Disaster Spiritual Care, 2nd Edition: Practical Clergy Responses to Community, Regional and National Tragedy

by Willard W.C. Ashley Sr. (Editor), Stephen B. Roberts (Editor)

An updated and expanded edition of the first comprehensive resource for pastoral care in the face of disaster-a vital resource for clergy, seminarians, pastoral counselors and caregivers of all faith traditions.

416 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2008

Reviews

[Jennifer Lucking · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful resource! Great for anyone working with people in trauma. I benefited less from the chapters that relied heavily on pointing people to resources - they were very American specific.

[Jamie Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a police/fire chaplain for almost six years. In addition to that I have worked with many Emergency Disaster Services from my very first experience of the Northridge Earthquake to World Trade Center to Joplin Tornado to most recently Hurricane Harvey and many in between. I have been a past vice chair to a state VOAD and I have chaired LTDRC. This book covers just about everything you need to know from all angles of this.

Only two slight criticisms I would have on the book. First, it has a heavy emphasis on the American Red Cross. There are plenty of other disaster organizations out there besides the Red Cross. In fact the red cross is in and of itself not a faith based organizations as the majority of organizations in VOAD are faith based. Also my experience with the Red Cross has generally been one that frowns upon any spiritual care opting instead for mental health care. Frowning even on praying with and for people on a voluntary effort.

Second I wish the book would talk a bit more about death notifications. How to do them right. I could tell you so many, many sad unfortunate stories of death notifications done wrong and the harm they have caused. Frequently clergy are called upon to do these death notifications and while no one like to do these we need to know how to do them right.

Overall however this is an excellent book.

[Jonathan A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

a clear and direct book looking at a variety of ways a religious person/community can be trained, prepared, and competent in responding to a disaster. While some of the points were stated by multiple authors creating some redundancy, there were still enough gems to make the book worthwhile.

[Michaela Causey]

Read all but a couple chapters. For masters last semester and never checked it off my completed list.

[RevRonR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the best of the best on book on spiritual care in disaster settings. It comes from a number of authors of varying faith and religious backgrounds. There are many helpful charts throughout. It covers the wide range of disaster settings and it would be hard to believe that anyone would be disappointed after reading this book - especially if they know anything about providing care in traumatic situations.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of the three texts utilized in my course, this was the most basic and informative. Yet, for a book with it's third printing in 2015 it lacks much in design and format.