Religious social and pastoral thought and activity Books

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Book SynopsisARE YOU WONDERING HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN TODAY’S CULTURE THAT WILL BENEFIT FUTURE GENERATIONS? Former Governor Mike Huckabee shares how to live a life that will continue to be felt by those who carry your legacy forward. Whether in politics, family, education, or business, what matters most is leaving a legacy for future generations. Rare, Medium or Done Well emphasizes the importance of understanding where we’ve been, where we are now, and how both determine where we’re going. Mike asserts, “A person who has no standard to live by other than the culture of the moment is a person whose principles might as well come from the latest public opinion polls.”

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Book SynopsisIt is often claimed that local churches provide a significant proportion of social care today. This important new study considers the reality of the church's involvement to offer compelling and concrete recommendations for the future. It proposes a transformational model of welfare that breaks free from the default approach of ‘eradicating the five giant evils – squalor, ignorance, want, idleness, and disease’. Instead the authors focus on fostering five assets – relationship, creativity, partnership, compassion, and joy – and empowering people to regain control of their lives. With bold and innovative practical recommendations for churches, civil society and public policy, and compelling theological reflection on welfare and poverty, this is essential reading for anyone interested in the church's contribution to society.

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Book SynopsisTears are a common experience we rarely discuss, and then only in relation to pain and loss. David Runcorn draws upon a long Christian tradition of seeing tears as a gift to explore their deeper meaning and purpose, their place in human life and their significance for prayer and spirituality. In the early centuries of the church tears were regarded as an extension of baptism or a gift of the Spirit. They were integral to prayer and a vital part of human integration and maturing. Jesus said that those who mourn were 'blessed'. The Language of Tears explores how tears are a natural and important way of processing loss, uncertainty and anxiety, drawing upon theology, scripture, psychology and biology. This accessible and sensitive guide is for all engaged in spiritual direction, counselling or pastoral care.Trade ReviewA rich, moving, thought-provoking treasure of a book. Read this and you'll never utter the words 'don't cry' again. -- Paula Gooder'I know that I shall be buying multiple copies... Runcorn has written a book that gives us permission to weep. To weep and to sing, and to dance.' -- Fr Richard Peers'Slim and easily readable, this book has an enormous depth.' -- The Living Church

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Book SynopsisBringing together original work from some of the world's leading specialists in the field, this new volume offers wide-ranging and enlightening new perspectives on the role of love, sex and gender in a variety of different faiths. Among the issues covered are gender politics, sexual symbolism and religious ecstasy, and their role in religions as diverse as Christianity and Tibetan Buddhism. Featuring essays by such distinguished thinkers as Arvind Sharma, Karen Lebacqz, Julius Lipner, Karen Jo Torjesen and Carter Heyward, this new collection combines classic sources of text and tradition with innovative ideas and modes of thought, creating a detailed but accessible study. This clear and concise book will challenge the reader to think creatively about both past and present concepts of sexuality, relationships and the role of women in the world faiths. It should be of interest to students, scholars and the interested general reader alike.

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Book SynopsisThis wide-ranging collection of prayers, readings and alternative service outlines provides a complete liturgical and pastoral resource for a time when intensive personal support is needed. Here are forms of words for every stage in the process that follows a death, from the immediate aftermath to conducting a memorial service. Simple prayers and a choice of readings from scripture, poetry, literature and popular culture provide words when our own vocabularies fail. Aimed at clergy of all denominations, readers and others who are authorised to conduct funerals, pastoral and care professionals and theological students, this is a resource for the funerals of children, parents, death after an accident or in hospital, the death of someone with Alzheimer's and many more. The prayers and blessings include those for when someone has just died, for before a funeral and returning home afterwards whilst the book also contains complete funeral and memorial service outlines.Trade Review'In Sure and Certain Hope shows Paul P.J.Sheppy as a minister with a real understanding of the needs of the vereaved. (...) His comment on the importance of preaching at funerals shows where his heart is: 'If we do not offer Christ's answer to the questioner, in what sense has the funeral been a Christian one?' -- Trevor Lloyd * Praxis News of Worship *

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Book SynopsisTend My Flock is a companion and guide for ordained and lay ministers seeking to live their pastoral ministry well, amid all the complexities and pressures of contemporary society. Much pastoral care is exercised with integrity and sensitivity and yet there are many potential hazards. "Tend My Flock" addresses issues which often remain unspoken, inviting dialogue, reflection, honest self-examination and the courage to share struggles and dilemmas with colleagues, friends in ministry and family members. It offers practical, tried and tested guidance in key areas including: confidentiality and trust; power, authority and vulnerability; setting and maintaining boundaries; safeguarding health and well-being; maintaining positive personal relationships; and, transition, loss and bereavement.Trade Review"This book will be a vital resource for anyone engaged in pastoral care of for counsellors working with people in pastoral care roles, whether as therapists or, increasingly, in pastoral supervision. (...) Kate Lichtfield, as Counsellor to the Diocese of Norwich, is ideally placed to undertake this task and brings to it her experience with many clergy, lay ministers and their families. (...) The book addresses almost every key area for good pastoral care and where things go wrong in ministry -often with dreadful consequences for all concerned. Lichtfield is profoundly realistic about the processes that lead to broken boundaries, abuses of power and consequent disaster. (...) There is much wisdom in this book and many fruitful questions, whether for those new to ministry or seasoned by years of experience. I will be recommending it strongly to colleagues, supervisees and continuing to draw on it myself." -- Chris Jenkins'Although all readers at some point in their ministry are likely to be engaged to a greater or lesser degree in pastoral care, this book is intended for those, chiefly clergy, for whom a pastoral ministry is an integral part of their work. It is full of wise and practical insights into the complexities and pressure of pastoral care, covering such issues as confidentiality and trust, loss and bereavement, authority and vulnerability. It centres especially on the stress upon those exercising this ministry and would be valuable to all those apt to overlook the emotional strain placed upon our ordained colleagues. Beginning life as a booklet offering practical advice for local clergy, it has been developed into what amounts to a textbook of good practice which would be valuabe reference for sharing in a ministry team.' -- Robert Bevan * The Reader *

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Book SynopsisAt some point, everyone will experience bereavement. Even when a death is expected, it can be a bewildering and disorientating time and its intensity increases if a death is sudden or if there are tragic circumstances. The word 'quarantine' derives from an ancient Italian practice of giving newly bereaved people extra special attention and care during the first forty days following a death. Here is contemporary reworking of that idea - readings and reflections for forty days cover a wide range of commonly felt emotions and reactions, and offer support and understanding. A shorter second section gives readings for special days - birthdays, anniversary etc and a third section offers a selection of brief prayers.

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Book SynopsisBased upon conversations recorded by a French journalist, this book mixes autobiographical reflections with a critique of the contemporary state of the Middle East. It tells the stories of many individuals working for peace and of his own work, especially with children and students of the school and college he has founded. Fr Elias Chacour, author of the bestselling books Blood Brothers and We Belong to the Land, is the Archbishop of Galilee. Seeing the lack of educational opportunities for Palestinian youth, he created a school open to all local children which opened in the early 1980s. The Mar Elias Educational Institution and now caters for 4,500 students, representing all major religions and ethnicities in Israel.

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