GROWING A CARING CHURCH
Practical guidelines for pastoral care
By Wendy Billington
Bible Reading Fellowship
112 pages. £6.99
ISBN 978-1-84101-799-0
Wendy Billington’s concern is that small groups should be the focus of pastoral care within the local church.
The burden of the book is to show how we can pastor one another within these small groups and as part of a larger fellowship. That means recognising our responsibility, listening to one another (really listening, that is), and then responding as different crises and situations arise. Leaders of small groups are primarily in mind here, although any conscientious group member would benefit.
The argument proceeds from experience and enthusiasm. Wendy Billington has personally faced more tough situations than most of us, but she has been able to draw on that experience in the pastoral care she has shown to others. It’s more of a ‘how I did it’ than a ‘how to’, but overall I felt this inspired rather than intimidated. It is helpful to have examples that illustrate how sensitivity and insight can make a difference. I hope that any church member will see that there is almost always some practical way that Christians can help and rally round.
Some might quibble with the statement that pastoral care is ultimately the responsibility of the small group leaders and their deputies. I also felt it could have been made clearer that Bible study lies at the heart of the small groups in mind.
This is a book to encourage small group leaders and members: that they can make a massive difference by providing practical care, and that they are to pray at all times when responding with help. It is about what pastoral care in small groups can look like, rather than analysing the alternatives.
Ed Moll,
minister of St. George’s Church, Wembdon, Bridgwater, Somerset
