Sharing Christ’s Love with the Dying. Making Disciples Sharing Christ’s Love with the Dying.
John 14:1-6 1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
First Things Some Assumptions We’re talking about Death and Dying Personal Responses
Context Who are you? Role? Questions / Concerns / Issues
Death and Dying in Society Our society worships health, youth and beauty We do not want to discuss, let alone see, or experience death We hide it away We use euphemisms! Don’t use euphemisms!
Know what you’re role is Ministry Roles Chaplains Clergy Pastoral Care Teams Lay Ministry Know why you’re there Know what you’re role is
Expectations Your own The dying person The dying person’s family
What not to do…
Roadscape No clear road necessarily Land Marks Emotional Rollercoaster Ever changing road / journey Loss (MRSFIR) Grief & Bereavement How do we traverse the track ?
the grief that does not speak “Give sorrow words, the grief that does not speak knits up the o’er-wrought heart and bids it break.” William Shakespeare, Macbeth
Pastoral Needs of the Dying Expressing Feelings Overcoming Loneliness To have Meaning in the Present To know that One’s Life has been Meaningful Consistent Messages Regaining Control Continue to feel Useful Spiritual Needs Letting Go! D. Switzer., Pastoral Care Emergencies, Fortress Press, 2000 pp85-92
Spiritual Needs Meaning & Purpose Giving Love Receiving Love Hope Creativity Forgiveness
The VINE Project Proclamation Prayer People Perseverance
Proclaiming God’s Word Does not mean… Does mean… Be ready (1 Peter 3:15) Be creative (Storytelling, Song, Hymn, Rite, Art, Music, Images, Smell) Helpful passages… Psalm 23 Psalm 31:15 Psalm 88 Psalm 121 Luke 23 John 14:1-6 Romans 5:1-11 Romans 8: 18-39 Hebrews 6:19 Revelation 21:1-5
Prayer Before and after a visit Praying with the dying person and their family Ask what they would like prayer for Pray about spiritual things Praying in church
People You Pastoral Care Teams Local Clergy Local Churches Faithful people in your church Meals Cards / Phone Calls Home Visits Practical Assistance
Perseverance The Short game The Long game Immediate Care & Ritual Sharing scripture Prayer The Long game Home visits 3 months, 6 months, 12 months 2 years
The VINE Project Engage Evangelise Establish (New & Growing) Equip
Engage Address Pastoral Needs Assess Spiritual needs Connect to Pastoral Support
Evangelise The wrong way The right way The Funeral Grief & Bereavement Creating Conversation Asking the hard questions The Funeral Grief & Bereavement
Establish Address the pastoral needs Remind them of the gospel Address doubts & crises – Re-assurance Affirm gospel truths (1 Cor 15:3-6) Affirm godliness Focus on Christ Look to promises of God (Rev 21) Explore what it means to: Die well Have hope Be Real Be authentic Be Other Centres
Equip What does it mean to: Die well Live out faith Witness to others or share their hope with others Making Choices: Funeral, Readings, Godliness Pass on lessons learned to others
Conclusion John 3:16-17 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.