John Patton – författare

Provides an overview of pastoral and practical theology in the form of articles and extracts with commentary. Presents pastoral and practical theology within a theoretical frameworkContains classic readings together with newly commissioned articlesEngages with practical theologies from both sides of the Atlantic

An expert in the field of pastoral care, John Patton demonstrates that pastoral care is a ministry of the church. He focuses on the community of faith as an authorizer and source of care and upon the relationship between the pastor and a caring community. Patton identifies and compares three paradigms of pastoral care: the classical, the clinical pastoral, and the communal contextual. This third paradigm emphasizes the caring community and the various contexts for care rather than focusing on pastoral care as the work of the ordained pastor.