UPDATE: A webinar version as well as slideshow from this event are now available at www.pts.edu/Webinars.
The “s” word can mean different things depending on your context. To my five-year-old, the “s” word is “stupid.” For you it is probably not stupid, but my guess is that it is not the word I am thinking of. It is a word that we fear to utter in our churches and our homes. It is a word you have probably never said as a pastor or have never heard your pastor say from the pulpit. A word that destroys families; breaks parents’ hearts, and causes such deep confusion in children that they are never able to live outside of its shadow. Not only do we never say it, we never, ever want to hear it. Do you know what the word is yet? The “s” word that sends all other “s” words running out of the room?
It’s…suicide. Yes, you read correctly, suicide.
Suicide is the “s” word that leaves us nervous and trembling because even though most of us have dealt with suicide in our own families and homes, we don’t talk about it. One in 6 teenagers and 1 in 17 adults has considered suicide. That means in our families, homes, and churches someone is thinking about suicide. If most of us in our lifetime will consider it, why don’t we talk about it? Why don’t we hear about it?
Fear. Fear of death, fear of saying the wrong thing, fear of being found out, fear. 1 John 4:18 speaks to this fear, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” In the Christian community, this fear of punishment, fear of hell and damnation, that is the fear that has kept of us quiet. That fear and shame has made just the word, suicide, the “s” word.
Friends, it is time for those of us who believe the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ to learn how to talk about the “s” word—the “s” word that haunts us and causes us such great fear. There is no fear in love. So let’s begin talking about how SUICIDE and SUICIDAL THOUGHTS affect us, our families, and our communities. Join the Miller Summer Youth Institute Feb. 12 from 4:00-5:00 p.m. at PTS (McNaugher Lounge, McNaugher Hall) as we begin a conversation that affects all of us. If you cannot join us physically, find our webinar after Feb. 12 at www.pts.edu/syi.
The Rev. Erin Davenport is a 2005 alumna of the MDiv program. Through the Seminary’s joint degree program, she also earned her MSW from the University of Pittsburgh. A former chaplain, she now resides in Pittsburgh and serves as the Seminary’s Director of the Miller Summer Youth Institute.
Thank you, Erin, for initiating this important conversation. I never tire of reading the account of the Philippian jailer and the response of Paul to his attempted suicide: “Do not harm yourself, we are all here.” How many folks, young and old, suffer in quiet desperation and need to hear these words spoken to them by faith communities. Through your ministry, you are making it more likely that those words will be spoken, lives will be saved, but even more will be lifted out of isolation and into fellowship. Bless you.