Thomas G. Long

Publishers Weekly review of Accompany Them with Singing: The Christian Funeral

2009-11-05T11:40:18-08:00

Publishers Weekly

September 14, 2009

(Starred Review)

Accompany Them with Singing: The Christian Funeral
Thomas G. Long. Westminster John Knox, $24.95 (230p) ISBN 978-0-664-23319-8

Long, a homiletics professor and well-regarded preacher, argues that funerals have become spiritually “impoverished” and need revitalization. Providing a comprehensive review of the history, traditions and theology of Christian funerals, Long notes that recent decades have seen both growing comfort with cremation and an increased preference for disembodied memorial services offering “closure.” In defiance of this trend, Long argues that just as bodies are present for baptism and weddings, they should be present for funerals. Long laments that eulogies celebrating individual lives often replace gospel preaching and advocates instead that liturgies emphasize a community’s conveyance of a beloved’s body to its final resting place, “worshipping as they go.” Delineating the purposes of a good funeral, Long urges clergy and congregations to embrace funerals as opportunities to “act out one more time the great and hopeful drama of how the Christian life moves from death to life” and from baptism to resurrection. This book promises to be a welcome theological resource and practical guide for pastors and others who care for the dying and officiate at Christian funerals. (Oct.)

Interview with Dr. Tom Long that was published in The Bulletin of Selected Independent Funeral Homes, Sep-Oct 2009

2009-11-05T11:13:37-08:00

Dr. Long recently spoke with The Bulletin in an exclusive interview in which he discussed his new book, the historical development of the Christian funeral and recent cultural trends in funeral practices. Thomas G. Long interview in The Bulletin of Selected Independent Funeral Homes, Sep-Oct 2009

Tom Long participated in the 11th Annual Christian Century Lecture and Workshop

2009-11-03T06:58:59-08:00

Tom Long participated in the 11th Annual Christian Century Lecture and Workshop in Chicago on September 24 and 25, 2009. He lectured on the topic “ ‘One Little Word Shall Fell Him’: A New Moment for Pulpit and Public Rhetoric,” and conducted a workshop, with Thomas Lynch, on “Good Death, Good Grief, Good Funerals.” Tom is the author of several WJK books, including The Witness of Preaching, Preaching from Memory to Hope, and Accompany Them with Singing—The Christian Funeral.

Chronicle of a Death We Can’t Accept by Tom Long

2009-11-02T15:05:53-08:00

This past Sunday November 1, 2009 our very own author Tom Long had an Op-Ed published in The New York Times on the topic of his NEW book "Accompany Them with Singing—The Christian Funeral." The title of his Op-Ed was "Chronicle of a Death We Can’t Accept." Please take a moment to read and share with friends. We've made the first chapter of this book available for FREE. We hope you enjoy!

Accompany Them with Singing—The Christian Funeral - Chapter 1 by Thomas G. Long

2009-11-02T11:12:20-08:00

Accompany Them with Singing—The Christian Funeral - Chapter 1 by Thomas G. Long

An interview with Thomas G. Long, author of Accompany Them With Singing - The Christian Funeral

2009-10-28T10:53:05-07:00

Andrew Yeager-Buckley