Skip to content

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Grounded in Faith, Formed in Community

Menu
  • Home
  • Contact Us
Menu

The “S” Word Christians Fear

Posted on January 30, 2015March 9, 2021 by ptsblog
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

UPDATE: A webinar version as well as slideshow from this event are now available at www.pts.edu/Webinars.

The “s” word can mean different things depending on your context. To my five-year-old, the “s” word is “stupid.” For you it is probably not stupid, but my guess is that it is not the word I am thinking of. It is a word that we fear to utter in our churches and our homes. It is a word you have probably never said as a pastor or have never heard your pastor say from the pulpit. A word that destroys families; breaks parents’ hearts, and causes such deep confusion in children that they are never able to live outside of its shadow. Not only do we never say it, we never, ever want to hear it. Do you know what the word is yet? The “s” word that sends all other “s” words running out of the room?

It’s…suicide. Yes, you read correctly, suicide.

Suicide is the “s” word that leaves us nervous and trembling because even though most of us have dealt with suicide in our own families and homes, we don’t talk about it. One in 6 teenagers and 1 in 17 adults has considered suicide. That means in our families, homes, and churches someone is thinking about suicide. If most of us in our lifetime will consider it, why don’t we talk about it? Why don’t we hear about it?

Fear. Fear of death, fear of saying the wrong thing, fear of being found out, fear. 1 John 4:18 speaks to this fear, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” In the Christian community, this fear of punishment, fear of hell and damnation, that is the fear that has kept of us quiet. That fear and shame has made just the word, suicide, the “s” word.

Friends, it is time for those of us who believe the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ to learn how to talk about the “s” word—the “s” word that haunts us and causes us such great fear. There is no fear in love. So let’s begin talking about how SUICIDE and SUICIDAL THOUGHTS affect us, our families, and our communities. Join the Miller Summer Youth Institute Feb. 12 from 4:00-5:00 p.m. at PTS (McNaugher Lounge, McNaugher Hall) as we begin a conversation that affects all of us. If you cannot join us physically, find our webinar after Feb. 12 at www.pts.edu/syi.

The Rev. Erin Davenport is a 2005 alumna of the MDiv program. Through the Seminary’s joint degree program, she also earned her MSW from the University of Pittsburgh. A former chaplain, she now resides in Pittsburgh and serves as the Seminary’s Director of the Miller Summer Youth Institute.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Twitter

1 thought on “The “S” Word Christians Fear”

  1. J. Russell Crabtree says:
    February 2, 2015 at 2:11 pm

    Thank you, Erin, for initiating this important conversation. I never tire of reading the account of the Philippian jailer and the response of Paul to his attempted suicide: “Do not harm yourself, we are all here.” How many folks, young and old, suffer in quiet desperation and need to hear these words spoken to them by faith communities. Through your ministry, you are making it more likely that those words will be spoken, lives will be saved, but even more will be lifted out of isolation and into fellowship. Bless you.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Founded in 1794, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is a graduate theological school of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), offering master's and doctor of ministry degrees as well as certificate programs. Participating in God's ongoing mission in the world, Pittsburgh Seminary is a community of Christ joining in the Spirit's work of forming and equipping people for ministries familiar and yet to unfold and communities present and yet to be gathered.

Recent Posts

  • Opening A New Chapter—A Second-Career Student’s Story
  • The Fred McFeely Rogers Awardee for Creative Ministry (2025)
  • Pastor Burnout
  • The Promise of Pentecost
  • Praying for the Global Church

Categories

  • Book Recommendations
  • Church Planting
  • Counseling
  • Inside the PTS Curriculum
  • Ministry
  • People of PTS
  • Protestant Spirituality
  • Seminary and Programs
  • Sermon Writing Tips
  • Social Work
  • Theological Reflection
  • Uncategorized
  • Who Is My Neighbor?

Archives

Tags

Bible study Black History Month Call to ministry Christian spirituality church planting church planting for new communities church planting in pennsylvania Communion elements community Community worship doctor of ministry education faith and politics fasting Festivals and holy days Fred Rogers Good Samaritan Lent master of divinity mdiv alumni mdiv program mdiv program and social work MDiv program Pittsburgh ministry Ministry conferences and events Mission reflections mission trip pastoral care pastoral counseling Pastoral vocation PCUSA Seminary community seminary experience Seminary experiences sermon writing tips Social justice Spiritual journeys theological education theology and social work Urban ministry Volunteering Women in ministry world mission World Mission Initiative Youth ministry

Top Posts and Pages

  • Opening A New Chapter—A Second-Career Student's Story
    Opening A New Chapter—A Second-Career Student's Story
  • Why does God hate me?
    Why does God hate me?
  • Praying with Someone Experiencing Depression
    Praying with Someone Experiencing Depression
  • Inside the PTS Curriculum: Violence in the Bible
    Inside the PTS Curriculum: Violence in the Bible
  • Looking for Mister Rogers
    Looking for Mister Rogers
  • Inside the PTS Curriculum: Social Movements and the Church
    Inside the PTS Curriculum: Social Movements and the Church
  • Wise Women: A Community of H.O.P.E.
    Wise Women: A Community of H.O.P.E.
  • The Mysterious and the Manageable
    The Mysterious and the Manageable
  • What is Epiphany?
    What is Epiphany?
  • The Promise of Pentecost
    The Promise of Pentecost

Subscribe to Blog via E-mail

Enter your e-mail address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by e-mail.

© 2025 Pittsburgh Theological Seminary | Powered by Superbs Personal Blog theme