An Introduction To Pastoral Care

An Introduction to Pastoral Care by Charles V. Gerkin is a paperback from Abingdon Press (1997) that presents a narrative‑hermeneutical approach to pastoral care and frames care as a central metaphor for life in the Christian community.

The book surveys the history, theory, and practice of pastoral care, critiques the predominance of psychotherapeutic paradigms, and emphasises the interplay of faith, culture, community, and individual well‑being. Paperback, 266 pages.

Pros:

• Comprehensive coverage of history, theory, and practice in pastoral care.
• Introduces a narrative‑hermeneutical paradigm as an alternative to psychotherapeutic dominance.
• Balances individual, communal, cultural, and faith‑based perspectives on care.
• Authored by an established pastoral theologian with academic credentials.

Cons:

• Published in 1997, so it does not address developments in pastoral care since that year.
• Mixed feedback: its theological and interpretive emphasis is praised for depth but may feel less prescriptive for readers seeking step‑by‑step clinical protocols.