"This book will be a vital resource for anyone engaged in pastoral care of for counsellors working with people in pastoral care roles, whether as therapists or, increasingly, in pastoral supervision. (...) Kate Lichtfield, as Counsellor to the Diocese of Norwich, is ideally placed to undertake this task and brings to it her experience with many clergy, lay ministers and their families. (...) The book addresses almost every key area for good pastoral care and where things go wrong in ministry -often with dreadful consequences for all concerned. Lichtfield is profoundly realistic about the processes that lead to broken boundaries, abuses of power and consequent disaster. (...) There is much wisdom in this book and many fruitful questions, whether for those new to ministry or seasoned by years of experience. I will be recommending it strongly to colleagues, supervisees and continuing to draw on it myself."
'Although all readers at some point in their ministry are likely to be engaged to a greater or lesser degree in pastoral care, this book is intended for those, chiefly clergy, for whom a pastoral ministry is an integral part of their work. It is full of wise and practical insights into the complexities and pressure of pastoral care, covering such issues as confidentiality and trust, loss and bereavement, authority and vulnerability. It centres especially on the stress upon those exercising this ministry and would be valuable to all those apt to overlook the emotional strain placed upon our ordained colleagues. Beginning life as a booklet offering practical advice for local clergy, it has been developed into what amounts to a textbook of good practice which would be valuabe reference for sharing in a ministry team.'
