African-American Pastoral Care

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding resource
Review: Edward Wimberly should be commended for writing such a powerful book in a few words. The book is short enough to read in just a few settings. This book is very helpful for the African American pastor because it sheds insight on how pastoral care is carried out in the black church. Wimberly addresses the various stages in life--birth, adolescence, young adulthood, middle adulthood, and older adulthood that has it peculiar problems. Moreover, I ejoyed his insight into the art of story telling. He suggests that people sometimes struggle because they feel they are all alone in what they are facing. By telling stories from the Bible and from experince the parishioner can find themselves in a place that assures them they are not alone. Just as God worked in the lives of the saints in the Bible, He is willing to work in our lives as well. Finally, Wimberly suggested encouraging people facing difficulties to wait until God is through working in them instead of throwing in the towel. God's plan is not always understood initially but He can be trusted to work for our good. Excellent book!