Comfort When the Shadow Falls (audio)

Eddie Sharp and Cheryl Mann Bacon lead two sessions based on their book, Comfort When the Shadow Falls: Encouraging the Dying and Those Affected by Grief, offering a reflective, compassionate, and holistic examination of how Christ calls us to minister in the shadow of death. Not only do the speakers consider the biblical foundation for life, death, and hope, but they also offer seasoned, practical advice on how to serve the dying, come alongside grieving families, lead in funeral services for expected or sudden losses, and minister to the grieving unchurched in our communities.

This mini-pathway took place in ACU’s Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building on Wednesday, September 18, 2019.

Sessions

Speakers

CHERYL MANN BACON

Cheryl Mann Bacon served for 20 years as chair of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at ACU. Through this role and as a communications leader in churches where she has worshipped, she began a lifelong ministry of writing obituaries and assisting organizations in crisis. In retirement she is enjoying freelance writing and consulting, especially with churches.

JOHN KNOX

John Knox has been the preaching minister for the Granbury Church of Christ since 2004. He completed his B.A. at Lubbock Christian University and his D.Min. at ACU. In 2017, he completed an M.S. in clinical mental health counseling at LCU. John and his wife Jan have been married for 35 years and have three adult sons. John has been a law enforcement chaplain for 30 years. He is currently serving the Granbury Police Department and volunteers for the Texas Department of Public Safety as well.

JIM NICHOLS

Jim Nichols retired last May from a 47-year career as a biology professor, the last 37 years at Abilene Christian. His scientific academic interests are in physiology and cell biology. He also serves as a chaplain with Hendrick Medical Center and Kindred Hospice. For many years he was involved in developing and instructing the ACU course in Biomedical Ethics; he has also written and published in that area. His wife Jeanenne is a certified spiritual director. They have three children (Amy, Joel, and Elizabeth) and seven grandchildren. He serves an elder for the Highland Church of Christ in Abilene.

EDDIE SHARP

Eddie Sharp recently retired as the preaching minister for the University Avenue Church of Christ in Austin, Texas, where he had served since 2008. They trained under Ruth Haley Barton in her Transforming Center retreats and are part of a team leading spiritual formation retreats in Austin now. Eddie and Annette have been involved in counseling ministers and their families through the years, working as a part of the first generation of the Ministers’ Support Network.