"Near the end of Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms, there is a word
that has continued to stay with me. He said, 'The world breaks
everyone. Then some become strong at the broken places.' As a
pastor, I have seen people become strong at the broken places, and
I have seenpeople become broken up at the broken places of life. I
hope that the reader will learn how to assist those who are
suffering, and will, at the same time, learn something of great
value for living in these days." - Author Joe Pennel Unfortunately,
suffering is a part of living. None of us have escaped this fact.
Even so, it's difficult to know how to console someone going
through a broken place. In The Gift of Presence, Bishop Joe Pennel
offers practical help to give confidence and skill to clergy and
laity serving the broken hearted. With a central message on the
importance of simply being there, Pennelcombinespractical
"how-to's" with prayers, readings, and services. This small,
caseboundbook outlines real ways to help through planning visits,
writing notes, finding scriptures and prayers to read, avoiding
cliches, and thinking through the theology of God, humans, and
suffering. The Gift of Presence includes pertinent topics such as:
the ministry of presence, quietness, sincerity, and the art of
helping. "I found Bishop Pennel's book to be concisely written,
compassionately expressed, extremely helpful tool for anyone in
relationship with someone suffering. Because all of us will be in
such a relationship at some time in our life, [The Gift of
Presence]would be a great read in preparation for life's difficult
events." - Rev. Lori Lampert, Lead Associate Pastor, SchweitzerUMC,
Springfield, Missouri " [The Gift of Presence]is both practical and
contemplative encouraging the reader to remember why we are in
ministry but also to pay attention to how we engage in ministry. I
would definitely recommend this to any Stephen Minister program. We
also have a Lay Counseling program where it would be very helpful.
Frankly it would have been a wonderful book to receive before I
started making hospital visits as a new pastor. Bishop Pennel has
given us his gift of presence in the writing of this book. I
appreciated his willingness to share his own stories of ministry
and life as well as the knowledge he has gathered from several
years of practical experience." - Rev. Barbara Miner, Assoc.
Pastor, Floris UMC, Herndon, Virginia "I appreciated the sample
letters and prayers found in The Gift of Presence. The chapters on
'Seven Simple Do's and Don'ts' and 'Common Responses to Suffering'
will be helpful to Stephen Ministers." - Rev. Rick Plain, Minister
of Pastoral Care, Los Altos UMC, Los Altos, California"
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