This advisory will help you take some time to look at END OF LIFE ISSUES in light of your beliefs to be better prepared to make decisions and less likely to rely on feelings and pain in the urgency of circumstances.
Christians believe we are created in God's image...giving us great privileges and great responsibility with our mortal body and our immortal soul. Therefore, there is a strong Christian case against Euthanasia - the act of shortening a human life by direct means as well as strong cautions on hastening death by withholding basic nutrition and water. There's no way to gauge ahead of time what situation you or your loved one may face toward the end of life, but separate from the diseases and the technology and medicine to combat those conditions, there are principles that may guide your actions.
What might this mean in a moment of crisis? Death can be faced with true dignity. End of life decisions should not be based solely on sparing expense, time or care for those with a diminishing quality of life. Stopping "artificial nutrition and hydration", as it is less than merciful, should be reserved ONLY for those in irreversible systemic decline – with no expectation of return of brain function, and WITH strong patient consent. Yet, extraordinary measures to prolong our time here may not be justifiable if those only delay our passing into eternal life.
If facing a terminal illness, pursue hospice care. Indeed the appropriate approach to dying with dignity includes proper counseling, family support, and competent palliative care (pain control and provisions for comfort) in hospice or home. Final days can be a powerful time for thought and quiet actions that resolve matters with God and family.
God is with us throughout long term debilitating illness or injury and can use those difficult times to give meaning to suffering as many dear saints have experienced. Disability and pain are NOT reasons preventing us from living fully human lives and we should always be considered fully human until the moment of death. Among other things, this would argue that there should be no experimentation without explicit consent.
Two documents are important to consider. Toward the end of life, a "DNR" (Do Not Resuscitate) may be warranted. It is the patient's right (or the family’s, if the patient is unable) to decide against aggressive treatment or extraordinary means or artificial organ support. BUT don't be rushed or pushed into such a decision – seek the Lord’s timing on letting go. Tailor your actions to the circumstances before you. The second document, an “Advance Health Care Directive”, is important to create and have on file once you are a legal adult. An advance directive has two functions: it allows the person you have selected to speak for you if you are unable to communicate, and it expresses your wishes. Advance Directive forms are available at most hospitals and on-line at The California Coalition for Compassionate Care.
In addition to the above two documents, an organ donor card can be signed for advance consent to give the gift of extended life to another. These forms are available through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). We hope to revisit these and other issues in light of the present state of medical technology and enduring Biblical principles on the sanctity of life. Moreover, those committed to a dynamic Health Ministry here at Lake Avenue Church want to come along side those in need and provide education and access to resources. God guides us all in our journey of life
What might this mean in a moment of crisis? Death can be faced with true dignity. End of life decisions should not be based solely on sparing expense, time or care for those with a diminishing quality of life. Stopping "artificial nutrition and hydration", as it is less than merciful, should be reserved ONLY for those in irreversible systemic decline – with no expectation of return of brain function, and WITH strong patient consent. Yet, extraordinary measures to prolong our time here may not be justifiable if those only delay our passing into eternal life.
If facing a terminal illness, pursue hospice care. Indeed the appropriate approach to dying with dignity includes proper counseling, family support, and competent palliative care (pain control and provisions for comfort) in hospice or home. Final days can be a powerful time for thought and quiet actions that resolve matters with God and family.
God is with us throughout long term debilitating illness or injury and can use those difficult times to give meaning to suffering as many dear saints have experienced. Disability and pain are NOT reasons preventing us from living fully human lives and we should always be considered fully human until the moment of death. Among other things, this would argue that there should be no experimentation without explicit consent.
Two documents are important to consider. Toward the end of life, a "DNR" (Do Not Resuscitate) may be warranted. It is the patient's right (or the family’s, if the patient is unable) to decide against aggressive treatment or extraordinary means or artificial organ support. BUT don't be rushed or pushed into such a decision – seek the Lord’s timing on letting go. Tailor your actions to the circumstances before you. The second document, an “Advance Health Care Directive”, is important to create and have on file once you are a legal adult. An advance directive has two functions: it allows the person you have selected to speak for you if you are unable to communicate, and it expresses your wishes. Advance Directive forms are available at most hospitals and on-line at The California Coalition for Compassionate Care.
In addition to the above two documents, an organ donor card can be signed for advance consent to give the gift of extended life to another. These forms are available through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). We hope to revisit these and other issues in light of the present state of medical technology and enduring Biblical principles on the sanctity of life. Moreover, those committed to a dynamic Health Ministry here at Lake Avenue Church want to come along side those in need and provide education and access to resources. God guides us all in our journey of life
