Grief, Transition and Loss: A Pastor's Practical Guide(Creative Pastoral Care & Counseling S.)

In Grief, Transition, and Loss, author Wayne Oates calls Christian caregivers to the task of attending to people facing moments of emergency and crisis. Throughout the book Oates draws on his own experiences of loss, and his extensive work with grieving people to build a theological and biblical understanding of the ways in which people encounter challenging times. The book covers a variety of losses--illness, death, separation and divorce, and even a range of work related issues--with sensitivity and grace, and equips caregivers with the tools needed to respond in helpful and lifegiving ways.

Table of Contents:
Foreword by Howard W. Stone Acknowledgments 1. Caring at the Time of Emergencies 2. The Pastor: A Person of Sorrows, Acquainted with Grief 3. Grief and Separation in the Life Cycle 4. Grief and Separation in Divorce 5. Work-Related Grief and Separation 6. Grief and Separation in the Life of Faith in Jesus Christ Notes Further Reading

About the Author :
Wayne E. Oates was Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Author of numerous publications, he was for many years Professor of Psychology of Religion at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky.

Review :
"Pastors are privileged to offer ministry in the context of bereavement grief, but in this book Oates takes us into life situations where the significance of grief, separation, and loss often go unnoticed, such as divorce and employment situations. As always, Oates discovers nuggets of biblical wisdom and spiritual insight that ground pastoral care in the Christian tradition and connect caregiving with the faith of the parishioner." --Andrew D. Lester, Professor Emeritus of Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Counseling at Brite Divinity School "This is one of those rare resources that is comprehensive and profound while remaining simple and concise in its presentation. This book equips the reader to anticipate and thus be more responsive to the losses that occur daily in the life of a congregation. I would recommend this book for introductory courses in pastoral care and as a refresher for those who have been in ministry for many years." --William V. Arnold, professor emeritus, Union Presbyterian Seminary