enrolled in Geneva's Venerable Company of Pastors (as it was called), including notable reformed leaders such as Pierre Viret, Theodore Beza, Simon Goulart, Lambert Daneau, and Jean Diodati. Aside from these better-known epigones, Geneva's pastors from this period remain hidden from view, cloaked in Calvin's long shadow, even though they played a strategic role in preserving and reshaping Calvin's pastoral legacy. Making extensive use of archival materials, published sermons, catechisms, prayer books, personal correspondence, and theological writings, Manetsch offers an engaging and vivid portrait of pastoral life in sixteenth- and early seventeenth-century Geneva, exploring the manner in which Geneva's ministers conceived of their pastoral office and performed their daily responsibilities of preaching, public worship, moral discipline, catechesis, administering the sacraments, and pastoral care. Manetsch demonstrates that Calvin and his colleagues were much more than ivory tower theologians or "quasi-agents of the state," concerned primarily with dispensing theological information to their congregations or enforcing magisterial authority. Rather, they saw themselves as spiritual shepherds of Christ's Church, and this self-understanding shaped to a significant degree their daily work as pastors and preachers.
Pastoral Ministry according to Paul
Author: James W. Thompson
Publisher: Baker Academic
ISBN: 1441205896
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 176
Book Description
What is the ultimate purpose of pastoral ministry? What emphases and priorities should take precedence? In the day-to-day emphasis on various pastoral roles and pragmatic concerns, what can sometimes get lost is the theological foundation for understanding pastoral ministry. James Thompson is a New Testament scholar with a concern for relating biblical studies to practical ministry. Here he does a careful study of several of Paul's epistles in order to see what Paul's vision and purpose were for his own ministry. He finds that Paul's aim was an ethical transformation of the communities (not just individuals) with which he worked, so that they would live lives worthy of the gospel until Christ's return. Using this as a framework, Thompson offers suggestions for practical application to contemporary ministry.
Publisher: Baker Academic
ISBN: 1441205896
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 176
Book Description
What is the ultimate purpose of pastoral ministry? What emphases and priorities should take precedence? In the day-to-day emphasis on various pastoral roles and pragmatic concerns, what can sometimes get lost is the theological foundation for understanding pastoral ministry. James Thompson is a New Testament scholar with a concern for relating biblical studies to practical ministry. Here he does a careful study of several of Paul's epistles in order to see what Paul's vision and purpose were for his own ministry. He finds that Paul's aim was an ethical transformation of the communities (not just individuals) with which he worked, so that they would live lives worthy of the gospel until Christ's return. Using this as a framework, Thompson offers suggestions for practical application to contemporary ministry.
Spurgeon in Black
Author: Deborah E. Willis
Publisher: Xulon Press
ISBN: 1609579658
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 354
Book Description
Very few would dare to compare any person, past or present, to the great 19th century preacher, C.H. Spurgeon. However, this author defies the masses and presents to the world, Rev. Walter Bowie, Jr., one of the few African American reformed preachers in America and perhaps the world. Rev. Bowie's letters, articles, and sermons have stirred the souls of many individuals, taking them from disgrace to grace that is only found at the foot of the Cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As with many reformed thinkers, Rev. Bowie's theological and philosophical position on many subjects presented in this collection are controversial. They have been particularly challenging to the traditional African American religious beliefs and world view. As witnessed by the falling away of many from the church and its fundamental beliefs, very few would dare to walk in the theological shoes of C.H. Spurgeon: however this one man stands tall in those shoes and has found God's grace to be sufficient in these dark days. The author, Deborah E. Willis, a close personal friend of Rev. Walter Bowie Jr., realized the value of his writings when she was just a child. She began collecting his letters, articles, studies in theology, and sermons when she was 15 years old; and now as an adult, is providing the collection to the world. Ms. Willis works as a Marriage & Family Therapist for the United States Army in Europe. She has authored two books with Xulon Press: (1) A Life of Agony & Praise, and (2) A New Season: From Deliverance to Praise (under revision). She is the primary editor for two additional Xulon Press books: The Price of Pastoral Care and Dealing with the Vision of the Church; and The Cross Bearing of a Pastor's Wife.
Publisher: Xulon Press
ISBN: 1609579658
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 354
Book Description
Very few would dare to compare any person, past or present, to the great 19th century preacher, C.H. Spurgeon. However, this author defies the masses and presents to the world, Rev. Walter Bowie, Jr., one of the few African American reformed preachers in America and perhaps the world. Rev. Bowie's letters, articles, and sermons have stirred the souls of many individuals, taking them from disgrace to grace that is only found at the foot of the Cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As with many reformed thinkers, Rev. Bowie's theological and philosophical position on many subjects presented in this collection are controversial. They have been particularly challenging to the traditional African American religious beliefs and world view. As witnessed by the falling away of many from the church and its fundamental beliefs, very few would dare to walk in the theological shoes of C.H. Spurgeon: however this one man stands tall in those shoes and has found God's grace to be sufficient in these dark days. The author, Deborah E. Willis, a close personal friend of Rev. Walter Bowie Jr., realized the value of his writings when she was just a child. She began collecting his letters, articles, studies in theology, and sermons when she was 15 years old; and now as an adult, is providing the collection to the world. Ms. Willis works as a Marriage & Family Therapist for the United States Army in Europe. She has authored two books with Xulon Press: (1) A Life of Agony & Praise, and (2) A New Season: From Deliverance to Praise (under revision). She is the primary editor for two additional Xulon Press books: The Price of Pastoral Care and Dealing with the Vision of the Church; and The Cross Bearing of a Pastor's Wife.
Pastoral Care and Intellectual Disability
Author: Anna Katherine Shurley
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781481301695
Category : Church work with people with mental disabilities
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Every Christian is called to and gifted for ministry. The church can--and must--engage all of its members if it is to flourish fully. Far too often, persons with intellectual disabilities are excluded. While members with disability are often recipients of the church's ministry, they are seldom given the opportunity to reciprocate: persons with disability are not always fully empowered to minister. In Pastoral Care and Intellectual Disability, Anna Katherine Shurley asserts the church's need for mutuality in pastoral care. While the shape of each person's vocation is unique, all members of the body of Christ are created for ministry with one another as partners in spiritual care. In a quest for pastoral care that is fundamentally collaborative and fully inclusive, Shurley turns to the psychology of D. W. Winnicott and to Karl Barth's theology of Christian vocation. From this combination, she crafts person-centered pastoral care for the body of Christ and all its members, with or without intellectual disabilities. Person-centered pastoral care recognizes that people with intellectual disabilities can and must participate as partners in the church. Faith communities, Shurley suggests, can foster collaborative ministry by nurturing pastoral friendships among its membership. These sacred friendships are spaces in which people share their lives with one another as a truly collaborative practice of care. Through these pastoral friendships mediated by the presence of the Holy Spirit, all of God's children can live their particular vocations. By engaging person-centered practices of pastoral care, the church strengthens its witness and truly becomes a place of belonging for all people.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781481301695
Category : Church work with people with mental disabilities
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Every Christian is called to and gifted for ministry. The church can--and must--engage all of its members if it is to flourish fully. Far too often, persons with intellectual disabilities are excluded. While members with disability are often recipients of the church's ministry, they are seldom given the opportunity to reciprocate: persons with disability are not always fully empowered to minister. In Pastoral Care and Intellectual Disability, Anna Katherine Shurley asserts the church's need for mutuality in pastoral care. While the shape of each person's vocation is unique, all members of the body of Christ are created for ministry with one another as partners in spiritual care. In a quest for pastoral care that is fundamentally collaborative and fully inclusive, Shurley turns to the psychology of D. W. Winnicott and to Karl Barth's theology of Christian vocation. From this combination, she crafts person-centered pastoral care for the body of Christ and all its members, with or without intellectual disabilities. Person-centered pastoral care recognizes that people with intellectual disabilities can and must participate as partners in the church. Faith communities, Shurley suggests, can foster collaborative ministry by nurturing pastoral friendships among its membership. These sacred friendships are spaces in which people share their lives with one another as a truly collaborative practice of care. Through these pastoral friendships mediated by the presence of the Holy Spirit, all of God's children can live their particular vocations. By engaging person-centered practices of pastoral care, the church strengthens its witness and truly becomes a place of belonging for all people.
Leading with Vision
Author: Dale Galloway
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780834117242
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 164
Book Description
Words by tried and tested leaders not only encourage, but educate. "The Power of Vision" is the first compilation of speeches made at the Beeson Leadership Institute by contemporary leaders such as John Maxwell, Maxie Dunham, and James Earl Massey, highlighting the incredible opportunities visionary leadership provides.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780834117242
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 164
Book Description
Words by tried and tested leaders not only encourage, but educate. "The Power of Vision" is the first compilation of speeches made at the Beeson Leadership Institute by contemporary leaders such as John Maxwell, Maxie Dunham, and James Earl Massey, highlighting the incredible opportunities visionary leadership provides.
A Vision for Preaching
Author: Abraham Kuruvilla
Publisher: Baker Academic
ISBN: 1441228144
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 347
Book Description
This book by a well-respected teacher of preachers develops an integrated biblical and theological vision for preaching that addresses the essentials of this most important activity in the church. Drawing on influential voices from church history, Abraham Kuruvilla reclaims what has been lost through the centuries and offers fresh insights, showing preachers what they can aim for as an ideal in their preaching. He helps preachers have a better conception of what it means to preach, a fuller understanding of the divinely granted privilege of preaching, and a greater excitement for the preaching ministry. Concluding biblical reflections reinforce the teaching of each chapter.
Publisher: Baker Academic
ISBN: 1441228144
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 347
Book Description
This book by a well-respected teacher of preachers develops an integrated biblical and theological vision for preaching that addresses the essentials of this most important activity in the church. Drawing on influential voices from church history, Abraham Kuruvilla reclaims what has been lost through the centuries and offers fresh insights, showing preachers what they can aim for as an ideal in their preaching. He helps preachers have a better conception of what it means to preach, a fuller understanding of the divinely granted privilege of preaching, and a greater excitement for the preaching ministry. Concluding biblical reflections reinforce the teaching of each chapter.
Pastoral Care
Author: Dr. Karen D. Scheib
Publisher: Abingdon Press
ISBN: 1426766483
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 199
Book Description
Christian pastoral care is a narrative, ecclesial, theological practice (NET). As a narrative practice, pastoral care attends to the inseparable interconnection between our own lifestories, others’ stories, the larger cultural stories, and God’s story. As a ministry of the church, pastoral care is an ecclesial practice that derives its motivation, purpose, and identity from the larger mission of the church to bear witness to and embody God’s mission of love that extends beyond the church for the transformation of the world. As a theological practice, pastoral care is grounded in God’s love story. God’s profound love for humankind heals our brokenness when human love fails and invites us into an ongoing process of growth in love of God, self, and neighbor. Intended for those who provide care with and on behalf of religious communities, author Karen Scheib focuses on listening and “restorying” practices occurring in the context and setting of congregations. By coauthoring narratives that promote healing and growth in love, pastoral caregivers become cocreators and companions who help others revise and construct life-stories reshaped by the grace of God. What Karen Scheib has done in this book is to reposition pastoral care as a theological activity performed in the context of the church. She draws deeply upon her Wesleyan theological heritage, upon an understanding of life in its fullness as growth in love and grace, and upon a “communion ecclesiology” undergirded by a communal understanding of the Trinitarian life of God. Thus grounded, she envisions pastoral care first as a rhythm of the life of the whole church and secondarily as a work of trained pastors. In her vision, pastoral care is rescued from a narrow understanding of it as exceptional acts of intervention performed only in moments of dire crisis. Instead, it becomes a “daily practice of pastoral care,” an attending, in love, to the stories of others and a “listening for ways God is already present in a life story.” Solidly theological, grounded in the life of the church, and eminently teachable – Karen Scheib has given us a great gift in this book.” from the Foreword -Thomas G. Long, Bandy Professor of Preaching, Emeritus, Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA. "In a wonderfully engaging, reflective, and useful way, Karen Scheib captures something absolutely essential to pastoral care and yet often overlooked—the utter centrality of storytelling/listening, the power of stories to heal, and their vital connection to bigger stories told within religious communities. This book is a real milestone, reclaiming the importance of “narrative knowing” and grounding care not only in community but also within a comprehensive theological framework." --Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore, E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of Religion, Psychology, and Culture, The Divinity School and Graduate Department of Religion, Vanderbilt University Divinity School, Nashville, TN “Implementing narrative personality and therapy theories and anchored in ecclesiology and Wesleyan theology (NET), Karen Scheib’s book advances a long awaited and holistic approach to pastoral care. Her NET approach presents the embodiment of pastoral care by emphasizing both narrative and paradigmatic knowing, proposes the subjectivity of our stories in pastoral care by pointing out the interchangeability between us and our stories as subject and object, and underscores the dynamic process of pastoral care through the interconnection of the storyteller, listener, and context. Scheib’s image of story companion contributes to the field as a new paradigm of pastoral care and promises to be a significant resource in generating hope and growth in love for both pastoral caregiver and receiver.” —Angella Son, Associate Professor, Drew University, Madison, NJ "Pastoral theologian Scheib describes a narrative, ecclesial, and theological approach for listening to people’s life stories in such a way as to engender spiritual formation and growth in love. Scheib clarifies the connections between caring conversations and Christian theology. Clear and accessible prose as well as helpful exercises and discussion starters make this a fine teaching text." -The Christian Century, Sept. 29, 2016.
Publisher: Abingdon Press
ISBN: 1426766483
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 199
Book Description
Christian pastoral care is a narrative, ecclesial, theological practice (NET). As a narrative practice, pastoral care attends to the inseparable interconnection between our own lifestories, others’ stories, the larger cultural stories, and God’s story. As a ministry of the church, pastoral care is an ecclesial practice that derives its motivation, purpose, and identity from the larger mission of the church to bear witness to and embody God’s mission of love that extends beyond the church for the transformation of the world. As a theological practice, pastoral care is grounded in God’s love story. God’s profound love for humankind heals our brokenness when human love fails and invites us into an ongoing process of growth in love of God, self, and neighbor. Intended for those who provide care with and on behalf of religious communities, author Karen Scheib focuses on listening and “restorying” practices occurring in the context and setting of congregations. By coauthoring narratives that promote healing and growth in love, pastoral caregivers become cocreators and companions who help others revise and construct life-stories reshaped by the grace of God. What Karen Scheib has done in this book is to reposition pastoral care as a theological activity performed in the context of the church. She draws deeply upon her Wesleyan theological heritage, upon an understanding of life in its fullness as growth in love and grace, and upon a “communion ecclesiology” undergirded by a communal understanding of the Trinitarian life of God. Thus grounded, she envisions pastoral care first as a rhythm of the life of the whole church and secondarily as a work of trained pastors. In her vision, pastoral care is rescued from a narrow understanding of it as exceptional acts of intervention performed only in moments of dire crisis. Instead, it becomes a “daily practice of pastoral care,” an attending, in love, to the stories of others and a “listening for ways God is already present in a life story.” Solidly theological, grounded in the life of the church, and eminently teachable – Karen Scheib has given us a great gift in this book.” from the Foreword -Thomas G. Long, Bandy Professor of Preaching, Emeritus, Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA. "In a wonderfully engaging, reflective, and useful way, Karen Scheib captures something absolutely essential to pastoral care and yet often overlooked—the utter centrality of storytelling/listening, the power of stories to heal, and their vital connection to bigger stories told within religious communities. This book is a real milestone, reclaiming the importance of “narrative knowing” and grounding care not only in community but also within a comprehensive theological framework." --Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore, E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of Religion, Psychology, and Culture, The Divinity School and Graduate Department of Religion, Vanderbilt University Divinity School, Nashville, TN “Implementing narrative personality and therapy theories and anchored in ecclesiology and Wesleyan theology (NET), Karen Scheib’s book advances a long awaited and holistic approach to pastoral care. Her NET approach presents the embodiment of pastoral care by emphasizing both narrative and paradigmatic knowing, proposes the subjectivity of our stories in pastoral care by pointing out the interchangeability between us and our stories as subject and object, and underscores the dynamic process of pastoral care through the interconnection of the storyteller, listener, and context. Scheib’s image of story companion contributes to the field as a new paradigm of pastoral care and promises to be a significant resource in generating hope and growth in love for both pastoral caregiver and receiver.” —Angella Son, Associate Professor, Drew University, Madison, NJ "Pastoral theologian Scheib describes a narrative, ecclesial, and theological approach for listening to people’s life stories in such a way as to engender spiritual formation and growth in love. Scheib clarifies the connections between caring conversations and Christian theology. Clear and accessible prose as well as helpful exercises and discussion starters make this a fine teaching text." -The Christian Century, Sept. 29, 2016.