Ministering to Families in Crisis - by Jennifer S Ripley & James N Sells & Diane J Chandler (Hardcover)

About the Book

When people encounter a crisis, they often turn to ministry leaders, who may feel unprepared to guide them. In this tool kit for pastors, Christian leaders with unique expertise provide evidence-based insights and practical suggestions on challenges affecting marriages, children, and teens, equipping ministers to help families find hope.

Book Synopsis

Empower Your Ministry to Walk Alongside Families in Their Toughest Moments

When crisis strikes, families often turn to ministry leaders for guidance--but are you prepared to help? Edited by Jennifer Ripley, James Sells, and Diane Chandler, Ministering to Families in Crisis equips you with the tools, insights, and resources to provide help for those in need.

From navigating the complexities of trauma, abuse, and mental illness to providing wise counsel addressing marital conflict, support for aging parents, and the management of screens for parents and kids alike, this essential shelf-resource empowers ministry leaders to be a source of hope and support for their communities. Each chapter offers evidence-based strategies, expert insights, and practical suggestions to help families find healing and strength.

Whether you're confronting issues like relational conflict, financial crisis, or addiction, Ministering to Families in Crisis provides a roadmap for caring for those you lead while also providing guidance on when to offer referrals.

Key Features

• Comprehensive Guidance for Ministry Challenges: Learn from Christian leaders with unique expertise as they address real-world issues like trauma, divorce, addiction, and caregiving.
• Practical Tools for Immediate Impact: Learn evidence-based strategies and actionable recommendations for effective family support.
• A Broad Range of Topics: LGBTQ+ issues, divorce, mental health, disability, and more are all addressed compassionately and thoughtfully.
• When to Refer: Understand when professional referrals are necessary and how to guide families toward additional support.

What's Inside

Gain wisdom from expert contributors with chapters like these:

• Ministering to Families When Children Come Out by Janet B. Dean, Stephen P. Stratton, and Mark A. Yarhouse
• Adults and Screens: Preventing Crisis Through Digital Discipleship by Arlene Pellicane
• The Challenge of Helping Couples in Conflict by David C. Olsen
• Screens, Children, and Teens: The Challenges Are Real, and You Can Help by Kathy Koch
• Domestic Violence and Church Ministry by Darby A. Strickland

The church is a spiritual family, designed by God to shape members' lives and provide a sense of belonging, regardless of their background or experience. Ministering to Families in Crisis equips you--whether you're a minister, pastor, counselor, or volunteer leader--with the tools and encouragement you need to help families find hope during life's storms. More than just offering advice, it serves as your essential guide to walking alongside families in their toughest moments, fostering healing, hope, and deep spiritual growth.

Get your copy today and learn how you can minister well to those experiencing crisis.

Review Quotes

"Ministering to Families in Crisis is a timely and indispensable resource for any church committed to nurturing mental and emotional well-being. With compassion and expertise, the authors tackle complex issues affecting families today, offering practical guidance rooted in both Scripture and evidence-based approaches. This comprehensive guide equips pastors and church leaders to address a myriad of challenges--from mental illness to racial trauma--with grace and understanding. A must-read for those seeking to cultivate a community of support and healing within their congregation."

--Samuel Rodriguez, lead pastor of New Season Church in Sacramento, California, and author of Your Mess, God's Miracle

"Ministering to Families in Crisis is an invaluable resource for anyone involved in pastoral care or family ministry. With sensitivity and practical wisdom, this comprehensive guide addresses a wide range of challenges families may face. Each chapter is packed with practical strategies, real-life examples, and thoughtful reflections, making it an essential resource for anyone seeking to support and strengthen families in times of crisis. From establishing hope amid the pain of divorce to navigating the complexities of mental illness, LGBTQ+ issues, and domestic violence, this book covers it all, equipping ministry leaders to meet families where they are in the storms of life."

--Matthew Stanford, CEO of the Hope and Healing Center and Institute in Houston, Texas

"Ministering to Families in Crisis, edited by Ripley, Sells, and Chandler, is a comprehensive, biblically based, well-written, and excellent guide for nurturing the mental and emotional health of families in churches who are experiencing crises of all kinds. The editors have assembled a great group of authors who provide substantial and practical help for those ministering to such families. Highly recommended!"

--Siang-Yang Tan, senior professor of clinical psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary and author of Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Christian Perspective

"I wish we didn't need Ministering to Families in Crisis, but I'm sure glad we have it. The difficult truth is that many of the families we serve are indeed hurting and in crisis. The problem is that many of us haven't been trained how to respond. Instead, we often feel afraid or paralyzed, wanting to help but not knowing how. Ministering to Families in Crisis provides the theologically robust and practical guidance we need to love and care for our families. All children, student, and family ministry leaders should read Ministering to Families in Crisis and keep it within reach."

--Brian Dembowczyk, associate publisher for Thomas Nelson Bibles and author of Family Discipleship that Works

"The family is the cornerstone of society and the bedrock of the Church. It matters more than we all know. This new resource is a welcome hands-on guide for ministry leaders to help our families navigate the complexities of the mental health disaster we are facing."

--Tim Clinton, president of the American Association of Christian Counselors

About the Author

Jennifer S. Ripley (PhD, Virginia Commonwealth University) is professor of psychology, shares the Hughes Professor of Christian Thought and Mental Health, and codirects the Charis Institute at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and coauthor of Couple Therapy: A New Hope-Focused Approach.

James N. Sells (PhD, University of Southern California) is professor of counseling, shares the Rosemary S. Hughes Professor of Christian Thought and Mental Health, and codirects the Charis Institute at Regent University. He is a licensed psychologist, and his books include Family Therapies and Beyond the Clinical Hour.

Diane J. Chandler (PhD, Regent University) is associate professor of spiritual formation and leadership at the Regent University School of Divinity. She is the author of Christian Spiritual Formation: An Integrated Approach to Personal and Relational Wholeness.