1. Sharing Christ’s Love with the Dying.
Making Disciples
Sharing Christ’s Love with the Dying.

2. 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.”

3. First Things Some Assumptions We’re talking about Death and Dying
Personal Responses

4. Context
Who are you?
Role?
Questions / Concerns / Issues

5. 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!

6. 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

7. Expectations
Your own
The dying person
The dying person’s family

8. What not to do…

9. Roadscape No clear road necessarily Land Marks
Emotional Rollercoaster
Ever changing road / journey
Loss (MRSFIR)
Grief & Bereavement
How do we traverse the track ?

10. 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

11. 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, pp85-92

12. Spiritual Needs Meaning & Purpose Giving Love Receiving Love Hope
Creativity
Forgiveness

13. The VINE Project
Proclamation
Prayer
People
Perseverance

14. 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: Revelation 21:1-5

15. 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

16. People You Pastoral Care Teams Local Clergy Local Churches
Faithful people in your church
Meals
Cards / Phone Calls
Home Visits
Practical Assistance

17. 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

18. The VINE Project
Engage
Evangelise
Establish (New & Growing)
Equip

19. Engage Address Pastoral Needs Assess Spiritual needs
Connect to Pastoral Support

20. Evangelise The wrong way The right way The Funeral Grief & Bereavement
Creating Conversation
Asking the hard questions
The Funeral
Grief & Bereavement

21. 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

22. 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

24. 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.