Kevin Shelby and Matt Carter Discuss Ministering in Communal Grief

April 17, 2020

Dr. Kevin Shelby serves as a professor in the Master’s in Professional Counseling program at Harding University on the Memphis campus. He and Dr. Matt Carter talk about the grief and trauma associated with this pandemic and how ministers can help their congregations and their own health during this time.

Key Take-aways:

  • Grief is the natural result of the many losses we have experienced in the midst of this pandemic.
  • Name your emotions and do not resist them.
  • Don’t be a superhero, reach out to someone you can talk to and process what you are going through.
  • Encourage people to make amends.
  • People are not the threat. The virus is the threat.
  • This is trauma. Seek counseling and don’t let a negative response continue.
  • The Grief Recovery Handbook (Amazon affiliate link – As an Amazon Affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases made using our Amazon.com affiliate code.)
  • Dr. Shelby’s Podcast

Dr. Kevin Shelby is an Assistant Professor in the counseling program. He is passionate about training and equipping students to be effectively integrate their faith and their profession to advance the Kingdom here in Memphis. Shelby is currently consulting with the state of Tennessee to provide guidance and assistance with a pilot program designed to keep “at risk” children in their homes. He has a desire to serve children who do not have access to appropriate mental health services and is currently assisting in the establishment of a non-profit agency that will provide those services.

Dr. Matt Carter serves as Director of Admissions at HST. He spent many years in campus ministry before coming to the school. Matt’s current research focuses on the area of spiritual gifts and how churches can help Christians find their fit in the congregation. See the One Body Workshop website for more information.

Harding School of Theology, a graduate school of theology (seminary) in Memphis, TN, has been equipping ministers since 1958. Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, and offering degree programs at the master’s and doctoral levels, HST equips Christian leaders to higher standards of ministry scholarship and challenges them to a deeper faith in God. Combining academic rigor and interpersonal connections, HST emphasizes student engagement in ministry as they study. HST is associated with Churches of Christ, is part of the Stone-Campbell Movement, and is part of Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas.

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