Fourth funeral this year today
Another funeral today. This time its for a long time member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The poor man had Alzheimer's for quite some time. He leaves behind a mourning widow and an eleven year old grandson who they have raised as their own. Their son is in prison.

The cost of the funeral is such a burden for this poor family. It is so hard to watch these people suffer so much.

Our community experiences so much grief. Many of the same elderly people attend the funerals I officiate. They watch as childhood friends die and know that their turn is only a matter of time.

An old definition of pastoral ministry is "preparing people for a good death." In this community it is certainly true. Yet I think all pastoral ministry should be informed by death both ours and others. We will all die and we as pastors will be replaced. But as a husband, as a father, as a son, as a friend, we will never be replaced. So what roles in our lives are the most important?