The Ringmaster: A Clergy Guide to Funerals/Memorials/Wakes in the African American Tradition - Second Edition

Fulfilling the demands of clergy persons when a member dies is both diverse and challenging. Presumptions are made as to your expertise and prior experience with similar circumstances. But what happens when expectations are higher than your preparation, who can you turn to for support?

I offer the Ringmaster as a tool to help you navigate the waters. This book is an intimate look at actual death and grief events and examples of the care provided from the initial response through the burial and beyond. It also includes examples of how death can impact the church and broader communities and the depth of response required.

This book is not a textbook or a theological thesis. It is written as an overview and glimpse at my 35 years of ministry to persons dealing with the passing of one loved one, to those who have suffered the unimaginable death of many in one family. 

Could you benefit from a discussion of your response to a family's desire to have someone other than you conduct the eulogy?

Clarifying and communicating your position on cremation.

If it's appropriate to give an invitation to accept Christ during a funeral service or memorial?  Is it Ministry or Manipulation?

What if you had a resource that explores topics not covered normally in Seminary or Bible College? Imagine having a tool that includes a list of appropriate Old and New Testament Bible Scriptures for funerals, wakes of memorial services.  If so, then this resource is for you.

The Ringmaster is written to address those whose ministry is primarily to persons in the African-American Community, to those who must deal with the ethos of black grief. This is not to suggest in any way that all grief is not shared equally or that one is of greater importance than another. But this serves to accentuate that the cultural aspect of black grief is an entity unto itself.

There is really nothing quite like black grief.  Purchase your copy now.