COMFORTING THE GRIEVING THROUGH WORSHIP By Thomas Wayne Doss Liberty University School of Music A THESIS IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF WORSHIP STUDIES COMFORTING THE GRIEVING THROUGH WORSHIP By: Thomas Wayne Doss A Thesis in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Worship Studies Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA April 14, 2020 APPROVED BY: David M. Hahn, D.M.A., Committee Chair Keith Currie, D.M.A., Committee Member Sean Beavers, D.M.A., Online Dean 2 ABSTRACT One of the most challenging aspects of the human experience is dealing with the loss of a loved one. Although death marks the end of human life, it can affect the life of the ones closest to the deceased. Often, the griever is left in a sea of pain, which can produce doubts, isolation, and emotional conflict. Although the grieving believer may turn to the church for support in his/her time of grief, the church body may find itself unsure of how to respond best and support the needs of the bereaved. This qualitative historical study examines the literature pertaining to the grieving process and the worship ministries of the church directed toward the bereaved. While the research is narrowly focused on those who have experienced the loss of a loved one to death, it is realized that grief may be experienced as the result of other stressful life losses. Such situations might include relational breakup, job loss, divorce, loss of a loved one to addiction, loss of health, or loss of mental faculties). The findings of this study may prove applicable to those facing such situations. Collection of data from interviewees provided accounts from those dealing with loss to identify the challenges they face or faced when striving to worship and how they find or found comfort in the corporate worship setting. Data gathered throughout the interview process was analyzed to determine common emergent themes. From these themes, guiding principles were synthesized and offered to church worship leaders, their teams, and those preparing for the worship ministry as a means of equipping the body to more effectively meet the needs of fellow worshipers who experience the pain brought on by the death of a loved one. Keywords: mourning, lament, bereavement, edification, worship as comfort, grief 3 DEDICATION In loving memory of my mother, Lorene M. Doss and my brother-in-law, David L. Marston both are worshiping our Lord in the glory of heaven. One day we will join them in never-ending praise. 4 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This research is the culmination of a journey and was made possible only through the mercy and grace found in Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory now and thorough all of eternity. I am indebted to Liberty University School of Music, its leadership, faculty, and staff for their assistance, encouragement, and patience. To Dr. Mindy Damon, I thank you for your guidance in laying the foundation for this project. I will never forget how you pushed yourself beyond the point of exhaustion to see that our proposals were solid by the end of our intensive. Dr. David M. Hahn, thank you for your support and wisdom as my advisor throughout the process of research, writing, and revisions. I am grateful God brought this topic to the forefront of our lives for such a time as this. To Dr. Keith Currie, I am so happy that we have reconnected through this project and that you have served as my reader. To my colleagues, Kyle Bailey and Dr. Erwin Nanasi, your insight and support has been invaluable. I wish to thank Pastor Mike Fitzgerald, Pastor Clyde Mawyer, Jr., and the congregation of Clifford Baptist Church. It is an honor to serve as your Minister of Music, and I pray for many years of ministry together. The supportive love of my church family has blessed me beyond words. To my family, thanks for standing with me throughout this chapter of the journey. Joyce, more than anyone else in my life, you have sacrificed so that I could achieve this goal. I am blessed beyond words to have you as my wife and best friend. Jonathan and Phillip, I am excited in the days ahead to see what God does in your lives. Above this academic milestone, the title “dad” will always mean more to me. 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................................. 3 DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................................... 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................................... 5 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 8 Background ............................................................................................................................................. 10 Statement of the Problem ........................................................................................................................ 10 Purpose of the Study ............................................................................................................................... 11 Significance of the Study ........................................................................................................................ 12 TheoreticaL Framework ........................................................................................................................... 14 Statement of the Research Questions ...................................................................................................... 15 Core Concepts ......................................................................................................................................... 16 Hypotheses .............................................................................................................................................. 18 Research Methods ................................................................................................................................... 18 Research PLan .......................................................................................................................................... 19 Definition of Terms ................................................................................................................................. 20 Assumptions ............................................................................................................................................ 21 Limitations .............................................................................................................................................. 28 CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ............................................................................... 30 Understanding Grief ................................................................................................................................ 30 Understanding the Effects of Grief on the Christian ............................................................................... 37 The Community of Faith and Its Ministry to the Grieving ..................................................................... 42 Lament in Worship .................................................................................................................................. 50 Practitioners of Worship Address Grief .................................................................................................. 54 Summary of the Literature ...................................................................................................................... 58 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................... 59 Research Questions ................................................................................................................................. 59 Hypotheses .............................................................................................................................................. 60 Research Design ...................................................................................................................................... 60 Background, BeLiefs and Biases of the Researcher ................................................................................. 61 Research PopuLation and Participants ..................................................................................................... 63 Data CoLLection and Procedures .............................................................................................................. 65 Procedures ............................................................................................................................................... 66 AnaLysis of Data ...................................................................................................................................... 68 EthicaL Assurances .................................................................................................................................. 69 CHAPTER FOUR – RESEARCH FINDINGS ........................................................................................... 71 The Pathways of Grief ............................................................................................................................. 71 6 The PeopLe of God ..................................................................................................................................