It is an ambitious and risky project to collect together over 300 short articles by 180 authors to compose a Dictionary of Pastoral Care which will live up to its claim to be an ‘essential reference work’ for every minister, pastor and professional carer. But to a great extent Alastair Campbell has succeeded in achieving his aim. The attempt was certainly worthwhile because although one or two such dictionaries exist in the USA there is nothing like it available in the United Kingdom.

The pressures of the ministry unfortunately mean that few ministers have the time to read many books on the counselling situations they face. So these concise and clearly written articles will be welcomed. Their brevity should not be mistaken for superficiality. The articles have depth to them and are a masterly blend of practical information, psychological and psychiatric insight, biblical theology and spiritual wisdom. Short bibliographies are also included to enable those who care to pursue the subject in greater depth.

A wide range of subjects is included, from abortion to worship via apathy, bereavement, evangelism, incest, sleep, stress, the health services, group therapy, faith and heaven and hell.

The stance of the dictionary reflects a solid churchmanship and solid scholarship. The former determines the inclusion of articles on such issues as ascetical theology, confession, eucharist, ordination, spiritual direction and women’s ordination. The latter determines the cast of some of the articles. Under poverty, for example, we are treated to an essay on its causes and how that determines whether your approach is a welfare one, an educational one or a more radical political one. It is good to get the broader spectrum but it would be helpful too to know what you do when confronted by an apparently destitute person in your vestry! The article on the charismatic movement seemed to me to be a missed opportunity. It provided a potted history of the movement and an essay on its ecumenical character, but under a heading ‘Significance for pastoral care’ it simply said, ‘it all depends …’. A number of recurring pastoral issues regarding the nature of spiritual experience, faith, healing, demons, the unity of the church, etc. are constantly thrown up by the movement but are not mentioned here.

In another way, too, the dictionary could have been more grounded. I immediately looked for articles on anorexia, alcoholism (which is only briefly covered under addiction), child abuse and debt, only to find that these topics of daily concern to the pastor were not there.

Theologically, the dictionary will have much to offer evangelicals although they will not be happy with it all. John Wesson’s article on conversion will be welcome. Leslie Virgo’s articles on homosexuality will be less so. Although it provides the reader with an excellent survey of contemporary facts and views on homosexuality, it does not set it in any moral framework nor does it refer once to the Bible’s teaching on the matter.

The article on the pastoral use of the Bible begins by saying that the Bible is often misused or neglected in the counselling situation. It develops the theme of misuse by warning against a confrontational approach in counselling where lists of verses from the Bible are given to settle the problem, often prematurely. It sees the ‘Gideon’s Bible’ approach as having emergency value only but being a poor model for pastoral care. Certainly the approach can and is used insensitively by some but we must not throw the baby out with the bath water. Such an approach has a long and honourable tradition both within wisdom literature, ethical lists mentioned in the epistles and in the history of the church. I am sorry that the total neglect of the Bible by many did not receive equal attention. Positively, the use of the Bible as a diagnostic tool and the value of reflecting on its images and themes in relation to one’s own experience were helpfully explored.

The pastoral care offered by many ministers is superficial and the number and complexity of problems which now confront them threatens to be overwhelming. This dictionary will certainly be of great service to all pastors. It will provide a handy reference work to areas which are new to them and stretch their understanding in areas which are already familiar.