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Mending Broken Hearts Response from a Pastor1. What do you see as Jill’s greatest needs as she begins life as a single parent with three children? Jill needs a strong support system that will help her deal with her financial, social, emotional and spiritual needs. She will need to get financial help so she can provide for herself and her children. She will need to work through the pain of separation and will need counselling to help her decide concerning her future. She will also need emotional support as she will be lonely and perhaps looking for reconciliation with her husband, or healing if divorce ensues. Finally, spiritually she will need to hear from some believers that God loves her and longs to see healing in her family whatever direction that may take. 2. How did Pastor Dennis begin to win Jill’s confidence? By being there. By building a relationship with her through his visits with the family and by performing their marriage. 3. What might a local congregation offer to a woman in Jill’s situation? Some churches offer a DivorceCare support group. Other congregations offer Christian counselling. Some congregations offer small group Bible studies where Jill might find ongoing love and support. Some congregations also offer financial aid when families are struggling. Still others have a mentorship/discipleship program where women are paired with other women for one-on-one care. 4. How would you assess Dennis’ intervention with the Smith family? Would you have responded in a different or similar way? Two things jump out at me about Dennis’ intervention. First of all, if they were “active participants in another church” I would be in touch with the pastor/clergy of that congregation so that we could work together. Secondly, it does not appear that much help was given to Robert. Many times abused wives still want to get back with their husband after a time of being apart; if help is not provided for him, this could wind up back into an abusive situation again. By being in court and choosing clearly her side, he cut off any hope of intervention with the husband. However, if he actually witnessed things then yes, he would need to be testifying to that situation. 5. What would you see as the next step in pastoral care? If the marriage was finished then Pastor Dennis could continue to offer Jill support, and encourage her to connect with his church or the previous congregation she was attending.
Rev. Dr. Terry Atkinson |
