Karen Lampe leads care ministry and training at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. Her book on The Caring Congregation is a manual for congregational care ministries. She addresses prayer, creating a practical care plan, establishing boundaries, learning to listen, visitation etiquette, and support for persons experiencing their final days of life. This book would be a good fit for congregations that want to strengthen how they organize care ministries. The author provides specific ideas about use of volunteers, managing training, and so forth. Many congregations have benefited from programs like the Stephen Ministry. This book is an alternative. It is applicable to medium sized to larger congregations of various worldviews. Though it includes theological reflection, the book’s strength is in the way it suggests specific, yet adaptable ways to construct a care ministry.

Curated by Tim Shapiro