The Church’s Story
A History of Pastoral Care and Vision

Peter Lynch

An engaging overview of the two thousand year history of the Christian community, especially the Roman Catholic community, in its efforts to engage in pastoral care. This accessible, informative history approaches the important issue of pastoral care with a broad perspective on its many aspects: practical care for human suffering, the struggle against injustice, evangelizing the world’s peoples, burgeoning spiritualities, sacramental celebration, and the attempt to work through the divisions and diversities that can threaten to tear Christians apart. Author Peter Lynch also looks to the pastoral concerns that have risen to greater prominence in recent years: globalization, refugees, interreligious dialogue, religious fundamentalism, the environment, and the sexual abuse crisis. The book is an inspiring story of the past that keeps a compassionate eye on the future, emphasizing the church’s response to people’s everyday needs.

This could be used as a background text for people in lay ministry courses or for students studying pastoral theology and ministry within a theological degree. A useful textbook for any Church history course.

KEY FEATURES

• A popular style accessible to the general reader but supported by detailed references within the endnotes.
• A comprehensive index to guide research and reading.
• An exploration of the church’s pastoral care in many stages of history and in many situations.
• A chapter that pays particular attention to the developments in pastoral care in the twentieth century, addressing important practical concerns while placing the Church’s pastoral vision in a historical context.

Paperback / 336 pages / Dimensions: 6" x 9 1/2" / ISBN: 0819815756
Retail price: $15.95