Spiritual Care

by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Jay C. Rochelle (Translator)

Bonhoeffer says spiritual care is a function of the congregation and that it is an aspect of the broader, more encompassing activity of proclamation. In Spiritual Care, we are confronted with the awesome truth that in speech God's presence is known and that speech is also our own; in silence God's presence is known and that silence is also our own. The text demands us to consider how the gospel message is brought to people in the midst of their personal lives, and his message and counsel use the tools given within the traditional life of the church so that such grace becomes enacted, enfleshed, and incarnate in the Christian community.

Genres: Theology, Christian

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Protestant theologian of Germany, concern Christianity in the modern world; for his role in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, people executed him.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer served as a Lutheran pastor. He, also a participant in the movement of Resistance against Nazism and a member, founded the confessing church. Members of the Abwehr, the military intelligence office planned his involvement, which resulted in his arrest in April 1943 and his subsequent hanging in April 1945 shortly before the end of the war. His secular view influenced very many people.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietric...

Reviews

[Jon Coutts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never assign this for pastoral theology because it comes off parochial and old school, but rereading it I wonder if its thoughtful strangeness to the contemporary evangelical might be exactly what it has going for it.

[Annabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book extremely helpful and practical, especially as I prepare for CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education). At the same time, however, some of the examples given are a bit out of date (this is from quite a while ago, after all!) and it would be beneficial to take a look at them in light of our context today.

[John Angerer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, so let’s start off with the fact I gave Bonhoeffer 5 stars as a rating, yet I’m fully aware that I am not qualified OR worthy to review Bonhoeffer’s writing or theology.

I found this book hit me where I needed to be hit, and I will read it again, rather soon I think. In the introduction by Rochelle, he states that Bonhoeffer taught an “old school” method of pastoral care. After reading Bonhoeffer’s thoughts on pastoral care, I believe maybe the world needs to return to “old school” pastoral care. His advice is full of pastoral visits and Incarnational ministry.

This book is Bonhoeffer at his clearest: he is direct to the line of command, and he does not mince words. I will take his pastoral advice with me into the world in which I live, and I believe I will serve Christ the better for it.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

READ MAR 2010

Excellent work and a must read for any one who has read Bonhoeffer's "Cost of Discipleship" and "Life Together". Too many quotes to capture one...I'll go with: "the greatest burden we must bear is that of another person's freedom" (p. 9); "we who would transform ourselves are imperfect tools for the job and that we do not really know what we would like to become" (p. 17); and "those trapped in vice are not healed by being hit with advice" (p. 35).

[Blake Chenoweth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book that gives several practical things that pastors should do besides preaching God's Word. I liked it but some of the things shared by Bonhoeffer should be changed to fit our role in the world we live in today.

I love his heart for ministry, leading people to Christ and focusing all conversations we have with our people to that. It was a quick read that was a blessing and challenged me to do more spiritual care for people in my congregation. I would still highly recommend this little gem of practical advice for people in ministry.

[Valjean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful book for me as I served on the elder board of a small protestant church with the typical senior pastor/elder board arrangement. Very practical within its historical context. The section on confession is powerful and truly timeless. The book is worth reading for that alone. Overall, not quite to the level of Bonhoeffer's other works, but then not intended to be.

[Matt Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book - very helpful & practical. Specific, sound, gospel saturated advice for pastoral care.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic pastoral theology, useful to all in ministry, especially those who feel calls to the work of the healing ministry of Jesus and for healthcare Chaplaincy. A caution must be clearly stated however. Not all that is clearly correct pastoral ministry in a congregational setting can be expected or enacted by those who serve in the profession of Chaplaincy. John Wesley asked- rather expected - that Elders/ pastors were to "visit from house to house". This short but rich text helped this writer engage in a recollection and refreshing of the evangelical heart of the Anglican Priest, John Wesley which informs personal and professional actions to the public ministry of chaplaincy.

There is a great deal of material worthy of quotation, and the book could be read and reread many times for spiritual reflection. A most impressive place of reflection for me at this reading was in the section Home Visitation, as I reflected upon my own continuing spiritual formation and service as a Chaplain. In the section on home visitation Bonhoeffer writes "Many a pastor does not become a true Christian until he engages in spiritual care." He follows on with a comparison of the place of confessional in the Roman Church and evangelical ministry. "The evangelical pastor shows through a visit that Christ wishes to come to this house." This resonates in me as a spiritual truth, confirmed by my years serving as a pastor.

[Rich Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

The translator thinks very highly of himself. How else do you explain an introduction that takes almost half of the book? Otherwise, the guidance given by Bonhoeffer is very profitable, especially for pastors. As a layman I still found the information beneficial as providing insights into the things a pastor faces on a daily basis and will help me in knowing how to pray for our spiritual leaders more effectively.

[Tyler Neethling · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good resource despite having some disagreements.

[Garhett Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the best of his works, but gave some amazing practical advice for the local minister. A must read for the pastor.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short book with the author's suggestions on how a pastor should go about conducting his pastoral duties. I think much of his suggestions stemmed from the cultural norms of his day rather than Biblical foundations, and I did not find those suggestions relevant or interesting. The first chapter is the most intriguing read to me, for in it the author discussed the essence of pastoral work as to "preach the gospel." So...instead of caring, counseling, helping walking the difficult mile with the people you're pastoring, the pastor's vocation is actually to preach the gospel to them, get their heart and mind to focus on the gospel. The author realizes in doing this, the pastor takes a risk. But he sees the risk as an essential element of pastoring. I find this chapter interesting because when done badly, this could result in extremely crude pastoring. But when I reflect on the good pastoring I've witnessed or experienced, I can see how indeed the gospel is "preached," or presented, or upheld, or enacted, throughout the process. So it can be a wise advise, when acted out by a pastor with the wisdom and love from the Lord.

[Stephanie Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, insanely practical advice for pastors, shepherds and leaders of the flock

[Timothy Winterstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent pastoral advice