The death of a loved one can be devastating, leaving survivors to struggle through a grieving process that can go on for years. For many, moving on means coping with loss but never forgetting it.
Central United Church (http://centralchurch.ca/) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is reaching out to people with the hope and love of Christ and helping them through such trying times with a ministry called Good Grief. The group, which meets every two weeks, provides information about the grieving process and offers people an opportunity to share what they are going through and hear from others who are grieving as well.
The Good Grief group also has helped people in a time of great despair turn to the Lord and put their faith in Him.
What is your church doing to reach people in times of grief and despair? What resources have you found helpful?
Post your comments here.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Transition: Divorce
Although God hates divorce, his love certainly extends to those who endure the breakup of their marriages and the grief, anger, loneliness and other feelings that accompany it. Many people who have experienced divorce may fear being judged or looked down upon at a church, but Rancho Community Church (http://RanchoCommunity.org/) in Temecula, Calif., emphasizes letting people know they can come as they are.
The church uses DivorceCare’s 13-week program to reach out and minister to men and women struggling to cope with issues like anger, depression, forgiveness, finances and divorce’s effects on children. Hundreds of people from the surrounding community and within the church have participated, including some who have accepted Christ as Savior as a result of the program.
Is your church reaching out to people struggling with divorce and its effects? How are you ministering to them? What resources have you found helpful?
Post your comments here.
The church uses DivorceCare’s 13-week program to reach out and minister to men and women struggling to cope with issues like anger, depression, forgiveness, finances and divorce’s effects on children. Hundreds of people from the surrounding community and within the church have participated, including some who have accepted Christ as Savior as a result of the program.
Is your church reaching out to people struggling with divorce and its effects? How are you ministering to them? What resources have you found helpful?
Post your comments here.
Transition: Parenting
Welcoming children into the world sets new moms and dads on a life course that will be filled with multiple transitions for which they may not be prepared. Providing practical and spiritual guidance to churched and unchurched parents as they experience those transitions is the objective of a ministry to families at 2,500-attendee Wheaton Bible Church (http://WheatonBible.org/) in Illinois.
The ministry is rooted in the concept that the family is the most authentic community that exists. To help parents, the church offers regular workshops on topics such as sex and dating, educational choices, managing busy family schedules and helping kids become missionaries at public schools.
The church also hosts an annual conference that covers the purpose of families, biblical parenting and discipline, and the ministry reaches out to single parents with a special program every Monday night.
What is your church doing to help parents at different stages of their children’s lives get through different transitions? What resources have you found helpful?
Post your comments here.
The ministry is rooted in the concept that the family is the most authentic community that exists. To help parents, the church offers regular workshops on topics such as sex and dating, educational choices, managing busy family schedules and helping kids become missionaries at public schools.
The church also hosts an annual conference that covers the purpose of families, biblical parenting and discipline, and the ministry reaches out to single parents with a special program every Monday night.
What is your church doing to help parents at different stages of their children’s lives get through different transitions? What resources have you found helpful?
Post your comments here.
Transition: Job Loss
With a financial crisis gripping the nation and unemployment on the rise, many people are finding themselves in the unexpected and unwanted transition of looking for work after losing their jobs. Churches may find a receptive audience by offering to help.
West Conroe Baptist Church (http://WCBC.us/), a 1,700-member congregation about 45 miles north of Houston, is reaching out to its community with its Careers in Transition ministry. Every Monday night, volunteers from varied backgrounds help job seekers discern the right jobs for them and hone skills like resume writing, interview preparation, online job searches and networking.
Friendly volunteers who pray with the unemployed before beginning to help them and a spirit of Christ-like service have drawn some who have received assistance to become West Conroe members.
What is your church doing to minister to the unemployed in your community? What resources have you found helpful?
Post your comments here.
Transition: Marriage
Marriage is a hot topic these days as several states consider propositions to maintain its traditional definition, with Christians engaging in the political process as a result. Meanwhile, churches can play a significant role in the strength of marriages now and after the election season by helping couples navigate the transition to marriage.
Residents of the Kenai Peninsula in central Alaska have seen firsthand the effect a premarital preparation ministry can have thanks to the Marriage Savers program an associate pastor at 225-member Peninsula Grace Brethren Church (http://peninsulagrace.org/) in Soldotna, Alaska, began using about seven years ago. The program includes a compatibility test to evaluate each prospective bride’s and groom’s spiritual beliefs, marital expectations, finances, plans for children and other issues. Couples also are paired with skilled mentor couples to help them through the transition.
Although some couples who go through the program decide not to get married, Marriage Savers has helped others get started on the right foot as they begin their life together.
Scott Marshall
Associate Editor
How does your church help engaged couples prepare for and adjust to married life? What resources have you found helpful? Post your comments here.
Residents of the Kenai Peninsula in central Alaska have seen firsthand the effect a premarital preparation ministry can have thanks to the Marriage Savers program an associate pastor at 225-member Peninsula Grace Brethren Church (http://peninsulagrace.org/) in Soldotna, Alaska, began using about seven years ago. The program includes a compatibility test to evaluate each prospective bride’s and groom’s spiritual beliefs, marital expectations, finances, plans for children and other issues. Couples also are paired with skilled mentor couples to help them through the transition.
Although some couples who go through the program decide not to get married, Marriage Savers has helped others get started on the right foot as they begin their life together.
Scott Marshall
Associate Editor
How does your church help engaged couples prepare for and adjust to married life? What resources have you found helpful? Post your comments here.
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