The Church's Story - A History of Pastoral Care and Vision

Product Description

An engaging overview of the two thousand year history of the Christian community, especially the Roman Catholic community, in its efforts to engage in pastoral care. This accessible, informative history approaches the important issue of pastoral care with a broad perspective on its many aspects: practical care for human suffering, the struggle against injustice, evangelizing the world’s peoples, burgeoning spiritualities, sacramental celebration, and the attempt to work through the divisions and diversities that can threaten to tear Christians apart. Author Peter Lynch also looks to the pastoral concerns that have risen to greater prominence in recent years: globalization, refugees, interreligious dialogue, religious fundamentalism, the environment, and the sexual abuse crisis. The book is an inspiring story of the past that keeps a compassionate eye on the future, emphasizing the church’s response to people’s everyday needs.

This could be used as a background text for people in lay ministry courses or for students studying pastoral theology and ministry within a theological degree. A useful textbook for any Church history course.