Synopses & Reviews
Infertility, divorce, domestic violence, eating disorders...all have become part of a day's work for women and men in ministry to women. Yet, most are not prepared for this aspect of ministering to women in real pain over real issues.
Designed to give leaders and care givers greater understanding, insights for shepherding, and referral resources, Shepherding Women in Pain is a compilation from contributors who have expertise and experience with women on the given issue. For example Stacey Womack, founder and executive director of Abuse Recovery Ministry & Services, wrote the chapter on domestic violence and Kimberley Davidson, founder of Olive Branch Outreach, authored the chapter discussing eating disorders.
The reader will be provided concise, practical, and grace-infused information designed to help women deal constructively with the trauma of their life experiences. This book will serve as a key resource--read and re-read often--to those who serve women in pain.
Review
Shepherding Women in Pain is long overdue. For years I have needed such an insightful resource—addressing biblically and sensitively a broad scope of gender-specific issues of half our world's population. Bev Hislop is certainly correct: men and women do process pain differently. This book explains how they differ, and it will help to maximize the ministry of anyone with a heart for people helping.
William J. McRae
President Emeritus, Tyndale University College and Seminary, Toronto, Canada, and author of Preparing for Your Marriage, The Dynamics of Spiritual Gifts, and Birth of the Bible
Shepherding Women in Pain is a book every Christian leader needs! Dr. Bev Hislop has thoroughly addressed all of the major issues we encounter in the process of providing ministry to women. With true stories, outstanding input from professionals, unprecedented how-tos and practical suggestions, this book will help you to confidently identify tough issues and provide grace, resources, personal involvement, and action steps that are needed. This is the most thorough, up-to-date ministry tool I’ve read in years.
Carol Kent, speaker and author of When I Lay My Isaac Down and A New Kind of Normal
“This is an amazing resource, not just for professional shepherds but for ordinary women who are committed to living out Christ’s call to walk alongside those who are hurting. It gives her the tools needed to be a conduit of God’s hope and love.”
Rosemary Flaaten, MA in Counseling
Speaker and author of A Woman and Her Relationships
“Bev Hislop has written a wonderfully, practical go-to book that should be within an arm’s reach of everyone who cares about women.”
Kay Warren
Founder, HIV/AIDS Initiative
Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, California
The information this wonderful book contains is invaluable. Bev Hislop has gathered together experts on a wide variety of issues who give valuable information and insights into both effective and ineffective ways to respond to and care for hurting women. It is a book to better equip caregivers to offer God's love and hope to women in pain.
Joye Baker, D.Min.
Adjunct Professor
Doctor of Ministry Cohort Lead Professor and Mentor
Women’s Adviser of Christian Education at Dallas Theological Seminary
Finally . . . a book to help those of us in the trenches of ministering to hurting women! I am grateful to the Lord that He has used Dr. Hislop to bring a critical understanding of how to shepherd the millions of women who are dealing with life’s most terrible circumstances. This will become the ‘how-to’ for ministry leaders for decades to come!
Jennifer Keitt, founder and host of the nationally syndicated Today’s Black Woman Radio Show.
Shepherding Women in Pain fills a real void in the Christian Pastoral and Counseling library. Dr. Hislop helps caregivers to see more clearly the unique ways in which women have been sinned against and the wounds they carry. Additionally, she provides us with helpful information and strategies to bring healing and wholeness in the lives of women. I highly recommend this book.
Ronald E. Hawkins, D.Min., Ed.D.
Member of the Executive Board for the American Association of Christian Counselors
Vice Provost for Online and Graduate Programs at Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia
About the Author
BEV HISLOP (D. Min, Gordon-Conwell) is the executive director of the Women's Center for Ministry and associate professor of pastoral care to women at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. She currently serves on the board of Network of Women in Leadership, and is the former host of the weekly radio program Western Connection for Women. Bev is a contributing author to the Women's Ministry Handbook and is author of Shepherding a Woman¿s Heart: A New Model for Effective Ministry to Women. Bev and her husband, Jim, reside in Portland, Oregon and have two married children and five grandchildren.
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION I: Understanding Women in Pain
What the woman in pain needs to know
1. How can I stop the pain?
2. What does healing look like?
3. Where is God in the pain?
4. When should I seek professional help?
SECTION II: Shepherding Women in Pain
What the shepherd needs to know
5. Infertility (Sue Suomi)
6. Abortion (Mindy Johnson)
7. Terminal illness (Kay Kirkbride)
8. Physical disabilities (Berry & Waldon)
9. Domestic violence (Stacey Womach)
10. Sexual abuse (Kathy Rodriguez)
11. Pornography/sexual addiction (Sandy Wilson)
12. Eating disorders (Kim Davidson)
13. Divorce (Welby O’Brien)
14. Addictions (Mary Anne Fifield)
15. Incarcerated Women (Fran Howard)
16. Homeless Women (Jan Marshall)
17. Suicide (Kay Bruce)
18. Spiritual abuse (Gerry Breshears)
19. Depression (Chantelle Dockter)
SECTION III: Healing Women in Pain
What the healing community needs to know
20. Environments of grace offer acceptance (Bev Hislop)
21. Wounded healers reflect God’s power (Shepherds Door--Jan Marshall)
22. Authentic soul care givers generate health (Soul Care--Mary Kalesse)
Communities of support bring hope (Restoration Ministries--Kathy Rodriguez)