Date

2-2020

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Chair

Michael Whittington

Keywords

Grief, Counseling, Gospel, Edification, Children, Psychology

Disciplines

Christianity | Counseling | Religion | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Abstract

Millions of children will die this year due to chronic and terminal illnesses. The medical and psychological communities have attempted for decades to find a methodology that will help parents and the child find hope for the future. The psychological and medical communities’ meta-analysis studies have shown that the goal of hope has been elusive for children and families in all current modalities. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only true assurance for parents and children experiencing chronic and terminal childhood illness. Paul wrote in his Epistle to the Romans that believing in the gospel brings life all joy, hope, and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:13). This thesis researched if upon faithful presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to families amid childhood illness will change a believing family’s trajectory for the future, from despair to hope. The researcher analyzed pastors and counselors through a random survey, which indicated that the role of pastors and counselors is crucial in ministry to chronic and terminally ill children and their families. The results showed that the implementation of hope-centered strategies based on the gospel could provide positive life transformation.

Download

Share

COinS