The main strength of Ronald Mack’s The Basics of Hospital Chaplaincy is its discussion of training and preparation for chaplaincy. He asks, “Where does a hospital chaplain find a perfect example for his/her role? The answer is clearly found in the person of Jesus Christ” (24). Then he goes on to note how the vocation of chaplain mirrors Jesus’s ministry to persons who were “sick, needy, and hurting.” He also stresses the importance of preparing for patient visits, suggesting chaplains have verses of scripture, quotes, poems and stories from which to mine. But also he stresses the importance of listening and empathy. Finally he suggests that one “must have a heart for Jesus in order to have the heart of Jesus for others.”