Companions in Hope: The Art of Christian Caring

by Thomas E. Rodgerson and Robert J. Wicks

Book Overview

Written by two counselors, this practical book shows everyday people how to reach out, listen with intention and offer hope when others reveal their personal problems. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 080913781X
• ISBN13: 9780809137817
• Release Date: June 1998
• Publisher: Paulist Press
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Great for teaching

This book is a great asset for teaching both at a graduate course in pastoral counselling and in a parish setting for lay care-givers. It gets to the point and offers people a clear way they can be there for each other in helpful manner without being professional counsellors. I am so happy to see that this title has been resurrected. Wicks is the best!

A Great Resource for Caregivers!

I was fortunate to hear Thomas Rodgerson give a talk at an interfaith training course on caregiving. I was so moved and inspired by his comments that I ran right out and bought this book, which expands on many of the things he said during his talk. Being a natural rescuer type, I have always had a tendency to reach out to hurting people wherever I meet them, and this book has provided me with some invaluable tools in doing so. I've turned to it again and again as a reference during my dealings with people in crisis or just people who need someone to talk to. A good subtitle for this book could be, "How to Listen," and I wish it could be required reading for caregivers of all types. It is especially useful in being of help to people who are depressed, and I have used the things I learned from the book in depression forums on the Web with very good results. The best thing I got from reading this book is an understanding of how to get out of the way and let God work through me in other peoples' lives. Now I don't feel so much like I need to "fix" anyone or say just the right thing or take responsibility for saving someone. The book is written from a Christian perspective, but the methods described in this book would work for anyone. Read this book along with Henry Nouwen's "Wounded Healer" for indispensable help if you find yourself in a position of caring for those who hurt (and don't we all end up in that position at some point in our lives?)