Extreme abortion amendment withdrawn thanks to Christian campaign

Abortion Bill reflects spirit of death gripping the nation

Catharine Pakington reviews ‘Dementia: Frank and Linda’s Story’ by Louise Morse (2010, Monarch Books).

I was introduced to this book through the inspiring website of Dr Jennifer Bute, whose GP career was curtailed by early onset Alzheimer’s Disease:

Since then it has become my passion to try and help people understand about it, because I do believe it is a great opportunity, a God-given unexpected gift in order to understand this hurt section of society.

Dr Bute’s website offers resources giving an insider’s view of Alzheimer’s, to help doctors, relatives and carers respond positively.

Louise Morse takes up this theme of new understanding bringing new hope, especially for Christians who are pilgrims on a journey to Heaven. She co-authored an earlier book, ‘Could It Be Dementia? Losing Your Mind Doesn’t Mean Losing Your Soul’, which emphasised that people do not become worthless when they lose ability to remember or reason.

A former journalist, Louise is Media and Communications Manager with the Pilgrims’ Friend Society and also a counsellor and cognitive behavioural therapist. From her own experience, and that of others, she challenges readers to see that a person with dementia has not disintegrated, but is simply overshadowed. With understanding and support, the journey can even become a positive one as the individual continues to be recognised.

Based on a True Story

The author uses a narrative form, taking us through the true story of ‘Frank and Linda’, from the point at which Frank’s dementia is diagnosed and Linda adjusts to becoming his carer after many years of marriage. Morse depicts Linda using her knowledge of Frank to manage situations to maintain his contentment, avoiding triggers to anxiety or anger.

We follow the changes in their lives and how those around them cope and support – or do not. Their experiences are compared with those of others and we see how attitudes to dementia have changed in recent years.

Morse challenges readers to see that a person with dementia has not disintegrated.

From the outside it can seem that those with dementia are acting irrationally or living in imaginary worlds. Knowing a person’s history can help us recognise that what they are doing is consistent with the reality in which they are living, but it may be based on memories from the past.

Clattering from the kitchen prompted one man to hide under the table because it sounded like war-time bombing. A resident of a care home may say that they want to go home because something has happened that makes them feel unsafe. The approach encouraged by Morse is to “go with the flow” and to “get into their world”. We may think of doing that with children - but are we willing to seek the same understanding of the elderly?

Examples are given of long-established habits continuing and the calming effect of familiar words and songs. When other words may have been lost, a faithful Christian may still be able to quote Scripture, join in singing hymns or, in one example, repeat the names of those on her prayer list. I wonder what we are storing up that might come out of us when other abilities fail?

Challenge to Listen

Morse challenges us to listen to what patients are really trying to communicate, because it might not be what the words seem to say. As the numbers with dementia continue to increase we do not know who we might need to care for, or if we ourselves will one day be affected.

I used to take schoolchildren to visit a home specialising in dementia care. It was helpful to have resources to encourage the children to respect the residents with some understanding. Residents might not remember that we had been, but happy feelings could remain if we visited (and left) in the right way.

Uplifting and Practical

There are many uplifting stories in this book, but also much practical advice, including how to negotiate care homes, once residential care becomes necessary for the sake of the carer and the wellbeing of the one with dementia.

Each chapter ends with a summary of key ‘Points to Ponder’, which makes it easy to review sections, and a short section of devotions. It is a readable, accessible and practical book coming from a Christian perspective, that really does encourage hope.

Dementia: Frank and Linda’s Story (256pp, paperback and e-book) is available widely online, including on Amazon for £7.30.

Also by Louise Morse: Worshipping with Dementia: Meditations, Scriptures and Prayers for Sufferers and Carers (2010, Monarch Books) and Dementia: Pathways to Hope: Spiritual Insights and Practical Hope for Carers (2015, Monarch Books).

Monica Hill continues her study on the Ministry Gifts of Ephesians 4.

This article is part of a series. Click here to read other instalments.

“It was Christ who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13, emphasis added)

The gift of ‘pastoring’ is one with which we are all familiar – it is the backbone of the Church in this country and has been for many centuries. In many ways, it is often the only role recognised as carrying any form of leadership responsibility.

Even though the wording of Ephesians 4 seems to link it with ‘teaching’, the two roles are quite different - as we will see over the next two weeks. They can often be combined – for instance, the pastor often also carries the role of teacher – but this is not always the case. Therefore, we will look at them separately.

A common definition of a pastor is “one who is usually an ordained leader of a Christian congregation…A pastor also gives advice and counsel to people from the community or congregation.”¹ The ministry gift of pastoring was given to ensure that named individuals took long-term responsibility for the spiritual well-being of the group of believers in their care.

But Ephesians 4 is the only mention of the role of ‘pastor’ in the Bible - the word more often used is ‘shepherd’. In fact, the Greek noun used for ‘pastor’ in Ephesians 4 is poimēn (‘shepherd’), linked to the verb poimaino (‘to shepherd’) and the Latin word pascere meaning ‘fed or grazed’. The links with feeding sheep are plain to see. This is carried through visually in Western Christianity in the formal crosiers often carried by bishops, shaped as stylised shepherd’s crooks, symbolising their pastoral/shepherding functions.

The Good Shepherd

The Old Testament’s teaching on pastoring is summed up in the well-loved Psalm 23, ‘The Lord is my Shepherd’. This is followed by Jesus and his teaching in John 10 that he is the Good Shepherd, which gives us a great model of the kind of pastoring that we need to seek and practise.

Ephesians 4 is the only mention of the role of ‘pastor’ in the Bible - the word more often used is ‘shepherd’.

It was in one of Jesus’s appearances on the seashore to his disciples after his resurrection that Jesus asked Peter “Do you really love me?” three times, which in effect brought about his full forgiveness and restitution following his three denials just before the crucifixion. Each time Peter was commissioned to “Feed my sheep” or “Feed my lambs” (John 3:17); Jesus indicated that the way for Peter to love his Lord was to shepherd his sheep.

The Call to be a Shepherd

Shepherding is more than just caring for the spiritual needs of those given into your care (the responsibility of agricultural shepherds is to care for many different aspects of their flock) – it should also mean building people up so that they mature and reach their full potential.

This is the end goal towards which those who are called to pastor (or shepherd) others today should be aiming. They not only need to be able to feed and care for the flock in their charge, they also need to have the gift of being able to draw out all the gifts in others, so that the Body of Christ grows up, and the flock are fully equipped and supported to be on the front line.²

Paul was much more an evangelist than a pastor, but he saw the need for continuing care when he moved on – not only in teaching but in broader support of the newly formed group or congregation. He reminded the Ephesians to care for the flock in the brief meeting he had with the elders on his way to Jerusalem (Acts 20:28-29).

Shepherding – Biblical vs Western

The picture given of shepherding in biblical times, which Jesus often used as an example, is very different from the ways in which we farm and care for sheep today in the West – both physically and spiritually. We must be careful to compare the two, so we can be clear on what the Lord is recommending! Read John 10 and make your own comparisons to add to those below.

• The biblical shepherd goes ahead of the sheep, leading by example; Western shepherds drive from the back and follow behind the sheep – and often use a dog to help keep control.
  
• The biblical shepherd watches over his sheep at all times; the Western shepherd takes them to a field and leaves them there.
  
• The biblical shepherd is always seeking new pastures to provide good food for his sheep; Western shepherds use planned fields with boundaries.
  
• In biblical times many of the flocks were kept safely together with others at night; in Western nations we have isolated ourselves away from each other, with pastors only called upon when needed.
  
• The biblical shepherd shares the night-time watch with others; the Western shepherd can be very parochial and denominational.
  
• The biblical shepherd knows his sheep by name and goes searching for the one who has strayed away; the Western shepherd has a long list of email addresses but may not enjoy close relationship with the flock.
  
• The biblical shepherd teaches the sheep to discern the good shepherd from the bad – to know the voice of the Good Shepherd, so they are not deceived by other voices calling them away; the Western shepherd often does the discernment for the flock – or not at all.
  

In the closing exhortations in the letter to the Hebrews, Jesus is recognised as “that great Shepherd of the Sheep” (Heb 13:20). Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) who will go to any lengths to save one lost lamb – even being willing to give his life.

Shepherding is more than just caring for the spiritual needs of those given into your care – it should also mean building people up so that they mature and reach their full potential.

Giving further instructions in his model in John 10, Jesus says:

• “I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them” (vv7-8). We are not to follow or listen to those who have the wrong motive.
  
• “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved…I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full” (vv9-10). Through Jesus the sheep will find all they need - including eternal life.
  
• “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand…abandons the sheep and runs away…[he] cares nothing for the sheep” (vv11-13). We are to avoid those do not care enough. Under-shepherds should have the same kind of commitment as Jesus – they should not act like hired hands.
  
• “I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father” (vv14-15).
  
• “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also” (v16). Jesus is the shepherd for others who have no shepherd and is concerned to bring them into the fold too.
  

Continuing Care

Peter urges his fellow elders in 1 Peter 5:1-4: “to be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away”.

References

1 Wikipedia, Pastor.

2 Heavy shepherding was a feature in the early days of the charismatic movement in the 1980s and is still followed by some today. It can be counter-productive as it does not lead to building up the body to maturity but rather to increased dependence on humans rather than the Lord.

Two personal perspectives on the up-coming Assisted Dying Bill.

On 11 September, Rob Marris MP's Assisted Dying Bill will receive its second reading in Parliament. That this date has been chosen for such an important debate on British freedom, democracy and the sanctity of life, is perhaps pertinent – perhaps sadly ironic.

We bring you two personal perspectives on the bill and some practical advice on how to pray and act in the days leading up to it.

Charles Gardner

An alert has gone out from concerned Christians about a deadly Bill to be debated in the British Parliament on September 11. The so-called 'Assisted Dying Bill', better known as assisted suicide, is a bid to make it legal not only for people to take their own lives, but for others to assist them in doing so.

I trust it will not escape the notice of too many that it comes on the day we recall the death and destruction committed on a grand scale 14 years ago by a group of suicide bombers who flew jet liners into New York's tallest skyscrapers, leaving some 3,000 dead and a world in shock.

Although primarily an attack on Israel and the Jewish people whom America is perceived as supporting, it was also seen as an attack on Western democracy which allows the freedom of thought so despised by Islamic fundamentalists.

But if the Assisted Dying Bill is passed, it would spell a death of democracy of our own making as we would effectively be committing democratic and national suicide; for the effect of the Bill would be to pressurise the weak, vulnerable and elderly into ending their lives prematurely out of fear of being a burden to society.

Their right to have a say in the destiny of their own lives will have been withdrawn forever, with the result that a much-envied civilisation built on Christian foundations of care and compassion would collapse as surely as did the 110-storey Twin Towers of Manhattan.

If the Assisted Dying Bill is passed, it would spell democratic and national suicide. Our much-envied civilisation built on Christian foundations of care and compassion would collapse as surely as did the Twin Towers.

As its detractors state, the Bill does not speed people towards a natural death, but rather sanctions state-sponsored killing. Thank God for campaigns like Christian Concern who are doing all they can to 'help keep death from Britain's door'.

Certainly 9/11 was a devastating, earth-shattering event. But who remembers the millions of innocent babies murdered in the womb for spurious social reasons? So now we have death lurking in the shadows both at the beginning and end of our lives – and in the latter case, all in the questionable cause of the relief of suffering.

The Religion of Secular Humanism

This is the poisonous fruit of so much humanistic, secular and atheistic influence on our once Christian culture which says that since this life is all there is – and there is no God – we should alleviate pain and discomfort at any cost. And we are daily bombarded by noble-sounding campaigns to rid the world of disease, poverty and environmental destruction. And we humans are capable of dealing with this. On our own!

But we aren't. For as long as we ignore the real reason for our troubles – our sinful obsession with self – and act independently of God, we are only putting off the evil day when divine judgement will show up our pitiful attempts at making the world a better place.

Not Belittling Suffering

I do not wish to minimise the dreadful plight of those who suffer – and those who care for them. I watched my late wife dying in agony of cancer, which had spread from her breast to her bones. In all she suffered for some four-and-a-half years; and that was in addition to being blind since the age of 16. But she 'saw' through her pain and sorrow to a better world beyond this life as she trusted implicitly in Jesus. I well remember how, with very little lung capacity left, she raised her arms in worship of her Lord as I played some Christian songs on my guitar.

True, in view of her suffering towards the end, she wanted to go sooner rather than later. So when she asked her lady doctor how much time she had left, and "two weeks" was the reply, she was somewhat exasperated, saying she would rather it were two days. And it was! But that was a prayer to God, not a nudge for her doctor to prescribe a lethal injection.

A nation which has rejected God will soon also dispense with all his precepts and laws, eventually leaving a society with neither mercy nor justice.

A nation which has rejected God will soon also dispense with all his precepts and laws, eventually leaving a society with neither mercy nor justice.

But for those who trust in Christ, their suffering is only temporary. They look forward to a day when "he will wipe every tear from their eyes; when there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Rev 21:4).

Dr Mark Houghton

None of us who watched 9/11 on our televisions will ever forget 2001 when nearly 3000 people died. Yet September 11th 2015 may go down in history as the prelude to a higher – far higher -- intentional death toll. That day the House of Commons holds a critical vote on the Assisted Dying Bill (No 2).

Back in 2005, the deaths predicted by a Select Committee were around 650 a year if assisted suicide was legal in the United Kingdom and we had a law like Oregon, USA. The Dutch experience, on the other hand, could lead to around 13,000 deaths a year in the UK.

Britain, being the first large nation to legalise assisted 'killing for the willing', would show other nations how to remove laws currently in place. Globally, anti-abortion laws fell like a pack of cards after our 1967 law was passed.

My experiences, as a doctor and as a patient in pain, have shown me how much we all need the protection of the law. Good care kills the pain, not the patient - and this has been shown again and again. But show a crack in the door to the patient, the family or the carers, then the protection of the vulnerable melts away; killing for the unwilling begins. The 'safeguards' of the law allowing assisted suicide are regularly flouted in Holland and the handful of tiny countries that have legalised it.

We all need the protection of the law. But show a crack in the door to the patient, the family or the carers, and the protection of the vulnerable melts away.

Action Points

1. Pray that you "speak up for those being led away to death" (Prov 24:11). Pray that Britain will promote palliative care, not suicide. Pray for Christ to prevent Parliament from weakening his 6th Commandment: "You shall not kill" (Ex 20:14).

2. Learn about the debate. Go to Christian Concern for information, resources and personal stories from a Christian perspective. See also carenotkilling.org.uk and notoassistedsuicide.org.uk for resources from a secular perspective.

3. Say to your MP how you want them to vote on 11 September (this site makes it easy to email your MP).

4. Share resources others by posting on social media, or sharing in home groups or at church.