Grief, Transition, and Loss: A Pastor's Practical Guide

by Wayne E. Oates

Publisher:

Fortress Press

, 1997

Overview

In this book written for counselors and pastors, Wayne Oates shares ideas from a lifetime of ministry on how to help people who have suffered loss—not only to death, but also to such life situations as separation, divorce, and job loss.

Contents

Top Highlights

“You can let the sobbing ones cry on your shoulder (while respecting personal boundaries).” (Page 16)

“1. Go to the scene of the crisis immediately, as soon as you have heard of” (Page 16)

“If they faint or show symptoms of illness, you can see that a physician or paramedic team (911) is called” (Page 16)

“Our task as pastors is to be, as he was, a person of sorrows acquainted with grief.” (Page 19)

“Sudden or traumatic grief comes with little or no warning.” (Page 21)

Praise for the Print Edition

Pastors are privileged to offer ministry in the context of bereavement grief, but in this book Oates takes us into life situations where the significance of grief, separation, and loss often go unnoticed—such as divorce and employment situations. These are particular grief experiences, and Oates opens the readers' eyes to expanded opportunities for caregiving. Attentive to the life cycle, Oates insightfully reminds us of separation and loss issues from birth to death. As always, Oates discovers nuggets of biblical wisdom and spiritual insight that ground pastoral care in the Christian tradition and connect caregiving with the faith of the parishioner.

—Andrew D. Lester, Brite Divinity School, Fort Worth, Texas

This is one of those rare resources that is comprehensive and profound while remaining simple and concise in its presentation. Oates directs his work to anticipate, and thus be more responsive to, the losses that occur daily in the life of a congregation. I would recommend this book for introductory courses in pastoral care and as a refresher for those who have been in ministry for many years.

—William V. Arnold, Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, Virginia

Product Details

• Title: Grief, Transition, and Loss: A Pastor's Practical Guide
• Author: Wayne E. Oates
• Publisher: Fortress Press
• Publication Date: 1997
• Pages: 96

About Wayne E. Oates

Wayne E. Oates is Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Author of numerous publications, he was for many years Professor of Psychology of Religion at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky.