Care Ministry

For Pope Francis, the appreciation of our everyday lives is a spiritual undertaking. Joy is a divine attribute, and creating joy around us an essential part of faith. Every homily and speech in this audiobook delivers, in warm, engaging language, a key lesson, instructing listeners on finding love and happiness in a chaotic world. Along the way, Pope Francis discusses the sanctity of women's rights, talks about how the love of sports can bring out our best qualities, and explains why fighting discrimination is the essence of loving thy neighbor.

In the Encyclical on Climate Change and Inequality, the beloved pope exhorts the world to combat environmental degradation and its impact on the poor. In a stirring, clarion call that is not merely aimed at Catholic listeners but rather at a wide, lay audience, the pope cites the overwhelming scientific evidence of climate change and does not hesitate to detail how it is the result of a historic level of unequal distribution of wealth.

A curious thing happens when Jesus comes into his ministry: He touches. Jesus touches the sick and the outcast, the bleeding and the unclean. What could it mean for families, singles, marriages, churches, communities, and the world to have healthy, pure, faithful, ministering touch? Somewhere in the mess of our assumptions and fears about touch, there is something beautiful and good and God-given. As Jesus can show us, there is ministry in touching.

New Frontiers is not only a brand new manuscript but it also offers a new approach to what many of us call nursing home ministry. Today even the term; “nursing home” is no longer adequate to describe the multiple types of long term care that are becoming the new normal. Wherever God is calling you and me; whether to special needs ministry; outreach to an assisted living community or bringing music to a memory care unit; we are all involved in long term care ministry. New Frontiers is about learning how together, with God’s help, we can make a difference in some one’s life today!

Are we hapless victims of life's whims? Are we driven along by some blind and impersonal force? A thousand times, "No!" says pastor and author Alistair Begg. Instead, Begg says we are the objects of God's providential care. We reside under his guiding and protecting hand. In this richly textured study of Joseph's life, listeners will discover God at work shaping Joseph's circumstances so that he can ultimately redeem and reconcile his family. And they'll see the hand of God in their own lives, lovingly guiding them through their disappointments and struggles to a place of peace.

You really want to do what is right. But sometimes life turns south. You're anxious, you're busy, you're cautious because you've been hurt before--or maybe you're all of the above. But pastor and New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado is here to share some good news: in the Bible and in the circumstances of your life, God whispers your name lovingly, tenderly, patiently, and persistently.

Are you ready to lead with wisdom, compassion, and the heart of Christ? The Heart of a Shepherd is your ultimate guide to transforming your leadership and shepherding with purpose, power, and precision. Packed with timeless biblical wisdom and actionable strategies, this book equips you to care for your flock and leave an indelible mark on the lives you touch. In a world desperate for godly leadership, The Heart of a Shepherd stands as a beacon for pastors, ministry leaders, and anyone called to guide others spiritually. Drawing deeply from Scripture and real-world insights, this book ...

Faith in Caregiving: Building a Compassionate Congregation By Diane Carbo, RN In a world where caregivers face overwhelming demands and families struggle to support aging or chronically ill loved ones, Faith in Caregiving offers a beacon of hope—and practical solutions. This empowering guide invites churches, community leaders, and volunteers to build sustainable, faith-driven caregiving ministries that transform lives. Through Diane Carbo’s innovative Care Team Partner (CTP) model, you’ll discover how to create a volunteer support system that eases caregiver burnout and brings ...

Are you tired of hearing people dismiss the church as an irrelevant relic? (Do you secretly wonder if they are right?) Don Everts explores an exciting reality that is revealed in Scripture, shown throughout history, and confirmed in the latest research: When Christians pursue the common good of the neighborhood, the world stands up and notices.

Featuring insights from the perspective of both a pastor and his wife—The Pastor's Family identifies the complicated burdens and expectations ministry brings to the life of a family. Brian and Cara Croft identify the unique challenges that pastors face as husbands and fathers. They also discuss the difficulties and joys of being a pastor's wife and offer practical advice on raising children in a ministry family.

Oftentimes caregivers, friends, and family are unsure of what to say and what to do to comfort the sick and the dying. Midwife for Souls provides specific Catholic insight and highlights the power of prayer as a guide. This best-selling book has been revised to include a new section of inspiring stories and lessons learned in hospice ministry.

Stop caring what others think. Stressing over other people's opinions of you? You are not alone. Many of us struggle with worrying about what others think. Life-changing transformation cannot take place unless we choose to stop worrying about what other people think of us.

In CinderGirl, Christina tells her piercing and poignant story of leaving behind homelessness to become Ms. California and the founder of a nonprofit organization that provides advocacy for foster-care children.

Walking With Lambs is a book about my friends - friends who find themselves as vulnerable as lambs and often forgotten because of age or disability. These have sometimes been herded into a world of long-term care, where their day-to-day life is beyond their control and isolated. Though outwardly their lives are very different from ours, on the inside, my friends are just like the rest of us. If you take the time to read their stories you just might decide to visit their pasture and help them to connect with the rest of God's flock and the very best shepherd of all: Jesus Christ!

As director of the world's largest abortion clinic and the nation's most prominent abortionist, Dr. Bernard Nathanson presided over 60,000 abortions. As co-founder of the National Abortion Rights Action League, he helped make abortion legal. Then, in a conversion that made headkines and astonished both sides of the abortion debate, he renounced his profession to become a pro-life advocate. But Dr. Nathanson's journey was not over.

Loss hurts. It's tough to go through, and painful to watch. Do you know someone who's grieving and wish you could help? Are you the one grieving and wonder if what you're going through is normal? Do you wish those around you understood you better? This book has answers. This practical and easy-to-listen-to book provides the answers you need to make a difference - in your own life and in the lives of others. Best-selling author, hospice chaplain, and grief specialist Gary Roe gives you a look at the grieving heart - the thoughts, emotions, and struggles within.

Con 37 años y una figura que no se ajusta a los cánones de belleza, Christine tiene pocas esperanzas de encontrar al hombre con quien compartir su futuro. Lo que no sabe es que Dios ha vuelto a la tierra para entregarle unas simples reglas de vida acordes con nuestro tiempo, que harán de ella una mujer distinta y libre.

With these practices, you’ll become increasingly comfortable and confident in working through your inner experiences in real time. Instead of burning out, you can follow the lead of Jesus toward a sustainable, fulfilling life.

Reflections of Hope is a 50 day devotional written for the long term care community. Having had the wonderful privilege of serving as a nursing home chaplain, I have learned much about hope from the residents, staff and families. If long term care has touched your life this book is written for you.

To be pastoral is to create a sacred space and time for the other person who needs support. The caregiver is fully present, listening critically and attentively to locate the "pastoral pillars" on the way for continued support. In order to provide effective pastoral care ministry and also be able to nail down and address the core issues bothering an individual, the caregiver should look beyond the ordinary and superficial, and companion into the deep ("the shadow") with the counselee, mentee, directee, client, patient, and the like.