Description
Pastoral care often takes clergy and other ministers into the depths of human life and frequently to the edge of society. As a chaplain in prisons and hospices as well as a priest, Rosie Deedes has encountered death and dying on many occasions. In this reflective and practical book, she reflects on the nature of pastoral care, particularly in situations that take ministers to the edge of institutions and of society. The book will help those who engage in ministry to understand what is pastoral care; what are the key features and qualities of those who provide it; and how those who offer it can remain resilient.
The book tackles some of the taboo subjects around death and dying and shows listening to those we encounter as well as reflection on Jesus' own death and dying can enable good pastoral care to take place. She shows how chaplaincy as a ministry on the edge is a vital part of the life and work of the Church in the twenty-first century and how chaplains can offer insights into the ministry of pastoral care that enable ministers to engage more effectively in this vital aspect of their work.