Gordon Atkinson (a.k.a. Real Live Preacher) is one of my favorite Christian bloggers. He's a pastor of a small Baptist congregation in Texas. He writes regularly about the joys and the pains of ministry and the challenges of faith in a way that often touches me deeply. He parlayed his blogging into a book and a regular column for Christian Century magazine, so I suppose he's an inspiration to all of us who've worked in this medium.

Gordon also has a birds eye view of some of the more virulent strains of fundamentalism that have worked their way into Christian life. He writes this week about a particularly tragic story, a man with inoperable cancer who fell in with a congregation of folks who believe that if your faith is strong enough, you can "claim" your miracles. This man and his family believed he had been healed right up until the day his tumor killed him. Then came the funeral:

I attended the funeral, which was held at their new church. Everyone seemed very upbeat. They celebrated Johns life, as of course they should have. Then the pastor rose to speak. He looked down from his pulpit at Johns family, and he had this to say:

Allison, Sam, and Teddy, dont cry for John. You have no reason to cry because hes not dead. I know the doctors say he is dead. I know that everyone thinks he is dead, but hes not.

This got everyones attention. I know I sat up a little straighter when I heard it. Then the pastor continued:

John is alive right now in heaven with Jesus. And because he is in heaven, he's happier now than ever before. You have no reason to cry. Smile and be happy. Youll see John again one day in heaven....

Being with Jesus in heaven is also a part of our theology, and it has a proper place in a Christian funeral, certainly. But heaven should never be used to talk people out of their grief.

I thought to myself, My God, these boys were not allowed to talk about their fathers cancer. They were not allowed even to admit the reality of it. They were allowed no preparation for his death. And now that their father is dead, they aren't allowed to cry. Even crying is seen as a lack of faith."

The first rule of ministry ought to be the same as the first rule for physicians: "First, do no harm." And you can do serious, serious harm in this business, make no mistake. Thanks, Gordon, for helping us remember that.