Introduction to Stephen Ministry
The Stephen Series is a complete system for training and organizing lay people to provide one-to-one Christian care to hurting people in and around our congregation. Stephen Ministers are not trained to be counselors but are trained to listen and support those going through a hard time.
The Stephen Series provides congregations with the structure, training, and resources to set up and administer a complete system for lay caring ministry (called Stephen Ministry) in the congregation. In Stephen Ministry congregations, lay caregivers (called Stephen Ministers) provide one-to-one Christian care to the bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated, divorced, unemployed, relocated, and others facing a crisis or life challenge. Stephen Ministry helps pastors and congregations provide quality caring ministry for as long as people need it.
The Stephen Ministries Coordinator for our church is Diane Smith. If you would like to talk to her, please leave a message at the church office at: 425-228-4577.
http://www.stephenministries.org/ Follow this link to learn more about the ministry.
The core purpose of Stephen Ministries
Stephen Ministries' Core Purpose is summed up in the words of St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians.
"To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ"
What is Stephen Ministry?
Our congregation's Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties in their lives.
Stephen Ministers Care for People Facing Tough Times...
We all experience challenges in life - times when we could benefit from the support of a caring Christian friend. Stephen Ministers are ready to provide the emotional and spiritual care we need when faced with a crisis or difficulty, such as
loss of a loved one
hospitalization
divorce or seperation
loneliness or discouragement
Spiritual crises
Unemployment or a job crisis
A terminal illness
Incarceration
Aging
Birth, adoption, miscarriage, or infertility
A chronic illness
Relocation
Recovering after an accident or disaster
And many more
Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry: The identity of those receiving care and what takes place in each caring relationship remains private.
A Stephen Minister Is...
A child of God who walks beside a person who is hurting
A congregational member with gifts for caregiving, who was carefully selected to serve in this role
A lay person who has received 50 hours of training in providing emotional and spiritual care
A caring, Christian friend who listens, cares, prays, supports, and encourages
Someone who will "be there" for his or her care receiver, meeting faithfully for about an hour each week, for as long as there's a need
Stephen Ministry Is Your Ministry
You play an important role in our Stephen Ministry. Here's what you can do:
Pray for God to bring hope and healing to hurting people through our Stephen Ministry.
Accept care from a Stephen Minister during your time of need. God doesn't expect you to bear your burdens alone. "Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."(Galations 6:2)
Tell a friend, neighbor, coworker, or relative who is hurting about our Stephen Ministry.
If you are a good listener and a compassionate person, prayerfully consider becoming a Stephen Minister.
How do I Refer?
Do you know someone going through a difficult time in their life? Chances are they are on a journey and could benefit from someone walking with them to listen and offer love and support. We have Stephen Ministers waiting for them. Call the Church office at (425)228-4577 and speak with Pastor Joyce for a referral.