A Pilot Grief Ministry Program to Equip Grief Ministry Facilitators in the Local Adventist Churches
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Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertation Projects DMin Graduate Research 2005 A Pilot Grief Ministry Program To Equip Grief Ministry Facilitators in the Local Adventist Churches Joyce Marie Hatchett Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin Part of the Practical Theology Commons Recommended Citation Hatchett, Joyce Marie, "A Pilot Grief Ministry Program To Equip Grief Ministry Facilitators in the Local Adventist Churches" (2005). Dissertation Projects DMin. 482. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin/482 This Project Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertation Projects DMin by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT A PILOT GRIEF MINISTRY PROGRAM TO EQUIP GRIEF MINISTRY FACILITATORS IN THE LOCAL ADVENTIST CHURCHES by Joyce Marie Hatchett Adviser: James J. North, Jr. ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: A PILOT GRIEF MINISTRY PROGRAM TO EQUIP GRIEF MINISTRY FACILITATORS IN THE LOCAL ADVENTIST CHURCH Name of researcher: Joyce Marie Hatchett Name and degree of faculty adviser: James J. North, Jr., D.Min. Date completed: December 2005 Problem There is a need for a visible and effective Seventh-day Adventist Grief Ministry Training Program that is theologically sound and culturally sensitive that will serve the bereavement needs of both the local Seventh-day Adventist congregation(s) and others in the community. Method For this study, I used formative evaluation, sometimes referred to as pilot testing. Formative Evaluation has two goals: (1) To gain understanding through observation and soliciting responses of participants concerning how the curriculum and instructional processes might be improved; and (2) to develop strategies for improving the curriculum and instructional process. This pilot training program was held September 5-7, 2003, in the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Room 150, at Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan. Twelve Seventh-day Adventists participated in this pilot program. Six were from campus housing and six were from local communities. Results Grief Ministry is vital for the faith community and provides several options for consideration to the individual or family that find themselves in need of this service after the death of a loved one. These comments from the participants were affirming. “It addressed my personal needs.” “It addressed relevant issues.” “The handouts and assignments given were very helpful.” “It promoted healing and I believe that it helped me to be in a better place.” The seminar was very encouraging as I witnessed the mental and emotional healing of the participants as they did their individual grief work. We all grew spiritually and experienced the physical strength that comes from intentionally allowing God to be a part of the grieving process. Conclusions Based on the presentations, observations, and discussions with participants, the seminar met its goal. It provided a model that can and will be improved upon. The conclusions and recommendations will be systematically implemented and evaluated in future training programs in an effort to refine the ministry. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary A PILOT GRIEF MINISTRY PROGRAM TO EQUIP GRIEF MINISTRY FACILITATORS IN THE LOCAL ADVENTIST CHURCHES A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Joyce Marie Hatchett December 2005 A PILOT GRIEF MINISTRY PROGRAM TO EQUIP GRIEF MINISTRY FACILITATORS IN THE LOCAL ADVENTIST CHURCHES A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Ministry by Joyce Marie Hatchett H. Peter Swanson Date approved TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES.............................................................................................. vi Chapter I. INTRODUCTION...................................................................................... 1 Statement of the Problem.................................................................... 1 Statement of the Task ..................... ................................................... 1 Justification for the Dissertation......................................................... 1 Description of the Dissertation........................................................... 3 Limitations of the Dissertation........................................................... 5 Methodology ...................................................................................... 5 Definition of Grief Terms................................................................... 7 Definition of Biblical Terms Related to Grieving .............................. 12 Additional Information Regarding Biblical Definitions ..................... 14 Literature Review................................................................................ 16 The Expectations from This Dissertation............................................ 25 n. A BIBILICAL APPROACH TO GRIEF MINISTRY................................ 27 An Old Testament Approach to Grief Jacob’s Grief for Joseph (Genesis)....................................... 28 A New Testament Approach to Grief: Death And Resurrection of Lazarus............................................... 33 God’s Eternal Approach to Grief Ministry...................................... 37 The First Gift—Reconciliation............................................ 37 The Second Gift—The Resurrection .................................... 38 The Third Gift—Eternal Life............................................... 39 The Fourth Gift—Immortality............................................. 39 A Biblical Role Model—Abraham ...................................... 42 From the Oaks of Moreh to the Hill Country ...................... 43 Famine, Sojourn to Egypt, and Sarah in Pharaoh’s Harem .............. 44 Separation from Lot, War, and Rescue ................................ 45 Abraham Faces His Mortality and the Covenant Relationship............................................... 46 Hagar’s Marriage, Flight, and the Birth of Ishmael................................................... 48 Abraham Bargains with God over Sodom ............................ 48 iii Abimelech’s Court, the Birth of Issac, Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away ..................................... 50 Isaac on Mount Moriah, and Sarah’s Death...................... 51 Isaac’s Marriage, Abraham’s Remarriage, and Abraham’s Death................................................... 53 III. PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY RITUALS THAT FACILITATE GRIEF...................................................................... 55 Biblical Ritual That Facilitate Grief—Death of Jacob....................... 55 Spirit of Prophecy Rituals That Facilitate Grief - Death of John Herbert, Henry Nichols, and James Springer White ...... 61 IV. PROPOSED GRIEF PROGRAM FOR GRIEF FACILITATORS.............. 76 Purpose of the Program .................................................................... 77 Description of the Program............................................................... 78 The Format of the Program .............................................................. 79 The Participants of the Program........................................................ 84 V. EVALUATION AND REFLECTIONS OF THE PROGRAM.................. 86 Program Presentation ........................................................................ 86 Pre-Program Questionnaire ............................................................ 87 Post-Program Evaluation by Participants........................................... 94 Reflections ........................................................................................ 97 Friday—September 5, 2003, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m............................... 97 Saturday—September 6, 2003, 3 p.m. - 6:00 p.m....................... 100 Sunday Morning—September 7, 2005, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.... 106 Evaluation by the Presenter............................................................... Ill VI. SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS............. 113 Summary ................................................................................ 113 Conclusions and Recommendations................................................. 115 Appendix A. DEATH OF A LOVED ONE.............................................................. 123 B. DEFINITION OF BIBLICAL TERMS.............................................. 125 C. A HEALTHY GRIEF PROCESS CHART........................................ 130 D. DR. J. H. KELLOGG’S ACCOUNT OF THE DEATH OF JAMES S. WHITE................. 132 E. REWARD AND PUNISHMENT AFTER DEATH........................... 135 F. FORGIVE AND FORGET NETWORK, INC.................................... 140 G. OPTIONAL PROGRAMMING......................................................... 146 IV H. DOCTRINE OF LAST THINGS........................................................ 151 I. CERTIFICATES OF TRAINING....................... ................................ 159 J. HOSPICE FOUNDATION SAMPLERS............................................ 162 K. GRIEF MINISTRY FACILITATOR’S TRAINING MANUAL....... 169 BIBLIOGRAPHY.............................................................. 256 V LIST OF TABLES 1. Demographics.....................................................................................