Everyone's Favorite Subject...?
I would like to share with you some thoughts on everyone’s favorite subject and that subject is death. I’m being flippant here but this is a topic that we seem to really shy away from instead of facing what will be a need for all of us.
The Brethren Leadership Institute on May 6th offered a practice of ministry day under the title of “Pastoral Care at the End of Life.” At the Mexico Church of the Brethren. I attended this event because as a pastor it’s part of what we are called to do. What I didn’t expect was the questions that it brought up for myself personally. Like why haven’t I made the arrangements that would make decisions at my time of need easier for those around me?
The sessions were led by John Schrock and Laura Stone who both have vast experience in Chaplaincy and Hospice settings. We gained insight and resources into the Hospice process as well as reasons to think about end-of-life care that we may face.
We looked at walking with survivors through the grieving process as well as some case studies on family dynamics etc. that come with end-of-life care. We thought about having a plan written out of what decisions we would want made on treatments like resuscitation, feeding tubes, respirators, etc.
The question for me still remained as to why haven’t I done some of these things myself? I see the importance and how much it would benefit the family when these decisions need to be made. I came to the conclusion that the reason it hasn’t happened is because it falls in the I really need to do that sometime and that sometime doesn’t seem to ever happen. Again, death is a subject that we just don’t give much time or thought toward.
With these thoughts in mind, I have decided to offer a workshop at my church that will allow people the chance to work through the decisions and issues that end of life can bring. If I offer an opportunity then it will be easier to not allow these decisions to go into the I really need to do that folder that never gets finished.
The practice of ministry day was really good and I would encourage you to attend them in the future. I would also encourage you to help facilitate discussions that can help others make the plans during a non-stress period of time instead of making them in the heat of the moment.
Erin Huiras
Pastor at Liberty Mills CoB
Brethren Leadership Institute Task Team Member