# Episode 60: When Church is Hard: Staying Connected to the Body of Christ Through Grief with Eric Schumacher Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/hope-mommies-podcast-gospel-hope-for-grieving-moms-6741433/episode-60-when-church-is-hard-staying-connected-to-the-body-of-christ-through-grief-with-eric-schumacher Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/hope-mommies-podcast-gospel-hope-for-grieving-moms-6741433/episode-60-when-church-is-hard-staying-connected-to-the-body-of-christ-through-grief-with-eric-schumacher.md Podcast: [Hope Mommies Podcast - Gospel Hope for Grieving Moms](https://stenobird.com/podcast/hope-mommies-podcast-gospel-hope-for-grieving-moms-6741433) Published: 2026-01-21T09:31:00+00:00 Episode link: https://1a5ab868-ec56-49a4-b4ad-b7ebcc872da5.libsyn.com/episode-60-when-church-is-hard-staying-connected-to-the-body-of-christ-through-grief-with-eric-schumacher Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/1a5ab868-ec56-49a4-b4ad-b7ebcc872da5/Ep_60__When_Church_is_Hard_with_Eric_Schumacher_with_tribute.mp3?dest-id=4145223 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/hope-mommies-podcast-gospel-hope-for-grieving-moms-6741433/episodes/episode-60-when-church-is-hard-staying-connected-to-the-body-of-christ-through-grief-with-eric-schumacher Duration seconds: 3620 ## Resource Church can be one of the hardest places to be when you're grieving—and yet, it can be one of the most vital. In this conversation, Kristin sits down with author and pastor Eric Schumacher to talk honestly about when church feels hard, especially after loss. Together they explore why gathering with believers can stir both comfort and pain, how shame often gets tangled up with sorrow in church settings, and what helps us keep showing up when it would be easier to stay home. Eric shares from his own experience of pastoring through grief and reminds us of the beauty of being part of Christ's body—even when (or especially when) our hearts feel heavy. They also discuss: The importance of hearing others sing, pray, and confess when we're hurting How baptism and communion point us back to our hope in Christ Practical ways churches can better care for grieving families What it means to be "saved into a family" rather than a solo faith If being in church feels especially tender right now, this episode is for you. May it remind you that Jesus has not given up on His Church, no matter how difficult things may appear. Links: Dads Hurt Too: A Father's Memoir of Miscarriage Eric Schumacher Rediscover Church: Why the Body of Christ Is Essential (The Gospel Coalition and 9Marks) by Collin Hansen and Jonathan Leeman Hope Mommies Website Subscribe to our Newsletter Join our online Facebook Group Connect with us on Facebook Connect with us on Instagram Podcast Guest Submission Make a Donation In Loving Memory This episode of the Hope Mommies Podcast is sponsored by the McInerney Family, in honor of Teagan Paul McInerney. The McInerney Family shares, "Happy birthday, beloved boy! How humbling to think you've been part of our family for 6 years. We miss you greatly, but rejoice knowing that… ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/hope-mommies-podcast-gospel-hope-for-grieving-moms-6741433/episodes/episode-60-when-church-is-hard-staying-connected-to-the-body-of-christ-through-grief-with-eric-schumacher/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/hope-mommies-podcast-gospel-hope-for-grieving-moms-6741433/episode-60-when-church-is-hard-staying-connected-to-the-body-of-christ-through-grief-with-eric-schumacher.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.