It happened again Monday - I left the funeral home “bugged”. I went with my pastor and another pastor at my church. I’ve always heard it said that pastors need to be there “when they’re born, when they’re wed, and when they’re dead.” Even though Monday was a very busy day for me, I knew the right thing to do was to go.
Now let me tell you what bugs me about funerals. The pastor preached a good message and presented the Gospel. In fact, the man who died received Christ on his death bed. Although the pastor preached and presented the Gospel, he left everyone hanging. He didn’t tell them how to make Jesus their own. That’s what bugs me. Why do so many preachers tell everyone about heaven and about Jesus, but neglect to share HOW they can receive eternal life?
I left the funeral home reminded not to leave my kids hanging. I talk about Jesus a lot. I talk about heaven a lot. I need to make sure I’m telling the kids HOW they can get to heaven. If I don’t do this, I am not preaching the full account of the Gospel. What do you think?
I’m with you Ryan…this topic has been on my mind lately in a variety of ways. I believe that we all need to keep a big fire burning under our seat to keep us focused and alert as to what ministry is all about. So let’s keep that fire burning.
Hey Ryan, how are you! I’ve been a secret reader of your blog since you guys started it… its been a great read!
I’m right with you there. A fellow pastor at my church in IN gave an alter call at his very first funeral and a significant number of people gave their hearts to Christ. He continued to do this at funeral and many came to the Lord. I know that he took considerable flack as some didn’t see this as an appropriate venue for evangelism. I guess he’ll just have to answer to the Lord one day for this… ha!
I think you’re right covering the how. It’s amazing how I’ve given an invitation and the one kid who I never expected to make a decision does… the kid I assumed had already done this. I remember pulling them aside after church totally flabberghasted (I feel really old using that word). I said, “Are you kidding me, you’ve never done this?” Amazingly enough, this kid sat under my teaching for well over 7 months and had never responded to a “How to get to heaven” talk until that moment. So, just maybe you can’t say “how” often enough either!
your absolutely right!
Kenny - it’s great to hear from you bro. I hope you and your ministry are doing well. That’s a great story about the invitation being given at the funeral. I don’t think the Lord minds that
At a funeral preachers have a captive audience of people with their mind on death and eternal things. What a great time to preach the truth and draw the net! God bless you in your ministry to kids. Maybe I’ll see you again at CPC this winter.
When I do funerals I tell people how to accept Christ, but I make myself available to speak or pray with anyone after the funeral. Amazingly people always want to pray with me.
Because of these opportunities, I kind of secretly prefer doing funerals to weddings. More Salvations!
pastor cliff, that’s awesome! i don’t hear many pastors offer to pray or talk after the funeral… what a great way to use a potentially bleak situation for the glory of God!
What you said opened my eyes. That’s so true, we do leave kids hanging when we aren’t presenting the how and opportunity. It’s easy to think that they already “know” cuz I’ve said it or presented it before…but if they are just NOW ready they need to hear it NOW. I felt the Lord’s confirming presence when I read your blog.
I agree with you Ryan 100%…What I’ve been taught from my Pastor is that the immediate family is who you seek to minister to and comfort 1st in this situation..
Of course you have to obey the Holy Ghost in every situation I could see problems with an altar call at a funeral if it was not the family’s wishes. This certainly isn’t a statement of faith but what if no one responded? Would this cause further grief to the family? Where if you left it up to the congregation to make their own decision or made yourself available for prayer the family could still have the comfort of knowing their loved ones passing was effecting people’s eternal destination.
I do agree with you though…Not to be morbid but I do want my funeral to be a celebration and Heaven gets down when just one soul comes into the Kingdom…
A few Sundays ago I was talking to my kids about Jesus. It was my ‘ususal’ group, but I felt compelled to tell them how to make Jesus your personal Savior. Afterwards I told them that if they had any questions, they could talk to their parents or myself later. One of my girls, said, “But why can’t I do it now? I want to do it now!” Then another said “Me too!” So we all bowed our heads and I had the priviledge of leading 2 of ‘my kids’ to Christ!!!!— That is what its all about!!!!!!!!
So many times we think the parents are talking with our kids about salvation and other spiritual matters - even parents in the church, but they are not, or the kids are just not as apt to talk with their parents. (My oldest daughter accepted Christ at my sister’s church!) We have to remember that whether our group is ‘churched’ or unchurched, Salvation through Christ has to be presented, maybe not every week, but regularly.
What Rudy Giuliani says in his book “Leadership” has always stuck with me. “Weddings are optional, funerals are mandatory.” People never forget what was said or done at a funeral. It is so important that you give the full Gospel. Give the reason for the Hope that we have.