Agents of Hope: a Pastoral Psychology

Donald Capps argues convincingly in this compelling book that, while for other professionals hope is a by-product of what they do, for ministers hope is at the core of their activity. Indeed, hope is often all that ministers can offer, thus confirming that what ministers are doing is what they ought to be doing. Capp's book provides a dynamic interpretation of hope. He shows how human hope originates in life and he illustrates the three major threats against hope: despair, apathy, and shame. This account leads Capps to discern the three major allies of hope: trust, patience, and modesty. Finally, he provides two reframing techniques - future visioning and revising the pastthat are especially supportive of hope.