Lawrence D. Reimer and James T. Wagner, The Hospital Handbook: A Practical Guide to Hospital Visitation. Morehouse Press, 1988. Referenced in: Pastoral Care LifeandLeadership.com Summary The authors describe today’s hospitals and health care facilities, and how the minister may find entry as a respected team member to facilitate the spiritual dimension of healing. They place
Katie Maxwell, Bedside Manners: A Practical Guide to visiting the Ill. Baker Books, 2005. Referenced in: Pastoral Care LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is a very useful volume on how to be and not be, what to do and not do, and what to say and not say in visiting hospitals, nursing homes, shut-ins, children, terminally ill,
Neville H. Kirkwood, Pastoral Care in Hospitals. Second edition. Morehouse Press, 2005. Referenced in: Pastoral Care LifeandLeadership.com Summary Kirkwood draws on over twenty years of experience as a minister and hospital chaplain. It is probably the most comprehensive of the few books specific to helping the sick in hospitals, hostels, and homes. Full of exercises
Michael L. Kirkindoll, The Hospital Visit: A Pastor’s Guide. Abingdon, 2001. Referenced in: Pastoral Care LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is a sensitive and helpful guide for the beginning minister adjusting to the hospital soul-care role. He describes the pastoral role as Christ relating to the patient, as the Holy Spirit (friend, comforter, conficant) in relating to
Perry H. Biddle, A Hospital Visitation Manual. Eerdmans, 1994. Referenced in: Pastoral Care LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is the long-recognized as the classic on this subject, though perhaps surpassed today by newer works. From the Publisher A field manual for giving pastoral care to the sick. In addition to general hospital visitation information, special sections describe
Arthur H. Becker, The Compassionate Visitor: Resources for Ministering to People Who Are Ill. Augsburg Fortress, 1985. Referenced in: Pastoral Care LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is an excellent guide for ministers and others within the church who provide spiritual care for the hospitalized. It includes excellent chapters on the experience of illness, listening, visiting, use of
Nancy J. Gorsuch, Pastoral Visitation: Creative Pastoral Care and Counseling Series. Fortress Press, 1999. Referenced in: Pastoral Care LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is part of the respected Creative Pastoral Care and Counseling Series. Chapter 2 offers a theology of visitation that builds upon three metaphors: courageous shepherd, wounded healer (cf. Nouwen), and the wise fool (fairly
