Conduct Gospel-Centered Funerals: Applying the Gospel at the Unique Challenges of Death (Croft & Newton)

Our calling as ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ is to make Christ central in all we do. Yet, in many funeral occasions, the gospel of Jesus Christ is lamentably overlooked as the primary purpose of the funeral service and that upon which all true hope depends. The aim of this book is not just to inform you of all the different kinds of important logistics, challenges, and practicalities that often accompany any funeral, but so that you will know how to apply the power of the gospel in the midst of those unique challenges.

Author 

Brian Croft is Senior Pastor of Auburndale Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. He is the author of several books about pastoral ministry, including his most well-known book, Visit the Sick. Through his blog, Practical Shepherding, he seeks to equip pastors and leaders to faithfully shepherd God's people. He and his wife, Cara, have four children. Phil Newton is Senior Pastor of South Woods Baptist Church in Memphis, TN, USA, a church he planted in 1987. He is the author of Elders in Congregational Life and contributor to other books and journals. Phil and his wife Karen have five children and five grandchildren.

Endorsements 

"Death is an inescapable reality, and any minister of the gospel who is committed to speaking for God must prepare to speak to those who are dealing with the trauma of losing a friend or a loved one. Funerals are one of the greatest opportunities for the gospel of Jesus Christ to be proclaimed because they are reminders to everyone that death is indeed 'the end of all men. When biblical understanding of how the gospel applies to death and grieving is joined with careful preparation to help others to see it, eternal good can also be done by ministers at funerals. Brian Croft and Phil Newton know the gospel well and share their seasoned, pastoral wisdom in how to minister its comfort and power to those who gather in a worship service that has been called by death. If the biblical, pastoral, and practical counsel that is provided in this book is followed by those whose task it is to conduct funeral services, much glory will come to God and much good will come to mourners." - Tom Ascol, Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, and Executive Director, Founders Ministries, Cape Coral, FL, USA

"Far too many funerals present nothing but a eulogy--that is, good words about the deceased--and nothing about Jesus Christ, who came to be the solution to the final problem of sin and death. The seasoned pastors who authored this book have given us a practical resource that shows how to make the gospel central on an occasion when people are desperately in need of the good news of what God has done for sinners through Jesus Christ. Everyone who provides leadership for funeral, memorial, or graveside services could profit from reading this helpful guide." - Don Whitney, Associate Professor of Biblical Spirituality, and Senior Associate Dean of the School of Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY, USA

"The brevity of this book betrays its value. Conduct Gospel-Centered Funerals is a superb treatment of this crucial aspect of pastoral ministry. It is both theologically faithful and practically useful. I will refer to it often when called upon to point others to the victory we have in Christ during the times of sorrow and grief that always accompany death." - Daniel L. Akin, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC, USA