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Stephen
Ministry Overview
Christ Caring for People Through People
Stephen Ministry is ...
a ministry of our
congregation that equips lay persons to provide distinctively Christian
one-to-one care to
those who are experiencing all kinds of life needs and circumstances. It
emphasizes God as the cure giver, with Stephen Ministers as caregivers.
Stephen Ministers have gone through extensive training in how to provide care
for people who are in need of extra comfort and support. The Stephen Ministry
program is actively at work in our church. If you or someone you know would
like to talk with a caring friend who provides confidential Christian care,
please call one of the pastors at 648-2662 or any of the Stephen Leaders: Jane Keisler (649-6675) or Marilyn Sackett (641-7382).
"Love one
another...as I have loved you." John 13:34
Stephen Ministers are committed Christian people who...
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express God's care through their lives to others;
- receive 50 hours of initial training in
important caring ministry skills and concepts;
- are commissioned as Stephen Ministers
after completing their initial training;
- visit another person regularly and
dependably and offer Christian support and care;
- participate in regular support and
supervision under guidance of trained Stephen Leaders
- are committed to preserving the
confidential nature of the caring relationship;
- serve for at least two years;
- receive continuing education and skill
building throughout their years of service.
"Be kind and compassionate to one another." Ephesians 4:2
Meets the Needs of People ...
There are times when each of us needs the care of another
person, a Christian friend, a
Stephen Minister! Those needing support may include but are
not limited to people who are...
- a new parent
- a new church member
- an "empty nester"
- retiring
- in personal/spiritual crisis
- experiencing broken relationships
- hospitalized/ill
- bereaved
- in a job crisis
- a single parent
- lonely
- homebound
- disabled
- in times of transition
Stephen Ministry is confidential
ministry. Those receiving care can be sure that their identity and what goes
on in the caring relationship will remain private.
"Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Galatians 6:2
Multiplies Our Christian Caregiving and Outreach ...
Our Stephen Ministers work together with our pastors to
reach more people with Christian care than pastors can reach by themselves.
People who receive care from a
Stephen Minister...
- receive quality Christian care and
support,
- are visited regularly at a mutually
agreeable time and place,
- are prayed for and with, regularly,
- continue to have contact with the
pastor, as needed.
Stephen Ministry enhances our outreach by...
- enhancing caring
ministry where many instead of a few are offering God's love and care in
intentional, systematic ways.
- enabling our entire congregation to grow
as a warm, loving, nurturing community where people are cherished and cared
for in Jesus Christ.
- identifying our congregation to our
community as a place where people's needs are taken seriously.
"Encourage one another and build one another up."
Thessalonians 5:11
About the Leaders of Our Congregation's Stephen Ministry ...
Stephen Leaders are pastors, church staff, and/or lay
people who have completed a Stephen Series Leader's Training Course and are
commissioned to lead Stephen Ministry in our congregation.
Our congregation's Stephen Leaders can ...
- help you or someone you know receive
care from a Stephen Minister;
- tell you how to become a Stephen
Minister;
- tell you about Stephen Ministry training
and our next training class;
- answer questions about our
congregation's Stephen Ministry program.
"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I
with them." Matthew 18:20
How You Can Support Our Congregation's Stephen Ministry ...
or our
Stephen Ministers and Stephen Leaders as they provide Christian care to
others.
Pray for all
who are receiving confidential care through the Stephen Ministry of our
congregation.
Refer those who might benefit
from the care of a Stephen Minister.
Receive
Stephen Ministry when you are in need of supportive Christian care.
Consider serving as a Stephen
Minister.
Support
Stephen Ministry with your financial gifts.
"If one
part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part
rejoices with it." I Corinthians 12:26
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