Local Church Leader And Funerals - Essay Example

Local Church Leader And Funerals Introduction: Funerals and weddings are some of the major rituals in the contemporary society whereby virtually everybody participates in them. Both of these rituals involve family members, and both of these rituals are also held within the church. Unlike wedding ceremonies, funerals are not always anticipated, or are they planned for. Funerals normally come suddenly, and they give the grieved a little time to prepare for them. Family members and friends who are always overwhelmed by grieve, are only inclined to follow the traditions and customs regarding the planning of a funeral service1. Scholar denotes that funeral services are of utmost importance to Christians. This is because these funeral services are rooted from the principles of the bible. For instance, Moses, one of the greatest prophets of God, was given a decent burial by God. This is contained in Deuteronomy Chapter 34 verses 6, whereby the bible denotes that God buried Moses in the land of Moab, which was opposite Beth-Peor2. However, no individual knows the exact place of burial. This paper gives a discussion on the concept that preparing and conducting funeral services outside the church is of a great challenge to local church leaders. This paper also analyzes the fact that in as much as it is a great challenge to local church leaders, it is also an opportunity for these leaders to evangelize or conduct mission activities3. Atheists: One of the most challenging aspects when it comes to conducting funerals to non-believers is the fact that some of them do not believe in God or on life after death. For example, in John Chapter 6 verses 40, the bible denotes that the will of God, the father is that everyone who looks unto the Son, and believes in the Son, will have eternal life, and such a person will be raised up on the last day4. This is one of the major tenets of Christianity, and it is further reinforced by the fact that Christians believed that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was raised up from the dead. For instance, in 1st Peter Chapter 1verses 3, the bible denotes that God, who is the father of Jesus Christ was able to raise Jesus Christ from death, and on this basis, God has begotten us, and given us hope. Based on these scriptures therefore, the resurrection is an important belief amongst Christians5. However, atheists and non-believers do not believe in God, nor his son Jesus Christ, and on this basis, it is very challenging for a Christian leader to conduct a funeral service amongst the non believers. Scholar denotes that Christian leaders who normally speak about the resurrection of Christ, and of the dead, in a funeral service of a non believer, always risk being jeered at, abused, or even shouted at6. Due to these intimidations and hostilities, local church leaders are unable to effectively conduct funeral services to the non-believers. Intimidation and Hostilities: It is important to understand that intimidation and hostilities are not a new phenomenon in the Christian lives7. This is because in the bible, so many believers and Christians were killed because of their faith and belief in God’s son, Jesus Christ8. For example, in Acts chapter 7 verses 59, the bible denotes that non-believers stoned Stephen to death, and while he was dying, he cried to Jesus telling him to receive his spirit. This persecution of the church is further seen in Acts Chapter 8 verses 3, whereby Saul, continued persecuting the church, and every believer, entering into houses and putting Christians into prison. On this basis, it would require a lot of courage, and great faith for a local church leader to conduct a funeral service for a non-believer9. Another challenge emanates when giving out testimony concerning the non-believer. Most funeral programs normally require a local church leader to give out a testimony concerning the life and practices of the deceased. This might always be uncomfortable for the preacher, and this is because the deceased might have been a violent person. Honesty and Integrity: Giving such kind of a testimony to the bereaved members of the family and friends might be very difficult. On this basis, the local church leader might be forced to tell a lie, and this is against the principles of the bible10. For example in Leviticus Chapter 19 verses 11, the bible prohibits an individual from lying, or stealing, or dealing falsely with one another. Other verses that prohibit a Christian from telling lies include Proverbs 13:5, Proverbs 12:22, Hosea 11:12, Acts 5:3, Ephesians 4:29, etc11. On this basis, under these circumstances, a local church leader will always be faced with a difficult situation, but he should always stand firm by the principles contained in the bible, no matter what the consequences will be. It is important to denote that as a church leader, honesty is of utmost importance. This will play a great role in bringing new members into the church. Heaven and Hell: Another issue is also on the concept of hell and heaven12. Christians believe that a non-believe will always go to hell, and while a place is reserved for a believer in heaven. For example in Philippians Chapter 3 verses 20, the bible denotes that the citizenship of Christians is in Heaven, and Christians eagerly wait for the coming of Lord Jesus. On the other hand, Mathew Chapter 25 verses 46 denote that the eternal place of punishment for non-believers is hell, but the righteous will have eternal life13. Giving these kinds of messages to the bereaved is always challenging, and difficult. This is because of the emotional and mental state of the bereaved, which might be unable to clearly understand the preaching of the local church leader. It is important to understand that in as much as the local church minister cannot lie for the bereaved or their family, it is important for the church leader to dignify the grief14. Dignifying Grief: Through this concept, the church minister will encourage the family members and friends of the deceased to grief in a manner that they feel appropriate, and in a manner that will show respect to the deceased person. This would help in removing stress and psychological trauma that family members of the deceased might be having, after the funeral is over. Furthermore, it is important to understand that the bereaved normally mourn for their dead even after the funeral program is over15. On this basis, the local church minister has to develop a program that would help him monitor the lives of these people, and encourage them, for purposes of winning them over to the church16. It is important to understand that this process is long, and it might take several months before the local church minister begins seeing results. Based on this fact, there is a need of the church ministers being patient17. This aspect of patience is most challenging, and this is because non-believers might turn out to be abusive, or even challenge the local church minister on the reliability of their faith. However, scholar denotes that a church minister should not be afraid of intimidation nor abuses, as long as it would result to winning converts to the church18. This is because the bible in James Chapter 1 verses 12 denotes that a man is blessed when they are tempted, and endure the temptation, for they will receive the crown of life, which Jesus Christ promised to those that love him. Intimidation, and abuses are part and parcel of temptations, and it is the duty of a local church minister to endure them, in case they want to win non-believers to Christianity19. Furthermore, Galatians Chapter 5 verses 22 denote that the fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, peace and self-control. On this basis, the local church minister must be guided by these principles while waiting patiently for the bereaved non believers to recover, in order to lead them to Christianity20. Large Congregation and Audience: Funerals also present an avenue where there is a large congregation of people, who are not believers. This is a great opportunity for the local church ministers to evangelize and proclaim the gospel to the non believers. It is important to denote that preaching and proclamation of the gospel is one of the most important commissions of a Christian believer21. For instance, in Mathew Chapter 28 verses 19-20, Jesus while ascending to heaven, ordered his disciples to go all over then nations, baptizing people in the name of God the father, God the son, and God the Holy Spirit. This verse further goes on to denote that the disciples of Jesus are supposed to teach non believers to observe everything that he has commanded them, and God will always be with them, to the very end. On this basis, the local church minister will take advantage of the assembled congregation, and there after preach the gospel to them. It is important to understand that there should not be any signs of fear, and this is because the spirit of God, which resides in the church leader, is not of fear, but Gods spirit is full of power, love and sound mind (2nd Timothy Chapter 1 verses 7)22. Conclusion: In conclusion, there are numerous challenges that local church leaders face while ministering in funeral programs of non believers. As discussed earlier, non-believers do not believe in God, and hence it is very difficult to use the scriptures for purposes of administering to them. From this paper, we are able to learn that Christians might face intimidation, and abuses while conducted a funeral program for a non-believer. This is because the local church leader will not compromise on telling the truth about the activities of the non-believer. However, it is important to understand that a Christian church leader should be sensitive on the grieve of the bereaved during this time. The leader should act in a manner that he shows respect to the family members of the bereaved. This is because during this time, the bereaved are stressed and some of them suffer from depression because of their loss. This time is also a perfect period for evangelization, and this is because the local church leader will get an opportunity to speak about the gospel to the non believers. Bibliography: Carr, Wesley. 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