Preparing to Cross the Finish Line: A Guide to Help Families and Individuals with End-of-Life Issues and Funerals - Softcover

Wiens

Softcover

ISBN 10: 199878701X ISBN 13: 9781998787012

Publisher: Mill Lake Books, 2022

Synopsis

Walter Wiens's vision to write Preparing to Cross the Finish Line began when he sensed God's gentle Spirit urging him to write what he had experienced and learned about funerals in his pastoral ministry. The purpose of this book is to help families in their time of grief as well as pastors who counsel families when death has occurred. Walter believes that funeral planning is a healthy extension of life. Using the metaphor "crossing the finish line," he makes clear that a person's preparedness to cross the finish line does not involve only the funeral preparations but begins long before the final stage of life. A redemptive crossing of the "finish line" includes a right relationship with God, with other people, and with oneself.

The 11 chapters serve as a practical primer for all aspects of the planning process from the naming of the service to preparation of the memorial bulletin and selection of the pallbearers. The author's sensitivity in discussing difficult issues such as family conflict in funeral planning is a strength of this publication. This book is enriched by numerous inset boxes containing quotes or relevant theme summaries. Readers will also appreciate the prayers at the end of each chapter. This publication offers 7 appendices, with information forms and advice in legal, financial or health matters.

About this title

About the Author

Walter Wiens has been the Pastor of Care Ministries at the Clearbrook Mennonite Brethren Church, in Abbotsford, British Columbia, for the past two decades. Previously, he served as a pastor in Medicine Hat, Alberta, as a chaplain at the Headingley Correctional Institution in Winnipeg, Manitoba for over thirteen years, and as a resident chaplain in Riverview Health Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba. He draws on his long experience in walking with individuals in their final years and with families in their time of grieving. His preparation for ministry included degrees from Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, Fresno, California, (M. Div.), Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia, (MA Biblical Studies), and Providence Seminary, Otterburne, Manitoba (MA, Biblical Counselling). Edith, his wife of 53 years, has been an integral part of Walter's pastoral ministry. Walter grew up in Arnold, British Columbia, and is grateful for his humble home where the faith of his parents and siblings was genuine. He believes that Christianity is best understood when God is described in relational concepts and that a core theme of the Bible is how God restores broken relationships. Walter's love for God, the Word of God and the people of God is the bedrock of his writing.

Edition details

• Publisher: Mill Lake Books
• Publication date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 199878701X
• ISBN 13: 9781998787012
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 166