Called into Crisis
Overview
You know it’s coming.
The call. The alarming call. Something is dreadfully wrong, and you’re called to do something to help.
No time to hesitate. No time to hand off the responsibility to someone else. Time only to pray and go. And be God’s stand-in in time of crisis. Exactly when the ugliest, harshest blows fall, the call goes out for a pastor. Probably you.
You’ve been there before. You know you’ll be there again when the newborn dies. You’ll be summoned when the blood had barely dried following a suicide. Your phone will ring when the marriage bond is stretched taut.
You’ll be there, but will you be able to redeem the crisis?
This book contains the insights and wisdom of pastors and counselors who have answered the call into crisis. They’ve been there many times. And they know what to do. And when. And how. Here’s their best counsel on the nine problems pastors identified as the most difficult and prevalent calls into crisis.
This is the eighteenth volume of THE LEADERSHIP LIBRARY, a continuing series from LEADERSHIP, the practical journal for church leaders published by Christianity Today, Inc. Others in the series include: Well-Intentioned Dragons, Learning to Lead and The Contemplative Pastor.
More than a collection of theory, THE LEADERSHIP LIBRARY provides practical, proven ways to handle the most difficult aspects of Christian leadership.
Top Highlights
“Separation is not intended to be a prelude to divorce, but rather a means toward eventual reconciliation.” (Page 51)
“At the heart of any crisis, as I learned vividly those months, is someone who has lost control.” (Page 23)
“First, help the person bring to the light what has been hidden.” (Page 64)
“The trick is to become involved in a therapeutic way, one that neither tries to take the crisis from the counselee nor remains detached and aloof from the very present human need.” (Page 27)
“Egan’s scheme divides counseling into three stages—problem definition, goal development, and action—each of which he further divides into three steps.” (Page 31)
Product Details
- Title: Called into Crisis
- Author: James D. Berkley
- Publisher: Christianity Today; Word Books
- Publication Date: 1989
Reviews
1 rating
Kenute P. Curry
10/21/2015
This book by James D. Berkley is just so awesome. It helped me understand Pastoral Care a lot better, and also brought to my understanding how each one of us as a believer in Christ can be "Called Into Crisis." It shows us what a "Crisis" is, and then how to "Handle A Crisis." It lists nine Crisis that each one of us can be called into. They are " Marital Conflict and Divorce, Sexual Misconduct, Domestic Violence and Abuse, Homosexuality, Major Illnesses and Injuries, Death of a Child, Death of a Spouse, Suicide. Alcohol and Drug Problems." The last chapter in the book is " Beyond Crisis." Needless to say, I shed tears while reading this book as it really stirred my emotions as to try and understand a persons needs in sometimes helpless and hopeless situations that they have to endure in this life. Being a former homosexual, delivered and set free by the power of Jesus Christ, I really related and identified with the chapter on Homosexuality. As I have stated already, any one of us can be called into a crisis. We need to know what to do, the advice to give, and how to react to these situations and circumstances with the love and compassion of Jesus Christ. This book provides those answers. I would recommend that everyone read this book. We all need to.
