Equipping the Church with Grief Ministry Skills
A Grief Ministry Skills Workbook
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
There is a need for grief ministry within the present culture because we live in a culture that avoids grief. The truth is that a lasting state of mourning and grief are unaceptable in our culture, with it only being acceptable for a short time. Although we live in a grief avoidant culture, we are bombarded with death, both real and fictional. Real death occurs all around us, whether it be those we lose within our families, or those deaths we are exposed to through media. We are also exposed to mulitple forms of fictional death as we watch television or movies, or play video games. We live in a culture of death that we cannot escape, yet we live in a grief avoidant society in which we try to escape death.
While living in a culture of death that is grief avoidant, there is great opportunity for ministry. The main message of the Bible is that the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ brings hope to a world in desperate need. As the church, we can carry hope to a world that cannot avoid death, no matter how hard it tries. The gospel is the answer for the world's hopelessness. As it was with Christ, death can potentially give Christians an open door for ministry to the bereaved.
With the door for ministry wide open, the professionals and laity alike need to increase their knowledge of the field of grief and improve their skills in this valuable area of ministry. This book can provide vital education to the leaders and laity, and equip them to be better ministers to the bereaved.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
This project is a training tool for Christian leaders to educate and equip leader and laity alike with the knowledge of the field of grief, and to equip them to improve their ministry to the bereaved. This book can be used by denominational leaders, conventions, and church leaders to train pastors, deacons, and lay leaders in grief ministry skills. The book examines the theological dimensions of death and grief, as well as the theoretical foundations of grief, both normal grief and complicated. Also, the book identifies essential grief ministry skills and the practical application of those skills. The book is both educational and practical. This book can be used in a seminary class room, or can be used by associations to develop the grief ministry skills of its local pastors. This book can also be used in the local church to equip deacons and lay leaders to better minister to its congregants.
This book holds value for its commitment to examining the field of grief, while holding to Christian principles. Most literature that combines the knowledge of grief and Christian principles either prepares a person for counseling or ministers to the person that has experienced loss. This book can in fact assist those studying for a career in grief counseling, and at the same time help those experiencing loss. The intention of the author is help the professional as well as the layman prepare for grief ministry and develop specific skills to assist them in their ability to minister to the bereaved.
About the Author
Dr. Michael D. Baker is bi-vocational Christian minister and hospice chaplain. He has served as a Baptist minister in churches for over 20 years, and as a hospice chaplain/bereavement coordinator for more than 5 years. Dr. Baker earned his undergraduate degrees from both Mississippi State University (B.A.) and Blue Mountain College (B.S.). He also earned both his Master of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS). This book is product of his research and writing for his final project; Equipping Members of Lowrey Memorial Baptist Church with Grief Ministry Skills. Dr. Baker is thankful for the opportunity to serve as pastor and a hospice chaplain, sharing the love of Christ with those that cross his path. Dr. Baker’s life motto comes from Scripture Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”