Beyond The Suffering: Embracing The Legacy Of African American Soul Care And Spiritual Direction

Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction

The African American Church has always helped hurting and hardened people through the personal and corporate ministries of sustaining, healing, reconciling, and guiding. This four-dimensional model is the traditional and widely recognized pattern for understanding lay spiritual friendship, pastoral care, and professional Christian counseling. Beyond the Suffering seeks to uncover the buried treasure of wisdom about soul care and spiritual direction contained in the history of African American Christianity. Written with the blended perspectives of an African American woman and a Caucasian man, Beyond the Suffering offers an in-depth exploration of this rich tradition, showing Christians proven ways to help people find hope in the midst of deep pain and sorrow. Pastors, counselors, and lay people, as well as African Americans hungry for the legacy of their ancestors, will appreciate both the history and the practical applications found in this book.From the Back Cover"Beyond the Suffering is remarkable: deep, thoughtful, painful, and hopeful. It will illumine, trouble, and heal."--John Ortberg, pastor and author The African American Church has always helped hurting people through the ministries of sustaining, healing, reconciling, and guiding. This four-dimensional model is the traditional and widely recognized pattern for understanding lay spiritual friendship, pastoral care, and professional Christian counseling. Beyond the Suffering offers an in-depth exploration of this rich tradition, showing Christians proven ways to help people find hope in the midst of deep pain and sorrow. "Drawing on the riches of the African American tradition, this book sheds new light on spiritual formation and Christian nurture. A splendid contribution and a great gift!"--Timothy George, dean, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University; executive editor, Christianity Today "A deeply moving and helpful book. I highly recommend Beyond the Suffering as crucial reading for everyone involved in soul care, spiritual direction, and counseling."--Rev. Dr. Siang-Yang Tan, PhD, professor of psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary; senior pastor, First Evangelical Church, Glendale, Southern California "This book rips the truth about soul care from the hands of the elitist and hands it to those who lived and taught it in the crucible of suffering. The Gospel's ability to transcend race, abuse, and evil of every kind is powerfully presented. It shook me up."--Bill Hull, author, Choose the Life: Exploring a Faith That Embraces Discipleship "Kellemen and Edwards warm the soul with this scholarly reflection of the mind. Beyond suffering lies the power of new life and new beginnings."--Dwight N. Hopkins, author, Being Human: Race, Culture, and Religion "The amazing grace in the lives of blacks in America gives hope to us all of God's redemptive desire to touch our souls. This book underscores such a legacy."--David Anderson, pastor, Bridgeway Community Church; author, Multicultural Ministry: Finding Your Church's Unique Rhythm Dr. Robert W. Kellemen is chairman of the Master of Arts in Christian Counseling and Discipleship (MACCD) Department at Capital Bible Seminary in Lanham, Maryland. Karole A. Edwards is a former director of "After 5," a women's small group ministry at the 10,000-member-strong McLean Bible Church in McLean, Virginia. She facilitated the spiritual leadership and management of the ministry, which disciples, shepherds, and cares for over 250 women in small group settings throughout the Washington DC area.About the AuthorDr. Robert W. Kellemen is chairman of the Master of Arts in Christian Counseling and Discipleship (MACCD) Department at Capital Bible Seminary, in Lanham, Maryland. He lives in Crown Point, Indiana. Karole A. Edwards is director of the "After 5" ministry, a women's small group ministry at the 10,000-member strong McLean Bible Church in McLean, Virginia. Ms. Edwards facilitates the spiritual leadership a