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Stephen Ministry
"Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way
you will fulfill the law of Christ.” - Galatians 6:2 |
| We are a Stephen Ministry congregation. Stephen Ministry is an outreach ministry that equips laypersons to
provide distinctively Christian, one-on-one care giving. |
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| The Stephen Leader & Referral Coordinator is JoAnn Zimmerman. To contact the Stephen Ministry of our church, please
call (303) 452-5469 |
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Stephen Ministers care for people facing tough times. They are lay people who have received extensive training to provide emotional
and spiritual care, both within our congregation and outside of it.
Confidentiality is paramount; Stephen Ministers maintain privacy for their care receivers and regularly attend peer supervision sessions to ensure they are
providing competent, compassionate support. |
- Is life more than you can handle alone right now?
- Is your health, your attitude, or your relationships suffering?
- Are you adjusting to a new job, change in marital status, a serious illness, the death of a loved one, or a recent move?
- Would you like to have someone in your life that really cares?
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| Everyone goes through difficult times. Having someone to care, to listen, and to share God's love can help you get
through the confusion, stress, or loneliness that you may be experiencing. |
| WHAT IS A STEPHEN MINISTER? |
| Stephen Ministers are well-trained listeners and spiritual companions; they are not licensed therapists and counselors. |
A Stephen Minister...
- Is a child of God who walks beside a person who is hurting.
- Is a caring, Christian friend who takes the time to really listen.
- Is a lay Christian selected, trained, and supervised by Stephen Leaders to provide effective Christian care.
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| Stephen Ministers make a commitment including 50 hours of training, ongoing supervisory meetings, and an average of one
1-hour visit per week with the person receiving care. They recognizes this as a confidential ministry. |
A Stephen Minister is NOT...
- A counselor or therapist
- A problem-solver
- A casual visitor
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WHAT ARE THE NEEDS WITH WHICH STEPHEN MINISTRY CAN HELP? |
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Illness Family frustrations and challenges Loneliness
Chronic illness Families of the chronically ill Loss of a loved one
Separation or divorce Being shut-in Having a newborn
A low self-esteem Terminal illness Loss of a job
Financial setbacks Struggling with faith in God Aging
Facing life changes Retirement Miscarriage and Infertility |
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| HOW CAN I REFER SOMEONE TO STEPHEN MINISTRY? |
- Identify someone who is hurting and in need of Christian care (you, a friend, or a relative).
- You, a friend, a relative, or a pastor contacts Stephen Ministry about this need.
- The Referral Coordinators will meet with this person to talk about Stephen Ministry.
- With their permission, the Referral Coordinators assign a Stephen Minister to meet on a weekly basis with the care receiver.
- The Stephen Minister provides distinctively Christian and strictly confidential care.
- Additional details can be found at www.stephenministries.org
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| HOW CAN YOU BECOME INVOLVED? |
- Pray for our Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers as they provide Christian care for others.
- Pray for all who are receiving confidential care through the Stephen Ministry of our congregation.
- Tell Stephen Leaders about those who might benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister - be sure to get that person's permission first!
- Tell others in our parish community about the availability of our congregation's Stephen Ministry and the care it can provide.
- Consider serving as a Stephen Minister.
- Support Stephen Ministry with your financial gifts.
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| Are you interested in becoming a Stephen Minister? |
| Stephen Ministry training involves significant time and energy, but it is a deeply rewarding area of service. Ministers
report they experience positive changes in their personal lives, too, which typically is the result of increased awareness and improved listening skills. |
| A minimum of 50 hours of preparation is required before someone becomes a Stephen Minister. Candidates attend classes in
crisis theory, listening skills, assertiveness training, intervention and role-playing; trainees begin coursework in January and are commissioned in the early summer. |
| The Stephen Leader & Referral Coordinator is JoAnn Zimmerman. To contact the Stephen Ministry of our church, please
call (303) 452-5469 |
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