Pastor, it hurts.
Any pastor in any denomination can tell you that those are familiar words we hear following the death of a loved one. To lose one’s partner in life after 50, 60 or even 70 years of marriage leaves a hole and void that can never be filled.
To hear from parents: “Pastor, it’s not supposed to be this way. Parents are not supposed to bury their children,” truly pull at any pastor’s heart.
Many years ago, someone was sharing with me how tremendous all her friends had been to her following the sudden death of her husband. But, her comment to me really made me stop and think — that as great as everyone was, she was still the one who would walk into an empty house when she got home.
Wow! How often do we ever think of that?
As a pastor, it is impossible for me, or any pastor, to walk beside everyone in my congregation, following a death in their family. As much as I and any pastor would love to be beside that person, it is humanly impossible for us to do so during the entire grieving process and still tend to the many other members of our congregation who are in need.
That is why I am so thankful that Hope began a ministry called GRIEFSHARE. GRIEFSHARE is a grief-recovery support group that assists you in your journey from mourning to joy. This special ministry is led by members of Hope’s Stephen Ministry, who are trained in compassionate, Christian care-giving and seek the opportunity to walk beside those who are grieving and hurting. The people leading GRIEFSHARE who understand what you are going through and want to offer comfort and encouragement during this time.
Each GRIEFSHARE session includes a video seminar and group discussion. Each video session features interviews with leading authors, counselors, speakers and pastors with years of expertise in grief recovery. Topics include “Living with Grief,” “The Effects of Grief,” “Your Family and Grief,” “God’s Prescription for Grief,” “Stuck in Grief” and more.
This 13-week class begins at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 27, at Hope Lutheran Church, 2001 North Park Road, Plant City.
If you are struggling following the recent death of a family member or friend or still struggling with a death that occurred some time ago and are looking for that strength to face each day, I encourage you to join us.
Should you have any question, feel free to contact our GRIEFSHARE coordinator, Deaconess Lyn, at (813) 752-4622.
May God bless your journey from mourning to joy.
The Rev. Dean R. Pfeffer is the senior pastor at Hope Lutheran Church, Plant City. For more, email him at hopepcpastor@gmail.com.