Imagine . . . an interconnected group of people who entrust themselves to each other. You can speak of your pain, and someone responds with compassion and prayer. You can speak of your joys, and someone rejoices with you. You can ask for help with sinful struggles, and someone prays with you.

The goal of this book is that these meaningful relationships will become a natural part of daily life in your church. With short chapters and discussion questions meant to be read in a group setting, Ed Welch guides small groups through eight lessons that show what it looks like when ordinary, needy people care for other ordinary, needy people in everyday life.

Read Chapter 1

Author

Edward T. Welch (PhD, University of Utah) is a counselor and faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation. He has been counseling for more than 35 years and has written extensively on the topics of depression, fear, and addictions. His books include When People Are Big and God Is Small, Crossroads: A Step-by-Step Guide Away From Addiction, Running Scared: Fear, Worry and the God of Rest, Shame Interrupted, and Side by Side. He blogs regularly at CCEF.org.

Endorsements

“Most Christians know we should care for one another. But few of us know how. Seasoned biblical counselor and author Ed Welch not only gifts us with the how, but, like a great chef, serves it up in eight concise, biblically true, and richly wise courses. Each brief chapter can be read aloud to a group and is accompanied by heart-piercing, eye-opening discussion questions. This is a book that can shape the culture of our churches to be safe places of wise mutual care. I heartily recommend!”

-  Alfred J. Poirier, Visiting Professor in Practical Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary, Glenside, Pennsylvania; author, The Peacemaking Pastor

“Nearly every Christian has experienced awkwardness in the local church. At one time or another, we have felt ignored, misunderstood, or out of place. The church may be the body of Christ, but we don't always function as well as we should. In Caring for One Another, Ed Welch gives us thoroughly biblical and entirely practical direction to facilitate more meaningful interactions in our churches. In the space of eight short lessons, we learn our need to move toward people and find ourselves equipped to reach out to them in loving and genuinely helpful ways. Whether you read this book alone or study it in a group, you will close the last page with renewed energy for building relationships in your church.”

-  Megan Hill, author, Praying Together and Contentment; Editor, The Gospel Coalition

“One of God’s chosen ways to help people is through the care and concern of fellow Christians. In our busy world with its superficial relationships, many have abandoned this calling and left it to professionals to do the work ordinary Christians could be doing to help others. Through easy-to-follow practical guidelines, Ed Welch shows how we can remedy this and make our churches into caring communities. This kind of caring can be a means God uses not only to bless Christians but also to commend the Christian way to those outside the church.”

-  Ajith Fernando, Teaching Director, Youth for Christ, Sri Lanka; author, Discipling in a Multicultural World

“This is a short book, but one that packs a powerful punch. Ed Welch has given us a user-friendly guide for our churches to grow together as we seek to better care for one another. I love that the lessons are meant to be read aloud and discussed among church members. I’m already envisioning various groups of people I can read this book with in our congregation. Buy this book. Better yet, buy a case of books and pass it out in your church. And even better than that, get groups of people within your church reading it together. The impact of this book could have far-reaching effects in our churches as we seek to love one another in a way that shines the spotlight on Christ.”

-  Dave Furman, Senior Pastor, Redeemer Church of Dubai; author, Kiss the Wave and Being There