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
Charles W. Taylor, The Skilled Pastor. Augsburg Fortress, 1991. Referenced in: Pastoral Care From the Publisher The Skilled Pastor is a creative and practical training book that details the specific skills necessary for sound pastoral guidance in various situations. The author integrates theological reflection with practice, while incorporating religious resources with counseling technique. About the
David K. Switzer, Pastoral Care Emergencies. Augsburg Fortress, 2000. Referenced in: Pastoral Care From the Publisher David K. Switzer presents a clear, illustrative, practical manual for pastoral caregivers that covers the entire range of pastoral care emergencies typically faced by clergy, pastoral counselors, and lay caregivers such as Stephen Ministers and Befrienders. The chapters deal
John Patton, Pastoral Care: An Essential Guide Abingdon, 2005. Referenced in: Pastoral Care From the Publisher The essentials of pastoral care involve the pastor’s distinctive task of caring for those who are estranged—the lost sheep. Taken from the biblical image of the shepherd, the pastor by virtue of his or her professional calling cultivates wise
Jeane Stevenson-Moessner, A Primer in Pastoral Care: Creative Pastoral Care and Counseling Series – Fortress Press, 2005. Referenced in: Pastoral Care LifeandLeadership.com Summary This volume is part of the respected Creative Pastoral Care and Counseling Series, and is intended for the person who is new to pastoral caregiving. It discusses what can be expected in
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
John Killinger, The Tender Shepherd. Abingdon, 1985. Referenced in: Pastoral Care LifeandLeadership.com Summary An older volume, but still one of the most practical texts in helping ministers become a pastoral presence in their congregations. If you have known of ministers who send letters to church members on their birthdays or baptismal anniversaries, or to widows
