William V. Arnold

Richard L. Morgan has produced a welcome resource for those of us who have been divorced and felt we were beyond the pale of the Christian community. It is true that Jesus speaks against divorce, but it is also true that some New Testament scholars believe he was speaking to protect the rights of the oppressed under ancient law -- the oppressed being women. On the other hand, divorce is a painful experience that impacts over half of those who married. It cannot be ignored by religious leaders (some of whom themselves may be divorced). If we believe in acknowledging sin without casting the sinner out, we need to find ways of healing in churches. I always reminded myself in giving sermons that if national statistics were right, half of my listeners had been impacted by divorce. -- Rev. Dr. John C. Morgan, minister, teacher, and author of 'Awakening the Soul'. Richard Lyon Morgan is a retired Presbyterian minister and pastoral counselor, now living at Redstone Highlands, North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. In addition to his doctorate in church history, he has a master's degree in counseling from Wake Forest University. A former pastoral counselor with School of Pastoral Care, he has led divorce support groups and counseled many persons, yound and old, going through the process of divorce. Dr. Morgan is divorced and married again with ten grandchildren.

This excellent book offers help to pastors and other caring Christians who must act as "triage officers" on the front lines of congregational and community life and who believe in and want to explore the importance of sexual issues in ministry. William Arnold believes that our sexuality is a defining element for understanding who we are and who God is. For a pastor to work with people in a helpful and redemptive manner, this powerful force must be faced with courage and care. However, the pastor must be aware that attempts to care can be damaging if there is not an openness to learning more about the multiple forces at work in our sexuality. The pastor's awareness must be physiological, psychological, and theological. William Arnold stresses self-awareness as the key to dealing with sexual issues and advises the pastor not to rely strictly on intellectual information.

This problem-and-solution book looks at the positive values of solitude as well as the negative problems of loneliness. Integrating religious and psychological perspectives and a variety of personal experiences, this resource explores many of the factors that shape the ways we handle being alone.

William V. Arnold and Margaret Anne Fohl describe Christian caring as a unique form of helping that finds special expression in the church. Daily, Christians have opportunities to extend care, whether it is to a bereaved colleague or a sick friend. In simple, clear language, the authors describe how important it is that everyday women and men share in the ministry of caring and illustrate that this ministry involves skills that can be learned.

Valuable for both seminarians and practicing clergy, this basic work integrates theology and pastoral care in a practical and useful way. Citing actual experiences, with questions for personal reflection, this much-needed study brings about a new awareness of the ministry of pastoral care.