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and what would you say about the decease who backslid from God, was living in sin (by their admission), but because they felt they had went to church and helped in the church (played the guitar) that they were still going to Heaven.Before this person died, I tried to talk to them and their church friends have talked with them about what they were doing, but they felt they were doing nothing wrong and it was no one else's business what they did. What would you say about this person at their funeral? I will speak about their job they retired from and their hobbies. Their sister, who lives in Oregon, believes they were a saint, because she has told me all they talked about was how they loved our church. They had friends that don't go to church and they knew this person did, so I am assuming they will expect to hear how they work in the church, loved the Lord, and are walking the streets of Glory, but I will not preach them into Heaven.

Most of us THINK we know the final destination of the soul. That is territory only God KNOWS. A funeral is a time for the family, a time to comfort. I would list every good thing I could about the guy. Nothing you or the family can say or do will determine 'his' destination, but love his family. They need love and comfort now more than anytime in their lives, in relation to the dead.God in his love as a father, determines our end.Best of luck my friend, this is one of the times a real pastor with heart is needed. Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

Is it the preacher's job to proclaim someone a saint?

Eddie, S.A. Lankford related to me that one of his members husband was killed in an accident. He was pastoring Norwood, NC. He went to the funeral at a 'Primitive Baptist Church' out of respect for his member. He said the opening statement by the preacher was. 'This is not about this man in front of me, he is dead and burning in Hell as I speak, my question is, Do you want to join him?Now that wouldn't comfort too much, but would sure get your attention. Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

Ernie,I remember when I had my first heart attack about 7 years ago, I was in the ER, not able to speak but I could hear everything that was going on around me. I remember them trying to talk to me, asking me if they could cut my shirt off, telling the nurses to give me more nitroglycerin, heard someone say very clearly get the paddles ready and all the while I was having a conversation with God. I wasn't speaking with my mouth because I am not sure I could talk but I remember my conversation with God. I told Him that I trust him, I told Him that I know he will take care of my wife and 3 kids and I said You are in charge and the next thing I remembers is waking up in the CICU. I told you that story because it helped me preach funerals. It told me that even though we don't hear the person confess their sins, God is still speaking to them and quite possibly they are still speaking to God. Yes, I had all those people working to keep me alive but my heart and mind was on God in the midst of all that chaos. That heart attack showed me how merciful and loving that God really is to us all. Yes I was a preacher, a pastor and I just started a church but does that mean I was ready to meet God? I'm not sure but I do know I was talking to my maker and I knew He was in charge and I was not afraid of death (death where is your sting).I found a scripture verse that validated what happened to me: Jonah 2:7Jonah 2:7(KJV) When my soul fainted within me I

Are you going to have a eulogy as a part of it? Friends could tell stories and give the eulogy. You could follow up with a more generic message on getting ready to meet your maker, what Thessalonians says about the resurrection, etc

Is it the preacher's job to proclaim someone a saint?If you were doing the funeral, how would you do it?

Eddie, S.A. Lankford related to me that one of his members husband was killed in an accident. He was pastoring Norwood, NC. He went to the funeral at a 'Primitive Baptist Church' out of respect for his member. He said the opening statement by the preacher was. 'This is not about this man in front of me, he is dead and burning in Hell as I speak, my question is, Do you want to join him?Now that wouldn't comfort too much, but would sure get your attention.

Here's how I did it

I was asked by a lady in my church to do a funeral for her cousin who was not a Christian. I asked her why she wanted me to do it as he never went to a church. She replied she felt the family should be ministered to and she wanted them to have an opportunity to hear about Jesus. I approach most funerals as an evangelistic opportunity so I agreed. The family, two sons and a wife, didn't want to meet with me and I was apprehensive about doing the funeral but they agreed to it. I gathered as much info on the gentleman as I could and determined there wasn't much to like about him.I am not his judge, God is so I never indicated where he might or not be and I spoke nicely about the few good character traits he had and allowed some family to share but it was brief. I then proceeded to preach a gospel message using Jesus' story of the rich man and Lazarus but in no way related the rich man in hell to the deceased but merely used it to say if the deceased was here he would implore his family to get right with God so they might see him again and I gave an altar call which got no response.I ministered in love to these people the Gospel of God's Grace. After the interment the sons came up to me quite angry and indicated that they were upset by the idea they should have to be born again and angry that I was even there. My contention was at least perhaps a seed was sown and beyond that they heard the truth and I would never have to stand before God with their blood on my hands. I did it in love and gentleness but I am reminded of the scripture in 2 Cor. 2:14-17 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. (15) For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. (16)