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Property concerns

New York State Supreme Court awarded contested property in the Diocese of Rochester to TEC and the Diocese.

“that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope”  1 Thessalonians 4:13 

E. Kuhbler-Ross, On Death and Dying, 1969

1.  Denial

2.  Anger

3.  Bargaining

4.  Depression

5.  Acceptance

Taking Time

“We rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God.  More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance (“patience,”  KJV), and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.”  Romans 5:2-5

The world’s way of dealing with grief  (The Grief Recovery Handbook, James & Cherry)

1.  Bury your feelings

2.  Replace your losses

3.  Isolate yourself

4.  Wait for time to heal

5.  Regret

6.  Distrust Vulnerability

Christianity’s way

Accept feelings—“Jesus wept.”  John 11:35

Offer your loss to God—“…in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace…”  Philippians 4:6-7

Seek the help of others—“…weep with those who weep.”  Romans 12:15 

Expect Divine Comfort—“Cast your burden upon the LORD, and he will sustain you.” Psalm 55:24 (BCP)

Accept—“I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”  Philippians 4:11

Trust God—“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not upon thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”  Proverbs 3:5-6, (KJV)

1 Corinthians

8:1-13—“indeed, there are many ‘gods’ and many ‘lords’… lest I cause my brother to fall.”

9:1-18—“Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!”

9:19-23—“I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.  I do it all for the sake of the gospel.”

9:24-27—“I pommel my body and subdue it.”

10:1-11:1—“Now these things are warnings for us, not to desire evil as they did.”

11:2-16—“If any one is disposed to be contentious, we recognize no other practice, nor do the churches of God.”

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:

1.  Are you in grief over the conflict in the church?  In what “stage” do you find yourself?

2.  Other than the loss of a loved one, what have you had to grieve, and how has that suffering helped you to grow in the Lord?

3.  Discuss experiences of being taught the world’s way of dealing with grief.