Recalling Our Own Stories: Spiritual Renewal for Religious Caregivers Kindle Edition

According to his biography, Dr. Edward P. Wimberly was well-known for his insights into the influence of the African American experience on a person’s spirituality and ministry. In this book, he looks at how each minister’s story influences how they minister. Over the years, Dr. Wimberly lead many retreats for clergy. "Recalling Our Own Stories" comes from stories shared in those retreats. It is full of true cases from spiritual renewal retreats, workshops, and classroom discussions and features life stories of caregivers of diverse gender and cultural backgrounds. The author believes that we all have our identities shaped by “myths” that we live by. These “myths” also dictate the way you (as a chaplain, pastor, or clergy member) serve others. Your “myths” have their roots in your family of origin. Understanding your “myths” can help you bring meaning to the patterns that emerge in your life. Dr. Wimberly encourages you to “reauthor” your story. "Reauthoring” does not mean that you change the events that took place in your life. Instead, you should grow and learn the meaning that you have given to these stories. This, then, will enable you to look back on your past with greater self-awareness, self-acceptance, and confidence for your future. I highly recommend this book for anyone in the ministry.

This book was assignment for a CPE class I completed. While mostly directed at ministers/priests/clergy and seminarians, it can be a resource for others to open how we view our own lives---the "myths" about ourselves and our families that persist and drive us---and ultimately to make the changes that can be the/a difference going forward.

This is a book that challenges the "story" that you have learned, perhaps unintentionally. We are imprinted by our families. Sometimes those lessons don't get resolved and it comes back to affect us. When we are in ministry, this can affect our ministry performance. This book is intended to raise questions and help us face our concerns. If we find we need further help, then that must be done. This book challenges us; it does not try to solve all the issues.

Great book. It will cause you to ponder the events that has taken place in ones life and lead you in the right direction. It may cause you to recall things that you may not be comfortable uncovering. Just prepare yourself emotionally.

Love this book! Second time ordering because cannot find First one!

This book was recommended to me by my sister a minister who read it while in seminary. She stated it made her reexamine her own life and she gained a better perspective of how to live life to the fullest. She knew I've been struggling with a painful pass and have lost my direction for the future. She said this book would help. She also stated it will be a painful lesson but a lesson that will be of greater value for my future. Anything that will help me find myself, give me peace and take away some of my pain I'm grateful for.

The way it was written both with its use of stories as examples along with the facts made this a very easy enjoyable read. The way the many myths play into the minister as an individual, as a parent in the ministers family and the minister as a part of the church family system was very well explained.

Delivered quickly and in perfect condition! It is also an incredibly insightful read. I work as a hospital Chaplain so it speaks directly to what it is that I do, but I would suggest this book to just about anybody in need of spiritual renewal or retreat, particularly if you're serving in a field of ministry. I only wish that it came in digital form.