Even though people begin to look and act normal after the death of a loved one, grief is their constant companion for a long, long time. And if you are not talking with them about the grief and the story behind it, you may miss opportunities for ministry that can help these individuals make their way through the healing process. Here are five common mistakes pastors make, … [Read more...]
“Complicated grief” and how a church can help
What is “complicated grief”? For a grieving person, grief is the 24/7 awareness of the tragedy that’s befallen him or her. It’s the thought that keeps running through that person’s mind, saying, “My wife died, my husband died, my daughter died.” The person can still function but carries the grief wherever he or she goes. It still lingers without much movement or progress two … [Read more...]
Post-abortion counseling
It is estimated that 43 percent of women under the age of forty-five have had an abortion. One in six women in the evangelical Christian church is post-abortive.1 We live in a culture that idolizes personal choice and convenience, and as a result, more women than we are aware of are dealing with the aftereffects of abortion. Because of this, we have to know how to minister to … [Read more...]
Don’t take grief (or any other significant experience) on as an identity
About five years ago, our team began working on the third edition of the GriefShare program. To put that program together I interviewed a number of people who’d lost loved ones. Some of the people I spoke with had processed their grief and were moving forward with their lives. Others seemed stuck—unable to move forward. If you know someone who is grieving, consider sharing … [Read more...]
Receiving God’s grace in your grief
An Interview with Elizabeth W. D. Groves On February 5, 2007, J. Alan Groves, professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary, lost a battle with melanoma. His wife, Elizabeth, eventually wrote about their yearlong struggle in Grief Undone: A Journey with God and Cancer.1 She graciously shared with us some of what she learned through their horrible trial. We … [Read more...]