The Grieving Heart: Uplifting Funeral Homilies

by Stephen Moore Martin

Overview

Dr. Martin served for 40 years as an Ordained United Methodist pastor in the Western North Carolina Conference. He is a Vietnam combat veteran serving with the 26th Marines at Khe Sanh in 1968. He has been married to Shirley Bruce for over 49 years, have one son and two grandchildren. His family is now living their retirement in Greensboro, North Carolina.

He received his undergraduate degree from Pfeiffer College, Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School, and his Doctor of Ministry from Trinity.

Growing up a preacher's kid gave a unique perspective on ministry. He has learned over the years that relationships are of vital importance for ministry to go forward. Usually appointed to churches that needed some relationship building, Dr. Martin knew that skills as a listener, putting others first, and seeing all of us on the same journey helped to heal past broken relationships and build even stronger ones for the years to come.

I believe you will see his relationship with his congregations and those who called upon him to help in time of need between the lines as he spoke to the grieving hearts before him in each of these situations. It is his hope and prayer that you will receive some comfort, grace and peace as you read through and meditate upon the grieving heart.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538035122
Publisher:	Kim Idynne
Publication date:	09/16/2017
Edition description:	Homilies to Uplift Those in Grief ed.
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.61(d)

About the Author

Stephen Moore Martin was born in Reidsville, NC to Methodist Clergy parents, grew up moving from church to church and place to place... never in one place more than four years. He enlisted in the Marines in 1965, serving one tour of duty in South Vietnam (Khe Sanh in 1968). Wounded in Quang Tri and medically-evacuated to the Army 106th Hospital in Yokohama, Japan and then back to the States at Camp Lejeune. After leaving the Marine Corps he began taking the necessary steps to become a United Methodist Pastor. This included College and Seminary at Duke Divinity School, followed a few years later with post-graduate studies to receive his Doctor of Ministry degree from Trinity Seminary. He married Shirley Lea Bruce and they have enjoyed the pride of their lives, their son Stephen Bruce Martin. Stephen Bruce and his wife Joy Cantrell have graced this family with two beautiful, bright, creative and loving children; Noah and Abby. Through all the ups and downs of the life of a pastor we have been surrounded by people who have lifted us high on the mountain and revealed to us a higher plane of living. Dr. Martin is always quick to point to all the people who crossed his path as the ones who have built his faith and life. He served forty years as a pastor in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church where he excelled in being known as a peacekeeper and a healer of churches going through difficult times. His gentle spirit, humorous outlook and reconciling approach to life and ministry allowed the grace of God to work through his ministry to heal the sick, mend the broken, and renew that which had all but given up. Needless to say, in most places the Martin's were loved and accepted as part of church families.