William H. Griffith is a retired minister and former hospice chaplain having served in Phoenix AZ and Columbus Indiana. He has written three books which focus on death and dying issues. His first book "Confronting Death", now out of print, addressed the difficult issue of persons discussing death with others. "More Than a Parting Prayer: Lessons in care giving for the dying" are stories and lessons shared with him during his years of being a chaplain in Phoenix, AZ. "Tears in a Bottle: Learning how to Grieve Well", the third book in his trilogy provides stories both from his chaplaincy and from biblical stories that provide the reader a helpful insights for moving through the process of grieving well.
His last book moved from issues of grief, to the theme of leadership and discipleship. The book "8 Questions Jesus asked: Discipleship for Leaders" was a collaborative effort with Rev. Daniel Cash, pastor of First Baptist Church in Columbus, Indiana, and was created as a resource for small group ministries in the church. Griffith and Cash will have a new book released in the fall of 2018.
Griffith and his wife Lois have celebrated 55 years of marriage; have three adult children, ten grandchildren and one great grandchild. He is an active member of First Baptist Church in Columbus, Indiana where he co-leads a "Men of Faith" study group. He holds both a Doctor of Ministry and Masters of Divinity degree and has 35 years of pastoral ministry experience.
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In this new study, Dan Cash and I tackle the reality of the changing Christian Church. In a rapidly shifting culture we turn to Scripture to explore eight paradigm shifts in the history of Christ’s gospel and its birth of the church. Beginning with Jesus’ parable of the new wineskins for new wine, Dan and I suggest that God is inviting today’s church leaders to consider new ways of being the body of Christ in the world. The format is perfect for an 8-week study in small groups or Bible studies. The chapters identify a key shift in the New Testament narrative and a related dynamic of change with its relevance for local congregations and their leaders. The table of contents and the “Introduction” chapter are included here for you to preview.
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Bringing a dual focus to two important areas of faith and congregational life, leadership and discipleship, this book draws on the best of biblical scholarship and the wisdom of today’s leadership coaching practices. It focuses on eight powerful questions from the Gospels, and examines their significance for leaders.
Using real and relevant ministry situations, 8 Questions Jesus Asked will help individuals examine their faith journey. Each chapter includes the biblical passage, exploration of the question in context, and application of the question and its insights.
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Grief is a universal experience, yet it's not instinctive to grieve well. Nor does our culture support the grief process. So, most of us just want it over with. But there's a better way. With hope as the foundation, the reader is challenged to grow in the ability to grieve.
The book provides a wide spectrum of stories from the Bible and contemporary life that will encourage the reader to trust God for hope and healing. Those who have experienced loss will readily find a common bond with the stories in this book.
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No where do we receive an education on how to care for someone who is dying. We most often learn from being confronted with the necessity of caring for someone we love, and we are at a loss to know what to do or what to say.
In my book “More Than a Parting Prayer: Lessons in care-giving for the dying” I share 28 intimate stories that reveal lessons I have learned as a hospice chaplain from those who are dying. Each of the brief chapters identifies the specific lessons learned from that shared experience. Included are additional reflection questions for the reader, or a group leader to use in facilitating additional reflection.