Episode 36: What Does The Bible Say About Organ Donation? with Pastor Chris Beard

On this episode, host Andy is going to talk to Pastor Chris Beard. He is the leader and pastor of the People’s Church located near the University of Cincinnati. They are discussing how the concept of faith  intersects with the idea of organ, eye, and tissue donation.

 

Episode Highlights: 

• We just wrapped up national donor Sabbath month, the time when faith leaders or people in their congregation take time out to highlight organ donations within their places of worship, says Andy.
• Chris shares about his congregation statistics and the church.
• The church has been in the process of 20 years of moving from homogeneity into a multicultural reality, which led to a church name change about ten years ago. It was an intentional decision to follow the Scriptures and the vision of Jesus, Chris shares.
• Chris shares how speaking of life means speaking the truth. He calls for continued thought towards and prayer for there to be able people, willing, and a good matches for donation. 
• Being created by the creator, we have the ability for creative thinking, and let us trust the scientists, the artists, and the engineers of this world to do what they do to bring the quality of life, says David.
• Andy asks, “For many people who may not be happy this time of year because they are grieving a loss… as a pastor, what would you offer to encourage our listeners?”
• There is a sadness from a loss that will never be fully overcome, and grief is something that has been with us for a lifetime. 
• There is healing in sharing with other friends about the memories, feelings, and losses of people who are dear to us.
• A poor theology of new earth and new heaven causes an effect on a lot of decisions in the current day out of lack of knowledge.
• Some of America’s racism and medical history was sinfully, wrongfully made concerning people of color, and that story still keeps people of color from life and health.
• The telling of the true stories will diminish the power of the myths, which is very powerful.
• David asks the listeners to be strategic about organ and tissue donation to the new and younger generation. He says that we need more stories of those who receive the donation and the quality of life added, and hearing their stories will inspire others.

3 Key Points:

1. There is a sense in the Christian tradition within evangelicalism or fundamentalism that ‘If my body isn’t buried whole, how will I be raised from the dead properly?’
2. David shares his thoughts on what he would say to someone who is very ingrained in their faith in God but doesn’t want to be a donor.
3. Andy highlights the myths around tissue and organ donations that sit in the families for generations and somehow become factual.

Resources Mentioned:

• LifeCenter | website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube|  Twitter
• Andi Johnson  website |LinkedIn 
• Organ Donation Website
• Pastor Chris Beard  https://www.peopleschurch.co/