Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministry is ...

a program 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, both in our congregation and community.

Stephen Ministers are committed Christian people who ...

• 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 the 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
  
  

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion." 
                                                                                                 Colossians 3:12

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Meets The Needs of People

There are times when each of us needs the care of an other person, a Christian friend, a Stephen Minister!

These needs include but are not limited to ...

• the hospitalized

• the aging and elderly

• the terminally ill and their families

• those with disabilities and their families

• people who move into or out of our community

• those  needing the support of a Christian friend

• those grieving a death or serious loss

• those facing life transitions

• the homebound and institutionalized

• the separate or divorced

• prisoners, ex-offenders and their families

• households experiencing birth or adoption

• those with a job crisis

• those in spiritual crisis

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 pastor 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
  
  
• deepen their relationship with their Lord
  
  
• grow in their desire to participate in Christian community
  
  
• come to value ministry from another lay person while continuing contact with the pastor.
  
  

Stephen Ministry enhances our outreach by....

• creating a "caring ministry explosion" 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."  1 Thessalonians 5:11

Christ Caring for People Through People

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