The power of being present. John Newton the Care Pastor of Northview Church talks about how important it is to be present for a parent in time of grief. John offers some practical steps for dealing with long term grief. It is important to understand that grief from the loss of a child is normal and will last a lifetime. John shared the importance of utilizing resources that can help better understand grief and how to manage it. John provided a list of resources for parents dealing with grief.
Resources for parents who have lost a child
Focus on the Family – Offers free counseling and a network of Christian counselors for ongoing support.
Ian’s Place – Provides a safe space with support groups, bible studies, and resources for parents grieving loss, including loss to addiction.
Red Bird Ministries – Systematically guides families through the trauma of child loss (miscarriage, still birth, etc.) with faith-based support.
Umbrella Ministries – A network of mothers supporting other mothers through mentoring, care groups, and retreats.
The Compassionate Friends – A large well-regarded organization offering support for families grieving a child’s death.
SHARE (Pregnancy & Infant loss support) – Offers support for loss from miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant death, with faith-based materials.
M.E.N.D. (Mommies Enduring Neonatal Death) – A Christian non-profit reaching out to families who have suffered the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant death.
GriefShare – A network of thousands of local support groups hosted by churches. They offer a 13-week seminar/support group featuring videos from experts and small group discussions.
Association of Certified Biblical Counselors – Provides a directory to find certified biblical counselors who focus on scripture-based guidance for deep grief.
Book Recommendations
Empty Arms
An Empty Cradle
A Full Heart
I’ll Hold you in Heaven
Choosing to see
Grieving the Child I Never Knew
Safe in the Arms of God
I will Carry You
A Grace Disguised
