Gary L. Harbaugh

This book raises in a straightforward fashion the faith-related questions that the victims/survivors of natural disasters have as a result of this experience. Is the disaster an "act of God?" Did God cause the disaster? If God is all powerful, why did God allow it to happen? The author then goes on to argue that God is active in our questions, confusions, and doubts, as well as in those who help - either individually or as communities of faith. He discusses the dynamics of the caregiver/care receiver relationship from the perspective of the care receiver to provide insights into how natural disaster victims can face an uncertain future with hope and faith. A final chapter for caregivers provides help for the emotional and spiritual health of those who assist others in times of disaster. Appendices provide practical, close-to-the-ground tools.

Everyone in-or associated with-pastoral ministry knows of the heavy toll on pastors' personal and professional lives. Surveys commonly report time pressures, stress, overextension, loneliness and isolation, marital and family difficulties, spiritual dryness, and feelings of loss of meaning. Covenants and Care takes these hard realities into account as the authors, a team of experts in ministry and the Bible, offer skills for the long haul. They employ the Old Testament notion of covenant and ask ministers to enter a covenant both for their own self-care and as a key to framing and enlivening their care for others in ministry. True-to-life stories show how biblically-based covenantal relationships with clear boundaries promote healthy relationships, and how they are integral to faithful personal and pastoral care. The authors' sensible yet sensitive approach offers practical help for the minister's self-care while providing tools for meeting such challenges as conflict in the congregation, issues of sexual ethics, questions of power and conscience, and the dynamics of spirituality.

This book is gift-wrapped as a present. God's Gifted People is a present to yourself or to someone you love because it helps you discover the gift that you are as a person the gift that others are the way our personality gifts can be used to make Life more enjoyable, Love more exciting, Relationship more fulfilling, Work more satisfying, Spirituality more alive. God's Gifted People is an application of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). According to Consulting Psychologist Press, the Myers-Briggs has become "the most widely used measure of personality dispositions and preferences." The MBTI is used in industry, education, counseling, and over health services, and -- increasingly -- in religious life. In a practical and easy-to-read way, Dr. Gary Harbaugh combines the psychological perspective of the Myers-Briggs with a biblical understanding of gifts -- particularly the often overlooked gift of one's own unique personality.

Harbaugh captures your interest with dramatic stories of the inner lives of working pastors, weaving these stories into patterns of meaning from his own reflection and research. An excellent study guide for the individual pastor, the pastor's support group, or the seminary class that really wants to come to grips with the dilemmas of being a person who is also a pastor.