In this course, students will examine the nature of terminal illness and the inevitability of death. Looking at the physical and spiritual dimensions of dying, students will develop a spiritual care philosophy and practice that will equip them to provide spiritual care to the dying.
Students interested in serving God through the work as a medical professional or social worker or hospice caregiver must have an essential understanding of terminal illness, the experience that accompanies it, and the end of life issues that trouble the terminally ill. This course will help students involved in the health care field develop skills and expertise in ministering to an aging society.
Where often the world sees diminishing value in faith, the healthcare field does not deny the significance of spiritual health in impacting one's physical health. Christ followers have an open door to engage people in critical matters of faith when they matter most. This course addresses this vital opportunity for the church.
The Scriptures compel followers of Christ to service and care for the needy, hurting, and sick.
Missional Christians respond to the places where God is at work. It is evident that terminally illness generates spiritual as well as physical challenges, demonstrating that God desires His people to be present where these spiritual needs are present.
How cultures and communities respond to terminal illness can be widely different. Understanding how culture addresses terminal illness is critical to developing an effective ministry and practice.
When people of faith engage with the terminally ill, they are engaging people where they are, as they are. Cultural values are most evident in how societies tend to terminal illness. The missional minded person reads the cultural landscape and translates the gospel into the culture at hand.
Caring for the needs of the terminally ill is hands on, practical ministry.
This course engages students at the level of actual ministry experience, helping them to draw upon their own experiences with persons facing complex disease processes.
