Caring for Widows

by Brian Croft, Austin Walker, Mike McKinley (Contributor)

This book calls church leaders to take biblical exhortations to care for widows seriously, offering wise guidance and practical suggestions for ensuring that widows in their congregations receive the support and encouragement they need.

Genres: Ecclesiology, Christian, Church, Counselling

160 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2015

About the author

Brian Croft is Senior Pastor of Auburndale Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Brian is the founder of Practical Shepherding, a non-profit organization committed to equipping pastors all over the world in the practical matters of pastoral ministry.

Reviews

[Joshua Madl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our church elders read this together and it was convicting and helpful, to say the least. It gives a biblical argument for why we should care for widows and then gives practical tips on how to go about doing that. Easy to read and thoughtful in its application. Very much recommend it.

[Conner Hampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book that highlights a group in our churches that is sadly neglected or forgotten about.

[Christopher Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian Croft, pastor of Auburndale Baptist Church in Louisville, KY (and founder of Practical Shepherding) and Austin Walker, a pastor at Maidenbower Baptist Church in Crawley, England, co-wrote “Caring for Widows: Ministering God's Grace,” published by Crossway Books in 2015. It is a book that I consider to be a thorough resource and guide for ministering to widows.
Austin Walker wrote the first portion of this work dealing with the biblical mandate to care for those who have lost their husbands.  In the "Conclusion," Walker explained his need to write this was simply based on how few resources there are on such a vital subject to the church.  He began the project for himself and those around him.  He explored both the Old and New Testaments using a concordance to help him find verses on widows, studying each one carefully.  The result was ten chapters laying out God's calling for the care of these precious ladies, as well as God's protection over them, giving the Old Testament and New Testament examples and commands.  In his chapter, "The Price for Neglecting Widows", Walker wrote:
For elders, deacons, and church members to neglect or ill-treat widows expresses an attitude that is not only the total opposite of the conduct of God the Father and of the Lord Jesus Christ, but it invites the chastening hand of God and calls into question the integrity of the church and her identity as the people of God, (pp. 30-31).
Pastor Walker gives examples of how Elijah, Elisha, Boaz, and Jesus cared for widows. He explained how God continuously stated his promise of protection in the law and how James called caring for widows a "pure and undefiled religion."  And in doing so, wrote these words that ought to be taken to heart:
We have seen that the Scriptures require God's people to show mercy and meet the widows' needs. A widow, therefore, has a God given right to expect the church to visit her in her troubles, to reliever her, as well as to comfort her. No widow should ever be in a position in which she is neglected and her needs ignored, (p. 74).
I was surprised to see as much as Walker found about the care for widows in Scripture.  I knew it was there, but apparently I was not picking up on how often widows are mentioned. As much as I found the first portion eye-opening and convicting, I found the second portion, practical and doable.  Brian Croft wrote the second portion which showed that as pastors we are not alone in caring for the widows, but we must take the lead.
There are chapters about how to minister to widows through the word, through gifts, through time, and how to train and encourage others to do so as well.  As I said, this book is extremely practical. To give an example, Pastor Croft even explains how long one should make there visit, dealing with the three most common places to visit those who have lost their husbands: hospitals, home, and nursing homes.  I've always sought to keep someone from serving while visiting, but Croft pointed out that while we must never make a widow feel she must serve us, if she offers, allow her."When you go to a widow's home, the thing that might bring them the most joy is not having someone in her home to visit, but having someone to serve," (p. 99). I had never thought of that before.  His advice on anniversaries (wedding and death) in chapter 19 was spot on as well.
I underlined quite a bit in this book, and I hope to be able to more faithfully care for the widows in our church because of this book.  While reading, I would often send my mom a quote through text or picture. She has been a widow for 20 years now, and wanted to get her opinion on what the authors were saying.  Her last comment back to me summarizes her thoughts well: "I hope this message gets across."
At 156 pages (not including end notes), this book was a quick and easy read.  While specifically written for pastors, this book could and should be read by everyone that knows a widow; it can be downloaded in Kindle edition for about $10.  I offered it to my 15 year old son to read, as he has "adopted" an elderly widow across the street from us. He visits her once a week.  He is way ahead of the game than most of us in the church. I give this book four out of five stars. It is possible that this book could have gotten all five stars if I had not read Croft's book: “The Pastor's Ministry” that contained a chapter on ministering to widows, largely based on this book. Thus, I was somewhat familiar with some of what was written. That being said, “The Pastor's Ministry” gave me the desire to read this one as soon as I finished it and it was definitely worth it.

[Chuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I have not found the books in this series to be of equal value, this may be the best I’ve read so far. One reason I found it so helpful is that it is the only book I’ve ever read—or seen—on this subject. But, beyond that, Brian Croft gives simple, practical advice that many in the body of Christ can benefit from. Austin Walker lays the foundation for the book with a clear, biblical treatment of the care of widows throughout Scripture. I found the book both convicting and hopeful.

[David Poland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quaint introduction to ministry to widows. The first section is a helpful, if sparse, intro to the scriptural mandate for care for widows and could have been more flushed out and detailed. The second section was filled with practical (and refreshingly NOT "new and innovative") advice for the care and love of widows.

A good book for pastors to peruse but possibly best to give to the deaconate to give them help and guidance.

[Benjamin Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up in an older congregation, where most were widowed or would soon lose their spouse. Because of that, I have always had a special place in my heart for older members/widows. I’ve noticed that as I’ve gotten older, moved to new churches, and moved halfway across the country, that my care for older members and widows has slowed (mainly because I didn’t know them). This book was convicting and encouraging that this previous care is a must to be recovered in my life.

[Michaela Causey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for theological reasons for widow care - passages of God’s mandate for all. As well as practical steps and examples of how to care for the widow amongst you. Very simple, easy to read, but deeply helpful.

[Nick Roark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful

[Dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A richly biblical and highly practical guide to share the love and gospel of Christ with widows. An essential manual for elders, deacons, and "rank and file" believers alike.

[Wood Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful for pastor, lay leaders and church members. Don't forget the widows. They need care to.

[Andrew Wencl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian Croft is quickly becoming a go-to guy for insight on shepherding the people of God. He now has a plethora of books about practical matters of being a pastor, and I was fortunate enough to pick up a review title on a subject you won’t find many books addressing: Caring for Widows.

Caring for Widows is actually coauthored with Austin Walker, a minister from Wales. Walker takes the first half of the book, outlining the biblical warrant for caring for widows. He points to the Old and New Testaments to show that God cares deeply for widows, a group of people often overlooked and neglected. As anyone committed to the authority of the Scriptures can tell you, if it’s important to God, it better be important to us.

Croft picks up with the second half of the book, providing advice and guidance on how to put that knowledge into practice. A minister’s first duty is to minister the word, and that ministry should also be the primary way we minister to widows. But that doesn’t mean it’s the only way, or that it should occupy the vast majority of our time spent ministering to them. Croft explains how everyone—not just ministers—can minister to widows in the hospital, in their home, or in a nursing home, and much of his advice derives from good hospitality practices.

This book is a worthy addition to a minister’s bookshelf because it succinctly and faithfully guides readers to practice true religion (James 1:27). Every pastor needs to have a heart for ministering to widows, and this books can be had for about $10.

Many thanks to Crossway for providing me a copy of this book.

[Patrick Hamblin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practical book that exhorts the church to be intentional in its care of a group in the church that unfortunately is often overlooked. A reminder that true religion is caring for widows and orphans.

The book has two halves. The first covers the doctrinal basis for caring for widows. The second gives examples and benefits for not only pastors/elders to care for widows but for the congregation as a whole, particularly younger women for the discipleship opportunities.

[Will Pareja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly and refreshingly practical. Theologically on par and creative.
Good tool for discussion among church leaders.