Pastor provides 'different view' on cemeteries
By Stephen Burkhart
I appreciate the sincere compassion and sentimentality in Jane Curran's article in the Nov. 19 issue ("Cycles & Seasons: Cemeteries Speak to Us of Lives and Love"). And I rejoice in most witnesses I have encountered in the funeral home ministry in providing avenues of closure and healing to the bereaved. But when our focus slips too far, I have a bit of a different view on what "cemeteries speak."
The United Methodist Church has become of one of the greatest caretakers of cemeteries in the country. Is that our mission in Christ? My heart aches as I have encountered dying church after dying church that is struggling to survive, with God's house stagnant spiritually and deteriorating physically. But not to worry! There's plenty of money in the cemetery fund.
Cemeteries speak to me of a worldly witness of more concern for those who have already died in Christ, than for the living who are still dead in Christ. Do we truly believe that God is impressed as millions of dollars are spent in building monuments to ourselves and preserving dead shells for an extra few months in closely cropped grasslands - while people are dying without Christ?
Let us etch the witness of those who have gone on before us upon our hearts - not in cold, lifeless granite. Let us honor them by rejoicing in how they responded to Christ's call. Let their lives challenge us to seek and proceed in God's calling for the precious time God has allotted us now.
"Let the dead bury their dead; but go thou and preach the kingdom of God."
The Rev. Burkhart is pastor at Vermont United Methodist Church of Kingsport District.
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