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 judgment in order to hear the hurting and offer guidance, reconciliation,
healing, sustaining presence, and empowerment to those in need. This book will
outline the quintessential elements pastors need to wisely minister in today's
context by discussing four major kinds of lostness: grief, illness, abuse, and
family challenges. 

The purpose of the Abingdon
Essential
Guides is to fulfill the need for brief, substantive, yet
highly accessible introductions to the core disciples in biblical, theological, and
religious studies. Drawing on the best in current scholarship, written with the need
of students foremost in mind, addressed to learners in a number of contexts,
Essential Guides will be the first choice of those who wish to
acquaint themselves or their students with the broad scope of issues, perspectives,
and subject matters within biblical and religious studies.