Surviving a Family Member's Suicide
Through Christian Counseling
For the first time, more dentists volunteered than there were chairs available
Students moved by residents need for support
Plus, several public evangelism campaigns bear fruit; tithe increase largest in NAD
Community comes to the rescue of aged Chicago member
The statistics are startling, heartbreaking and deeply concerning. Tragically, in 2017, suicide claimed the lives of over 47,000 people, and was the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S. overall, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports. Yet the numbers only hint at the profound emotional pain felt by those who take their own lives. Many of us want to know: How can we help those who hurt so much? How can we stop a suicide
Beverly Murphy entered her college freshman year full of promise, only to have her hopes dashed. At 19, she was raped and later discovered she was pregnant. “I was utterly devastated by the trauma,” she relates in an interview more than four decades later.
Jen Bolejack is a go-getter who juggles the schedules of three kids (from toddler to teen), regularly serves during worship service (behind a keyboard and mic), and continues her music ministry by giving lessons. A life-changing event this time last year, though, would stop her in her tracks.
Everyone is busy these days. Retirees, young children — and most in-between — can feel pulled from different directions with all sorts of demands requiring time and energy. Your pastor/ministerial couple is no exception. You may think you know what they’re juggling, but do you truly understand how much many of them travel, break up squabbles, smooth over hurts, counsel marriages, prevent suicides, coordinate events, act as PR reps, conduct human resource duties, manage projects, financially advise, serve as child caregivers, advocate for social justice, recruit, lend funds, respond to mechanical/maintenance calls, and wrestle in prayer over you and your burdens?
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During the course of one’s career, there are usually highlights that stand out in your mind where you feel that what you did, or were a part of, really made a difference. Such were the thoughts of a retired Union treasurer when he reminisced about the part he had in establishing the revolving fund in his territory in the mid-1970s. “Of all that I accomplished, that is what I am most proud of! What a blessing the revolving fund has been for our organizations over the years!”
Pastor Appreciation Month was established in 1992 by a group of pastors and church leaders to honor those who serve in ministry. They grounded the celebration in Paul’s words to Timothy: The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching (1 Tim. 5:17). In honor of our pastors, I’d like to share a story about how they ministered to our family last summer in a way we will never forget.
This Post Is About That One Time I Got A Chance To Chill With Kawhi and LeBron. Did I say chill with? Oh, my bad, I meant to say “chill like.” Yeah, chill like. That’s better. So, what had happened was, I made a decision to go on a sabbatical. Right? Because I was burned out. My mind and body were just — OFF.
Pastor’s appreciation month is fraught with perils as people often don’t believe the hours that pastors work, yet they and their families are held to high standards that are hard to reach for the best among us
