For centuries, many churches have treated suicide as an unforgivable act and would deny church burial for those who took their lives. In recent times, there has been a more thoughtful and informed response. R T Kendall, Christian writer, teacher and speaker said
“The Christian community needs to respond to suicide with ‘deepest compassion.”
Sometimes we lose sight of who we are as a Christian community. We are a community of vulnerable people needing help. However, empowered by God and living by the hope of the Gospel, we also are a community of healing.
Suicide prevention is not optional. It is our calling in God and no community or individual is exempt. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (1999) expressed it like this
“Our efforts to prevent suicide grow out of our obligation to protect and promote life, our hope in God amid suffering and adversity, and our love for our troubled neighbour.”
Hope For Tomorrow 