Tears at the Altar, Lament in My Breasts
This Pastor Confronts Grief from the Pulpit
- Counseling, Grief & Mental Health
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Published: 2025
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Publisher's Description
Grief is a language many are forced to learn. Yet, the spaces many turn to for solace often fail to make room for its depth and complexity. Tears at the Altar, Lament in My Breasts is a courageous exploration of lament as a sacred act of worship and a pathway to healing. Born from the author's raw experience of the death of her child, this book invites readers into the messy, unfiltered reality of grief while challenging churches and communities to reimagine worship as a space where lament is not only welcome but essential. Through touching personal reflections, a bold reexamination of Scripture, and practical tools for ministry, this book illuminates how lament can liberate us from the silence and suppression that too often accompanies suffering. Whether you are grieving, supporting someone who is, or rethinking how faith communities engage with trauma, Tears at the Altar offers wisdom, vulnerability, and hope through naming the pain, honoring the love, and knowing that God is in the midst of it all.
Endorsements (4)
“Andrea Campbell Byer Thomas has written an honest and profound book. In it she recounts her own deep loss. Then, she surveys some of the Bible’s most disturbing stories, exposing the trauma and pain in them. Finally, she helps the reader find in these passages a message of hope. A rare treasure.”
“Campbell Byer Thomas beckons faith leaders to rediscover the language of lament both in their own spiritual practices and in their worship leadership. This is a must-read book for clergy and laity who seek to take seriously the reality of grief and trauma in their pews.”
“Tears at the Altar is an account of personal loss that offers insights for ministry.”
“Andrea Campbell Byer Thomas has written a brave and honest call to lament as faithful response to grief. Born of her own experience of loss and heartache, her words encourage us to give expression to our suffering, refuse to settle for easy answers, and trust that God is present, nonetheless.”
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