Not Just a Soup Kitchen

I  came to salvation in an inner-city CRC church plant in Paterson, NJ and since 1988 I have served as Mercy Minister at Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia. In that ministry I have trained hundreds and hundreds of deacons and others across the USA. Whenever I consult with pastors and deacons, I hear such questions as, “What are my biblical responsibilities? How much do I give and when do I stop? How do I deal with difficult people? How do I avoid burn out”? That is why I wrote "Not Just a Soup Kitchen." This book addresses the needs of these ordained servants and others who are actively involved in ministries of mercy and compassion. It is a how-to book helping people to work smarter in ministries of mercy and compassion. It also includes a helpful chapter from CRC's out-of-print book, Servant Leaders by Ben VandeZande.

This book is for churches that are desperately seeking answers on how to do effective diaconal ministry. It is also for anyone who works with people ordinarily stigmatized and not welcomed in churches. The book will help readers come alongside those in need, and chronicles stories about homeless and addicted men and women, nursing home residents, prison inmates, and others, while providing a user-friendly guide to establishing relationships.

"Not Just a Soup Kitchen" will be available September 16 on amazon.com and cbd.com in print and for kindle, nook, and other e-book versions. Among the book's endorsers are Philip Ryken, Tony Campolo, Peter Lillback, John Perkins, Ron Sider, Liam Goligher and Bill Krispin.