Date

10-16-2024

Department

School of Music

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Worship (PhD)

Chair

Lori J. Danielson

Keywords

Shut-in, Terminally Ill, Worship, Church, Worship Pastor, Pastor, Protestant, Believers, End-of-Life

Disciplines

Liturgy and Worship

Abstract

In Isaiah 43:21 (English Standard Version), God declares through his prophet that he created humankind for himself, for them to declare his praises. God created humanity to worship. In the last phase of a believer's life, there is a possibility of not being able to join the rest of the church in corporate worship. This text addresses the question: How does assisting shut-in Protestant Christians with end-of-life worship impact the patient, family, and the concept of dying well? Pastors, chaplains, and ministers from many walks of life have recorded and underlined the importance of worshipful pastoral care in the latter days of a person's life. This topic has been explored and explained through interviews with shut-ins, explaining where the need exists and the possibilities of how to resolve the issue. The result of this study realizes that the needs of shut-in Protestant believers go beyond simple prayer. The Bible says in Psalm 150:6, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord," and Psalm 116:15 declares, "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” While these shut-in believers approach their last days, they still have air in their lungs and deserve the chance to worship the Lord. Listening to their hearts and hearing their needs can allow them to complete their preparation for face-to-face encounters with the Lord and total adoration of their Savior. This qualitative study investigates the phenomenon of Christian shut-ins and terminally ill believers and their experiences with worship as they near the end of their lives. This study also promotes an open discussion on the problems at hand. It initiates a discourse about how this can be handled for the believer, the families concerned, and the minister or worship leader ministering. This research focuses on pastors and worship pastors use of worship in ministering to these individuals who are shut-in or terminally ill.

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