Beacon Press: Souls in the Hands of a Tender God
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Souls in the Hands of a Tender God

Stories of the Search for Home and Healing on the Streets

Authors: Craig Rennebohm, David Paul

As profiled in USA Today, a pastor’s ministry working with the homeless and mentally ill and a discussion of our need for healing communities

Since 1987, Craig Rennebohm has ministered to people who are homeless and struggling with mental illness. In Souls in the Hands of a Tender God, he tells the evocative stories of those who desperately need psychiatric, psychological, and spiritual support, like Mary, who surrounds herself with bulging trash bags, and Jerry, barred from every shelter and meal program in Seattle. With gentleness and grace, solid knowledge and wisdom, Rennebohm reaches out to each of them, and their stories become parables that explore mental illness and the spiritual heart of care and recovery.
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“As well as a guide to how others can help be healing presences to the mentally ill, this hopeful book is a meditation on faith in a broken world.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“A refreshing look at compassion and caring for Seattle’s outcasts . . . touching and not overly preachy.” —Louisa Gaylord, Crosscut

“Recommend[ed] to professionals . . . to those who have struggled with mental/emotional problems, and to those who have mentally disturbed family members or friends.” —Dean Watt, The Center for Progressive Christianity

“For the past 20 years, the Rev. Craig Rennebohm has spent at least three days a week walking the streets of [Seattle]. His mission? Helping the chronically homeless people everyone else bustles past. He shepherds people with mental illnesses to doctor appointments. He warms folks up with coffee at Starbucks. And, always, this United Church of Christ minister tries to get some of the 2,000-plus people ‘sleeping rough’ on any given night into housing. It’s slow going.” —Laura Vanderkam, USA Today

“Souls delivers a multilayered and nuanced discussion of homelessness and mental illness. And, when combined with a theological perspective that emphasizes God’s love, Rennebohm’s hard-fought-and-won insights into engaging the homeless and creating better systems of care offer refreshing contact points for psychology and religion.” —James H. Zahniser, Contemporary Psychology

Reviews

Review: SZ Magazine - March 1, 2009
“…inspiring and instructive stories of healing for the homeless that would be an excellent introduction for a church or agency called to minister to the homeless.”
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Souls in the Hands of a Tender God

ISBN: 978-080700043-4
 Publication Date: 6/1/2009
 Pages: 224
 Size:6 x 9 Inches (US)
Price:  $20.00
Format: Paperback
Availability: In stock.
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