Pastoral Care in Hospitals

by Neville A. Kirkwood

Book Overview

Hospital visitation is never easy. Bringing comfort and concern to the bedside of someone who is sick or dying is difficult for lay people and clergy alike. In this practical guide, based on many years of experience as a hospital chaplain, Neville Kirkwood shares his wisdom about the art of visitation. In non-technical language, Kirkwood helps lay and clergy visitors understand what actions, words, and practices may be helpful versus harmful. He guides readers through the temptations visitors face -- attempts to problem-solve, to talk too much, to be too personal or not personal enough -- and provides them with a theology of visitation that can guide their efforts to help patients and friends. A variety of exercises and a section of prayers for very specific circumstances one might encounter in the hospital make this a must-have resource for all who work with the sick and dying.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0819217905
• ISBN13: 9780819217905
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Church Publishing
• Length: 267 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.4" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Excellent

Comprehensive and easy to follow. Provides good solid guidance on conducting yourself as a chaplin or caregiver within the hospital setting. This book was recommended to me when I applied to be a colunteer chaplin at one of the local hospitals. It provides guidance on how to deal with people of all faiths and those who do not believe in any religion.

Information, experience, guidance, and inspiration

It has always been a special responsibility of clergy to offer comfort and concern to the bedside of the sick and the dying. Now in a newly revised and expanded second edition, Pastoral Care In Hospitals by author, lecturer, and hospital chaplain Neville Kirkwood shares his more than twenty years of experience, expertise and wisdom to assist clergy and trained lay pastoral workers (as well as ordinary lay people who simply want to visit their fellow-parishioners or family members) in making their visits and ministries more meaningful and enriching to the patients they attend. Readers will learn what to avoid (such as false heartiness and too much talking) and what to embrace (gentle candor and unobtrusive faith). Of special note are the variety of exercises and the section of prayers for specific circumstances. If you are charged with the responsibility of ministering to the ill and the dying in hospitals, hostels, or homes, then read what Hospital Chaplin Neville Kirkwood has offer by way of information, experience, guidance, and inspiration.

Best Hospital Ministry Book

As a new hospital chaplain I found this book extremely valuable. While there are only a few books specific to hospital ministry, this is probably the best introductory work. It covers a good variety of topics like the critical examination of self, proper use of prayer, patient's needs etc. I found the information quite useful. I have implemented some of the techniques in my ministry work. If you are looking for one book on hospital ministry this would be your best bet. I also recommend "The compassionate visitor" and 'The Hospital Visitation manual.