Eric Wester

Care for the Sorrowing Soul

Counseling, Grief & Mental Health

“Books on moral injury often culminate with this message—such wounds need the healing of forgiveness. Concepts and practices presented by Duane Larson and Jeff Zust provide much-needed insight about soul care. Their ideas and experiences offer the balm of grace and thoughtful attention to forgiveness.”

Foundations of Chaplaincy

Church Leadership & Ministry

“Retired Navy Chaplain Alan ‘Blues’ Baker writes valiantly to recenter and reground US military chaplaincy on foundational concepts and practices. Chaplain Baker directly addresses military chaplaincy, but his framework and principles readily apply to health care, corrections, university, and other chaplaincies. His six chapters weave together four essential roles of chaplains with relevant vignettes illustrating ministry in action. He includes five appendices with tools of the trade for chaplains. The footnotes and bibliography are helpful to students of chaplaincy, and the index makes for quick reference. Intentionally or coincidentally, Baker addresses what might be called a ‘battle for the soul of chaplaincy.’ For at least two decades, US military chaplaincy has struggled to hold on to a coherent conceptual framework and unifying values. Baker revivifies essential constructs of chaplain practice and elevates religious support of (mostly young adults) in uniformed service. Serving others has been the historic raison d’etre for chaplaincy. These principles push against a separate strand of contemporary military chaplaincy: overt sectarianism focused on the nation’s culture wars. Chaplain Baker makes the case: faithful military chaplains are not sectarian religionists, but agile, compassionate, and devoted spiritual and pastoral guides. These same principles apply to ministers who aspire or now serve in multiple chaplaincy settings.”