Christian Caregiving—A Way of Life

by Kenneth C. Haugk

In this Christian bestseller, published in a new second edition for Stephen Ministry 2020, Dr. Kenneth Haugk draws from his background as a pastor and clinical psychologist to give practical answers to these profound “What makes Christian caregiving distinctive? How does my faith make a difference in my caring and relating?” This book explores ways you can practice true servanthood, confidently use the tools of your faith, and touch the deepest spiritual concerns of others. It provides invaluable guidance, insights, and encouragement to be an effective, distinctively Christian caregiver—while remembering that God is the Curegiver.

Genres: Christian, Faith, Nonfiction, Religion, Spirituality, Christianity, Christian Non Fiction

157 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for a class. Wish I had had it at my disposal years and years ago.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for a Stephen’s Ministry class - full of practical language and easy to understand stories.

[Roger Smitter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chapter 1 is "God as the Curegiver," sets the theme of this short but very useful book. Haugk reminds pastors, Sunday school teachers, and anyone working or volunteering in a church that their goal is to be a "caregiver," a person who helps others in bad times and in good times. The author gives a sense of what it means to serve the needs of others using the examples of Jesus as explained in the Bible. Some readers may be surprised at what the author says. But it's a good way to understand what it means to give care to people who are needy. The book lays out an issue of trying to help others and shows useful examples.

[Victoria Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for those who are counseling others and in the search of how to combine theology with psychology.

[Beki Eikum · Rating 4 out of 5]

God is the cure giver! We are the care givers. Read this for Stephen ministry training and found it helpful and easy to read.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A succinct handbook on the importance, distinctiveness, and practical aspects of Christian caregiving. This resource is a good addition to the Christian toolbox as it demystifies Christian care while gently correcting the abuses and misuses that have often occurred. It also deals with the emotional realities of Christian caregiving that the caregiver may experience (e.g., being rebuffed) and pitfalls to avoid (e.g., servitude). In an age where "we have come to think that we can understand and care for people without touching their spiritual, ethical, or theological dimensions", this primer is sorely needed. Christian caregiving is meant to be holistic, it doesn't ignore the fact that people are "integrated human beings who have physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual needs" and unmet needs in one are affect the others. Grabbing hold of this truth is a must.

[Jennifer Lim · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars makes it sound bad. It’s not a bad book! It gives categorically succinct and meaningful advice on how to give distinctly Christian care. However, it left me wanting more practical examples, more actual human ones, as many of the examples given are hypothetical and, as such, lack a sense of depth or reality to them. But I would still recommend it to anyone who is beginning to pursue Care-giving as a Christian discipline, as at the very least, it gives you the language and basic tools to get you started.

[John Angerer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great primer for any Christian who is entering or considering entering pastoral care or any pastoral ministry or listening ministry. It is clearly written, straightforward, biblically based and offers many practical examples, some hit me right in the place I needed them, others fell flat. But that’s how the gifts of the Spirit are, no one has all of them, so not everyone should relate to every story.

Great book and a blessing to my ministry. Thank you Dr. Haugk!

[Gail Clayworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part of the training curriculum for Stephen Ministry, a program offered by churches to provide a listening ear and a caring companion for people going through a difficult time. It's specifically geared to this type of care and not some of the other things people might associate with the term "caregiving," like caring for the physical and practical needs of children, the ill or elderly. The book provides guidance for how to listen non-judgmentally and with empathy and compassion, while avoiding pitfalls like preaching or offering unsolicited advice. I find that some of these listening skills have application not only for Stephen Ministry, but for relationships with family and friends as well.

[Dave Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very practical overview and explanation of why distinctively Christian caregiving is the best and most effective type of caring. It offers good insights on how to be bold to share your faith, pray with people, offer God’s blessings to people, and assure those who are hurting that they have forgiveness and redemption in Christ.
A key aspect of Christian caring is learning to listen first, then listen some more and finally listen again without being judgemental, without trying to “fix” the situation, without being manipulated, and without being in a hurry to see results. Caring for others is so much more about the process than the results.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Required reading for ministry training at our church. Good, practical, Biblical insights on compassion, reflective listening, what connotes distinctively Christian caregiving. I was familiar with much of the material before reading it; however, he does give some insights that were new to me. I love his holistic view of the person (the importance of ministering to the whole person), his Christ-centered theology, and his encouragement that believers can trust that Christ in them will touch those whom they serve. A good resource if you are going to be in any caregiving ministry.

[Maggie Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this because our church has launched Stephen Ministries. The writing can be a bit dry but the information provided on giving emotional and spiritual care in a distinctly Christian manner is excellent. I would recommend this to anyone who deals with people on a regular basis. :-) The information here is extremely helpful for dealing with friends or family in crisis.

[Alicia Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really well-written. Easy to read and good for anyone wanting to care for others, especially if they care out of their identity as a Christian. Many of the principles are just how to be an excellent care-giver to friends, family members, strangers, or those in need. But it does also help consider the specifically spiritual and Christian motivations and resources for loving others.

[Paula Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is part of the program for Stephen Ministry and offers a foundation for caregiving based on Christ's teachings. It is very helpful in identifying the tools ordinary Christians have to use in helping others.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm reading this for a Stephen Ministry training class, and it was very helpful. I certainly have many points of theological disagreement with the author, but the majority of the book was very useful.

[xmilkshakex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mister Kenneth really created a warm book of senseful, clear, simple, deeply impactful advice and thoughts on Christian caregiving, as the title infers. I will keep this book for a long while, and I already have hopes of sharing it with some friends.

[David Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will definitely be a manual I will return to throughout my time on the care team and beyond. A simple, tangible book that focuses on being Jesus to others, and loving others as if they were Christ.

[MomofTeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The world needs all the caring it can get—from psychology and theology,” writes Haugk, a pastor and clinical psychologist. As I train to become a Stephens Minister, I am grateful for the simple teachings about love, grace, and compassion.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book for my Stephen Ministry class and worth the read for anyone. Wonderful read.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful blessed insights of great value.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my books as I go through Stephen Ministry training. It is a good resource.

[Jaclyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been wanting to read this for many years. Stephen Ministry training gave me the push I needed. There was a lot of information to digest---I'm sure I'll need to re-read it several times.

[David Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an easy reading book that covers any aspects of Christian caregiving. The chapters are succinct and short, but full of meaning.

[Tobi Bos · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ½

[Diane]

Excellent and practical. Don't miss this.

[Brooke Newman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for a class I am taking at church. Easy read...a bit dated. I enjoyed it nonetheless.

[AddyF · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was part of the curriculum for Stephen Ministry training, and it was a helpful companion to the classes and other required reading.

[Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll let you know

[Mr. V · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy and interesting read about christian caregiver and their role in helping people in crises.

[Harry Cisneros · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book, very informative.