Date: Friday, July 31, 2009

BISHOP OFFERS PRACTICAL HELP IN MINISTRY TO THE GRIEVING: Joe Pennel’s latest book provides spiritual insight into a difficult role

After over forty years of his life spent in serving the church, Bishop Joe E. Pennel, Jr. is offering to clergy and laity The Gift of Presence. This book combines practical “how-to’s” that Pennel has used in his own experiences with those who suffer.

Bishop Pennel notes, “I have seen people suffer as a result of illness, broken relationships, moral failure, the loss of a loved one, and the loss of income. These experiences have caused me to reflect on the meaning of suffering in both theoretical and practical ways.”

With The Gift of Presence others can benefit from Pennel’s experience. The book serves as a resource to those reaching out to the hurting by providing practical suggestions and addressing common questions that arise about the theology of the relationship between God, humans, and suffering.

Early praise for The Gift of Presence:

“It is both practical and contemplative, encouraging the reader to remember why we are in ministry but also to pay attention to how we engage in ministry. Frankly it would have been a wonderful book to receive before I started making hospital visits as a new pastor.” – Rev. Barbara Miner, Associate Pastor, Floris United Methodist Church, Herndon, Virginia

“I found [The Gift of Presence] to be a concisely written, compassionately expressed, extremely helpful tool for anyone in relationship with someone suffering.” – Rev. Lori Lampert, Lead Associate Pastor, Schweitzer United Methodist Church, Springfield, Missouri


Joe E. Pennel Jr. was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. He graduated from Lambuth University and Vanderbilt University Divinity School. From 1988 - 1996, he was the senior pastor at Brentwood United Methodist Church. In 1996, while serving in Brentwood, he was elected to the episcopacy and was assigned Bishop of the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Pennel served as the much revered Resident Bishop of Virginia for eight years. Now retired, he continues to serve as a vibrant teacher, preacher, and member of the Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville. Joe and his wife Janene reside in Franklin, Tennessee. He is also the author of God, Cornbread, and Elvis (Common Thread Media).


About Abingdon Press

Abingdon Press is the publishing imprint for The United Methodist Publishing House. Abingdon Press has a distinguished record in religious publishing for a broad ecumenical audience and specializes in products for church leaders, as well as scholars and students engaged in theological education and the practice of ministry. Abingdon Press offers a wide array of quality academic, professional, reference, and devotional titles published each year.

Related Links:
  • The Gift of Presence by Joe E. Pennel, Jr.
    • | Back to News |


    | Home | Pastoral Resources | Music Resources |
    | Children's Resources | Youth Resources | Adult Resources |
    | Spiritual Growth Resources | Academic Resources | Biblical Resources |