A Pastoral Approach to Counseling Believers in Pregancy Loss

Abstract

The stark reality of pregnancy loss and the manner in which pregnancy loss ministry is mistreated or ignored in our world present compelling reasons for pastors to seriously consider how they will respond in such situations. Many grieving parents mourn in silence while their pain goes unnoticed or encounter an insensitive world when they do share their grief. There is also a wide variety of approaches Christians take to this question, even among Lutherans. This paper aims to help Lutheran pastors minister to believers who have suffered a miscarriage or stillbirth. With the input of Lutheran pastors and theologians, past and present, I examine the biblical foundations for valuing the life of unborn children and for the comfort and hope that Christians can receive in pregnancy loss. Pastors can point grieving believers to the sure promises God has made about their children and can treat them as they would any other departed believer. Pastors also need to equip themselves for the various challenges which pregnancy loss presents. The pastor who properly prepares himself to minister to believers after pregnancy loss will be better equipped to bring them comfort and guidance as they carry this heavy cross.