Christology of the Family by Rev. Michael Lessard, is a heartfelt call to reclaim the essence of Christian community through the lens of family and pastoral care. Lessard challenges us to see that the heart of the Gospel isn’t programs or buildings but the simple, profound act of caring for one another as Jesus did . Across eight chapters, he weaves theology with real-life moments—as a hospital chaplain, a husband, and a parent—to show how pastoral care springs from the incarnational love of Christ and flows through every sacrament .
At its core, this book teaches that every believer—baptized into Christ—carries the ministry of care. Lessard insists that caring isn’t an optional add-on; it’s the very tie that binds the church together, from the family dinner table to the Eucharistic feast. His big lesson? When we heed Jesus’ example—listening, blessing, forgiving, healing—we don’t just build communities; we become living sacraments of God’s love.
“I hope you have gotten some insight into God’s care and love for you. It is my prayer that you will grow in love by reading and reflecting on what you have heard, seen, and felt by sharing my experience of pastoral care ministry. It is important at this time and with the stresses Christians are under to examine the direction that the Holy Spirit is leading us. I trust that my words and experiences have been an encouragement to you in your journey with Christ.”
—Christology of the Family, Final Thoughts, Straight from a Pastor’s Heart…, p. 103.
Dive into Pastoral Care Theology
Lessard doesn’t hide behind academic jargon—he’s right there in the trenches with us. Chapter by chapter, he recounts late-night hospital visits where a raised hand speaks of Jesus’ presence, tender adoption scenes that mirror our baptism into God’s family, and vestry meetings that reveal how caring can reshape church culture .
We meet “the lab” of active listening training, where small groups dare to open their hearts, and we’re invited into theological reflection that turns personal stories into shared wisdom. From the Garden of Gethsemane to the family meal, each section feels like a conversation over coffee—honest, encouraging, and practical .
By the time you close the book, you’ve walked through Scripture with Lessard’s seasoned voice guiding you to see that pastoral care isn’t a sideline ministry but the very pulse of Christ’s Body. You’ll finish with tools to bless your spouse at the dinner table, forgive as Jesus forgives, and lead your church community into deeper, more authentic unity.
About The Author
The Rev. Michael Lessard is president of Pastoral Care Associates, training chaplains for hospitals across Arizona. An Anglican priest with the Anglican Mission in the Americas, he’s served as parish associate, vicar, and rector before dedicating himself to chaplaincy . He’s married to Dorothy, with three adult children and one grandchild, and draws on decades of pastoral experience to speak both with theological insight and down-to-earth warmth.
Lessard’s voice is shaped by real moments—late-night hospital vigils, small group labs in active listening, and countless clergy conferences that birthed this work. His goal is simple: to refocus the Church on Jesus’ ministry of caring, showing that every believer is called to be a living reflection of God’s compassionate heart.
If you’re ready to embark on a journey that’s as much about self-discovery as it is about rediscovering the Church as God’s family, Christology of the Family is a must-read. The book invites you to open your heart to Jesus’ incarnational care, practice the sacraments in your home, and transform your community through simple acts of love.
Christology of the Family
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Christology of the Family
Christology of the Family is about learning to care for one another as Christ cares for us. The heart of the gospel is centered on the caring love of God. The incarnation, atonement, Word of God, the sacraments, and the church itself, would not exist without God’s redemptive care for each of us. The calling of a disciple is to care, and it comes straight from the heart of God through the work of the Holy Spirit, who gifts us in ways to care for the lost, the suffering, and the brokenhearted. The family has been affected by our culture…