Author: Thomas C. Oden
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco; 1st ed edition (May 1, 1983)
Language: English
ISBN: 0060663537

Book Content:

Introduction: What is Pastoral Theology?

I. Becoming a Minister
The Discovery of Pastoral Identity
The Call to Ministry
The Meaning of Ordination
Women in the Pastoral Office

II. The Pastoral Office
Shepherding as Pivotal Analogy
The Offices and Gifts of Ministry

III. What Clergy Do and Why
The Pastor of the Worshipping Community
The Ministry of Eucharist and Baptism
The Ministry of Word Through Preaching
The Teaching Elder
Equipping the Laity for Ministry

IV. Pastoral Counsel
Pastoral Visitation
The Care of Souls
The Work of the Holy Spirit in Comfort, Admonition and Discipline

Pastoral Theology Essentials of Ministry is a “must have” resource for all persons contemplating entering the ministry, those who want to understand the role of pastors more clearly, and those ministers who want to review their role in the light of a systematic reflection on the pastoral office in general.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even more than I did his Agenda for Theology. I think he presented his theory of ordained ministry, including a definition of its functions and duties underlying theological principles method, in a succinct and easily understood manner. The whole book is a treasure of resouces for all desiring to increase understanding of this office and what it means to be a pastor. My comments however, are limited to the three chapters that stand out most for me: Women in the Pastoral Office, The Care of Souls and Pastoral Care of the Dying.

Women in ministry will find Oden’s favorable position on women performing in pastoral capacities quite enlightening, affirming and Biblically sound. He makes some significant observations that certainly challenge the most intransigent opposition. Most of the controversial discussions over the legitimacy of women in the pastoral ministry arise because of hermeneutical differences. In Pastoral Theology, Oden presents his own hermeneutics as well as the hermeneutics of those who object to women’s ordination to the pastoral ministry. He argues in support of women on the basis of the larger Biblical picture; he looks for the general principles found inherent in the flow of Scriptures. He also takes into account the historical and cultural dynamics within which the inspired writer wrote. Implicit in Oden’s comments is the notion that the issue of women is not simply or merely academic. It lies at the very heart of our struggle to stand together as brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.

Oden brilliantly distinguishes pastoral care of souls from other pastoral functions by illuminating its primary focus on individual need and the personal character of the pastor’s involvement with the parishioner. His approach is holistic and deeply human.

Though somewhat implied, I wish Oden emphasized more explicitly the need for pastors to have adequate education and psychological qualifications for the task of caring for souls. Certainly with the multi-problematic concerns of people today, with the mental anomalies that grip them tenaciously, does it not seem appropriate that pastors should be intellectually suited and academically prepared for her/his work? The pastor is a “physician of the soul” and just as the physicians today must know far more and practice more expertly to meet people’s health need, so likewise, will the physician of the soul.

Finally, Oden’s treatment of and recommendation for pastoral care of the dying is extremely informative. He delineates pastoral responsibilities and offers helpful guidelines for counseling with the dying and relating to hospital staff. Any reader who has not thought through the importance of the funeral would do well to study these sections intently for there is some very convincing evidence presented.

This book is a classic and should be in every pastor’s personal library. Even though, as with most books, there are specific areas where we are bound to disagree, overall, the information and ideas presented is worth its weight in gold.

Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, veteran social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach which can be reviewed on her site. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, is expected to be available soon.

You are welcome to visit AMEN Ministries: Your Soul’s Service Station for spiritual refreshing, soul edification, browse our newly expanded mini shopping mall or review our recommended books you may want to add to your personal library.

Blessings to all!

Oh! God? Is That You? I Have A Question
By George B. Wallace
Outskirts Press (2005)
Reviewed by Rhiannon Kelly Fionn for Reader Views (1/6)

In “Oh! God? Is That You? I Have A Question.”, George B. Wallace encourages his readers to look beyond the “truths” organized religion, family, and society have fed us and, instead, reach for our own truths with the aid of questions and logic. This book represents Mr. Wallace’s personal image of God. He is endearingly wise enough, however, to include a disclaimer stating that he could very possibly have it all wrong. Simultaneously he reminds us how important it is to seek our own answers versus blindly and naively accepting any homogenized, censored, revised details presented to us as the one path to God.

Conversational with an occasional sarcastic or silly jab, Mr. Wallace explains key points with vivid, charismatic description. For instance, in reference to a soul being banished to Hell he writes, “Burned souls would give God indigestion.” Or when discussing the life and times of Jesus he says, “Jesus’ life was not about magic, or mumbo jumbo; it was about love, but it is likely that later writers added a lot of decoration to the icing on the cake”.

As someone who enjoys the study of various religions and spiritual paths, I found myself dog-earing pages while making mental lists of people to steer toward this title. I am impressed by Mr. Wallace’s purposeful and pointed examination of God taking his readers beyond the obvious so that we might better connect to and clarify the role of God, and his (or her) motivations, in our lives and world.

This book is for all thinking souls; a brilliant reminder to not only question authority but to also question the answers authority returns. This book may not be for the deeply indoctrinated for, I fear, their minds may well explode. If you prefer to wrap yourself in a cloak of groupthink and play follow and finance the leaderput this book down and go back to covering your eyes. On the other hand, if you enjoy asking “Why?” you will savor “Oh! God? Is That You? I Have A Question.”

Reviewed by Rhiannon Kelly Fionn for Reader Views
http://readerviews.com

Description:

Intense action and gripping suspense characterize the seemingly real story about tax evation, money-laundering, intrigue and murder in corporate world.

Book Description

The fast-paced story about tax evasion, money-laundering, fraud, intrigue, and murder takes the reader from the outskirts of Munich to the vibrant vitality of Manhattan, from the South African wilderness to Tokyo’s nightlife, from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong to the serenity of Alberobello in Italy. With the help of their American business partner Herbert Hinrich and his right hand, Joe Manner build up a small German watchmaker into a leader in its industry. Since their company has neither financial resources nor unique products, its astounding success is nothing but the result of the cunning and ruthlessness of its management team, the Wolf Pack. After Herbert Hinrich retires, Joe Manner’s colleagues go for his throat. Yet they are no match for his resourcefulness. The novel culminates in a surprising climax.–This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Visual appeal is the first step toward making a sale online.
People have a great ability to scan a web page quickly before
reading anything about a site. Its important to capitalize on
this aspect by providing a great visual stimulus. e-Book cover
art has come a long way in the past 5 years. High density
graphics can really make your product stand out, labeling it
with a high degree of professionalism and credibility.

Throughout the course of my research into the best design tools
I have uncovered that the saying “you get what you pay for”
holds all too true with cover design. Here is a review of my
results. It is broken down into two categories: (1)software,
and; (2) design services.

Software/Templates

If you perform a search on Google of e-book covers there really
is only a few software products that dominate the first few
pages of results.

(1) eCover Generator by Armand Morin The cost, $97, is about the
price of some personally designed single covers. It is the first
major player is eCover software. You can create 2d and 3d book
and software boxes, and recent upgrades enable you to create cd
and spiral notebook covers as well. No other software needed to
use eCover Generator. Armand is giving away 6 other e-books with
purchase. Very professional looking samples created with this
software. Windows 95/98/2000/ME/XP compatible.
http://www.ecovergenerator.com

(2) eBook Cover Central This is actually a mix between templates
and design service, not software. They will design your cover
starting at $39.95. This is not a bad price considering some
charge upwards of $100. You also receive three different images
sizes of your design. Template packages start at $9.95 for 25
pre-made templates. You only need to insert your text and any
other pictures that you wish to have on the cover. For $49.95
you can purchase a lifetime Gallery membership, entitling you to
over 540 images and templates. http://www.ebookcovercentral.com

(3) Cover Software Pro This software, priced at $97, is actually
a plugin for Adobe Photoshop. So, you need to have it (~$200) in
order to use the software to create your cover. It also comes
with a 40 minute instructional video on using the software to
design not only covers but entire web sites. The samples
displayed at the site look quite nice. Apart from having to
purchase Photoshop, this appears to be a good deal.
http://www.coversoftware.com

(4) Online Web Creations offering free covers without text. All
images are fixed. There is a link through their site to a
utility for adding text. Fairly limited but it is free. These
are not the highest quality images, but I suppose you get what
you pay for! http://www.onlinewebcreations.com/ebooks.html

Design Services

There are more companies offering services to design and produce
a one time cover than there are software products. I cannot tell
one from the other. All appear to produce quality products. I
also am not sure what they use as graphical software, but I
imagine it is something along the lines of Adobe Photoshop, 3D
Studio, Micrographix, or something similar.

(1) Killer Covers e-Book covers designed specifically for your
product at $117. They also design software boxes and e-zine
covers. I recommend taking a look at the samples. Very
professional results. http://www.killercovers.com

(2) eBook Cover Art This is not software but a service. $99 for
a professionally designed e-book cover. Nice graphics but the
site is rather unconvincing. http://www.ebook-cover-art.com

(3) Dynamite Covers Professionally designed covers starting at
$99.95. This company is owned by Simon Grabowski, CEO of
GetResponse autoresponder, Implix Corp. After processing your
payment online you are taken to a form which will let you choose
your style and provide more personal information such as title,
your name, business/product topic, etc. The guarantee a cover in
5 days or less from the date of order. Booklets, newsletters,
web-based membership cards, CD and video boxes, and tapes are
all available. Your finished cover is sent to you as an
optimized graphic by either e-mail or over the web.
http://www.dynamitecovers.com

(4) Perfect Covers Covers designed on an individual basis,
starting at $87. You can choose from e-book, report, or e-zine
cover, software box, report cover, membership card. In 3d you
can request multiple sizes. For a flat 2d image you receive the
graphic in three different sizes. You can receive add-ons such
as a matching web site header for an additional cost.
http://www.perfectcovers.com

(5) Max Covers e-Book covers and e-book mini-site graphics all
in a single package for $149.99. The package includes a 3d image
of your cover in three different sizes, matching mini-site
header, matching order button, a 2d cover image, a matching
footer image, and a matching background image for your site.
Site owned by and design work by Max Rylski. Two years
experience in site and graphic design. He offers a 72 hour
turnaround time on the first draft of your cover. One very nice
bonus is that he includes the cover design Photoshop files along
with the fonts used just in case you need to modify anything at
a later date. http://www.maxcovers.com

(6) Absolute Covers Will design e-book, cd, e-zine and magazine
covers as well as covers for reports and such. You must contact
them for a free quote. Offers anywhere from 48 hour to 5 days
for a finished product. You don’t have to pay until you are
satisfied with your product. Quite unheard of in this business.
You will also get a banner image, order button, a basic web site
template, a 2d image of your cover, and a matching icon.
http://www.absolutecovers.com/5/index.php

Unless you knew about the contents of a book prior to purchasing
it, would you buy a book with a torn, faded, or even blank
cover? I am betting you will say no. I know the title would need
to be very compelling to convince me to purchase. This is why
it’s important to have a professional design for your info
product cover. On the inside its content that matters. But to
stimulate a sense of credibility, you need to ‘tickle’ the
visual appeal.