There's so much silence around suicide in the church that it is quite literally killing us." --Rachael Keefe Would you know how to respond if the person sitting next to you in your pew was contemplating suicide? Every year, millions of people engage in suicidal activity, including men, women, and young people in our faith communities. Yet the Church remains largely silent around the topics of mental health, depression, and suicide prevention. How can you and your faith community be prepared to recognize and respond to those struggling for their very lives in your church? In The Lifesaving Church, pastor Rachael Keefe shatters the taboo of suicide by sharing her own painful story of life-long depression and suicidality--and how her various faith communities responded, for better and for worse. Opening a window into her suicidal behaviors as a young person, Keefe helps us recognize the signs and struggles of those who suffer silently. Reminding us of the Church's call to be the Body of Christ for each other, Keefe empowers us to recognize the hurting in our communities and recover the lifesaving message of the Gospel-- forgiveness, acceptance and love--that helped her to heal. With chapters on how to educate your church in suicide prevention, group study reflections around the common questions surrounding suicide, and specific resources, scriptures, and prayers for clergy, suicide loss survivors, and those struggling with suicidality, The Lifesaving Church is critical reading for faith communities seeking abundant life for all of its members.
Barefoot Theology is a paradigm-shaking invitation for readers to engage with the language of faith. Not your typical theological dictionary, this book explores Christian faith with imagination and passion. You will not find obtuse, prosaic definitions. Instead you will discover creative, poetic imagery that will accompany you as you wrestle with your own faith seeking understanding.
This book invites the reader to experience Lent as a spiritual journey. It begins on Ash Wednesday with an invitation to engage with Christ, to have daily conversation with him, and to walk with him through the struggles and challenges of daily living. Each day offers a poetic, insightful meditation on Scripture verses that voice the human spirit's longing for the Holy Spirit. As the journey unfolds, the reader will experience the searing heat of the desert sun and the confusing shadows of the wilderness. The invitation to follow Christ, seek Christ, and be found by Christ leads the reader through the perils of the season with the promise of Easter morning. Those familiar with biblical texts will be drawn in by the vivid images and relevant messages of the poems. Similarly, those for whom biblical texts are less well-known, will find intriguing and accessible images that might even prompt a desire to learn more. Lay people and clergy across denominations will find comfort and challenge in the familiar being made new should they accept the invitation to follow Christ into the desert and the wilderness contained within us all, and persevere until the journey ends in resurrection.
This book invites the reader to experience Advent as a spiritual journey to Bethlehem, a journey from darkness to light. Each week explores the traditional themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love that are present throughout the season. It begins on the first Sunday of Advent inviting the reader to be open to new or unexpected encounters with God, to find the mystery and wonder so often missed in day-to-day life. Each daily meditation offers a poetic, insightful reflection on scripture verses that voice the human spirit's longing for the Holy Spirit--the continued struggle to find light in a dark world. As the journey unfolds, the reader will walk through the cold bleakness of the winter season and the bitterness of despair, guided by the hope, peace, joy, and love promised in Christ, fulfilled on Christmas Day. Those familiar with biblical texts will be drawn in by the vivid images and relevant messages of the poems. Similarly, those for whom biblical texts are less well known will find intriguing and accessible images that might prompt a desire to learn more. Laypeople and clergy across denominations will find comfort and challenge in the familiar being made new should they accept the invitation to seek the Light of Christ on the long, often difficult, journey to Bethlehem.
There's so much silence around suicide in the church that it is quite literally killing us." --Rachael Keefe Would you know how to respond if the person sitting next to you in your pew was contemplating suicide? Every year, millions of people engage in suicidal activity, including men, women, and young people in our faith communities. Yet the Church remains largely silent around the topics of mental health, depression, and suicide prevention. How can you and your faith community be prepared to recognize and respond to those struggling for their very lives in your church? In The Lifesaving Church, pastor Rachael Keefe shatters the taboo of suicide by sharing her own painful story of life-long depression and suicidality--and how her various faith communities responded, for better and for worse. Opening a window into her suicidal behaviors as a young person, Keefe helps us recognize the signs and struggles of those who suffer silently. Reminding us of the Church's call to be the Body of Christ for each other, Keefe empowers us to recognize the hurting in our communities and recover the lifesaving message of the Gospel-- forgiveness, acceptance and love--that helped her to heal. With chapters on how to educate your church in suicide prevention, group study reflections around the common questions surrounding suicide, and specific resources, scriptures, and prayers for clergy, suicide loss survivors, and those struggling with suicidality, The Lifesaving Church is critical reading for faith communities seeking abundant life for all of its members.
This book invites the reader to experience Lent as a spiritual journey. It begins on Ash Wednesday with an invitation to engage with Christ, to have daily conversation with him, and to walk with him through the struggles and challenges of daily living. Each day offers a poetic, insightful meditation on Scripture verses that voice the human spirit's longing for the Holy Spirit. As the journey unfolds, the reader will experience the searing heat of the desert sun and the confusing shadows of the wilderness. The invitation to follow Christ, seek Christ, and be found by Christ leads the reader through the perils of the season with the promise of Easter morning. Those familiar with biblical texts will be drawn in by the vivid images and relevant messages of the poems. Similarly, those for whom biblical texts are less well-known, will find intriguing and accessible images that might even prompt a desire to learn more. Lay people and clergy across denominations will find comfort and challenge in the familiar being made new should they accept the invitation to follow Christ into the desert and the wilderness contained within us all, and persevere until the journey ends in resurrection.
Barefoot Theology is a paradigm-shaking invitation for readers to engage with the language of faith. Not your typical theological dictionary, this book explores Christian faith with imagination and passion. You will not find obtuse, prosaic definitions. Instead you will discover creative, poetic imagery that will accompany you as you wrestle with your own faith seeking understanding.
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