Nursing keeps changing. The role of the nurse grew out of a Christian understanding of the human person as created in the image of God, and viewed the body as a living unity and the "temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor 6:19). Contemporary nursing, however, is increasingly characterized by a diminished understanding of personhood. The impact on patient care has proven confusing and discouraging to many nurses. In the newly revised and expanded Called to Care: A Christian Worldview for Nursing, Judith Allen Shelly and Arlene B. Miller define nursing for today based on a historically and theologically grounded understanding of the nurse's call: Nursing is a ministry of compassionate care for the whole person, in response to God's grace toward a sinful world, which aims to foster optimum health (shalom) and bring comfort in suffering and death for anyone in need. Called to Care asserts that nursing is a vocation, giving nurses a framework for understanding their mission and living out their calling: service to God through caring for others.

Nursing is a vocation: a calling from God to care for others. The role of the nurse originally grew out of a holistic Christian understanding of humans as created in the image of God. Yet as nursing and healthcare continue to change, the effects have proven disorienting to many. Now more than ever, we need nurses who are committed both to a solid understanding of their profession and to caring well for patients and their families. For over twenty years, Called to Care has served as a unique and essential resource for nurses. In this third edition Judith Allen Shelly and Arlene B. Miller, now joined by coauthor Kimberly H. Fenstermacher, present a definition for nursing based on a historically and theologically grounded vision of the nurse's call: Nursing is a ministry of compassionate and restorative care for the whole person, in response to God's grace, which aims to promote and foster optimum health (shalom) and bring comfort in suffering and death for anyone in need. Focusing on the features of the nursing metaparadigm-person, health, environment, and nursing-they provide a framework for understanding how the Christian faith relates to the many aspects of a nurse's work, from theory to everyday practice. This new edition of Called to Care is thoroughly revised for today's nurses, including updated examples and new content on topics such as cultural competency, palliative care, and the current state of healthcare and nursing education. Each chapter features learning objectives, discussion questions, case studies, and theological reflections from Scripture to help readers engage and apply the content. For educators, students, and practitioners throughout the field of nursing, this classic text continues to provide clarity and wisdom for living out their calling.

We are called to four great loves: to love God; to love God's Word; to love God's people; to love God's purposes in the world. It is both an awesome task and a glorious opportunity that God promises to equip us for. Through two studies for each topic, one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament, we see tangible ways to love and serve the God who loves us perfectly and who longs for us to know him more intimately.

What did I do to deserve cancer? I don't understand it, but I can't seem to pray anymore. Why does God seem so far away? The idea of dying scares me. How can I cope? What do you say to a person in crisis? When illness or tragedy strikes, you may find yourself caring for a family member, friend or neighbor who asks you for answers to some of life's ultimate questions. How can you meet these deep spiritual needs? This personal and practical book deals with the difficult issues and sensitive situations that caregivers often confront. Judy Shelly explains how to offer spiritual support to those facing suffering, illness or other crises. Shelly considers a variety of suggestions caregivers can put into action, including Christian community, compassionate presence, prayer, Scripture, books, touch and music. In addition, she explains and evaluates alternative therapies that have become popular in the health care and counseling fields. And finally, she reminds caregivers of the need to care for themselves, offering suggestions for finding rest, advice and encouragement. Spiritual Care: A Guide for Caregivers is a classic resource book that is now completely rewritten for all caregivers (not just medical professionals and pastors). Here is the guide that will help you meet the spiritual needs of those you love with grace, skill and genuine hope.

Health--physical, mental, spiritual. All three are closely related. But in modern mental-health care one of them is often neglected. Nurses, social workers and counselors are rarely taught to minister to their client's spiritual needs. In fact, they are sometime told to ignore them altogether. But spiritual needs can play a part in any illness. They may become especially strong when the mind and emotions are affected. So how can Christian workers help their clients spiritually without violating their freedom or antagonizing other members of the health-care team? How can they help their colleagues and keep their own sanity under extremely stressful conditions? Judith Allen Shelly joins Sandra D. John and other mental-health professionals to show how Christians can minister effectively to such deep needs.