Stephen Ministry in Our Congregation
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.
Click HERE to meet your Local Church Stephen Ministers.
Stephen Ministries 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 to 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
Meets the Needs of People
There are times when each of us needs the care of another person, a Christian friend, a Stephen Minister! These needs include but are not limited to...- the hospitalized
- the terminally ill and their families
- people who move into or out of our community
- those grieving a death or serious loss (Click HERE for information about our Grief Share Ministry)
- the homebound and institutionalized
- prisoners, ex-offenders and their families
- those with a job crisis
- the aging and elderly
- those with disabilities and their families
- those needing the support of a Christian friend
- those facing life transitions
- the separated or divorced
- households experiencing birth or adoption
- those in spiritual crisis
Stephen Ministries is a confidential ministry: those receiving care can be sure that their identity and what goes on in the caring relationship will remain private.
Multiplies Our Christian Care giving and Outreach...
- Our Stephen Ministers work together with our pastor(s) 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 and 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
About the Leaders of Our Congregation's Stephen Ministry...
- Stephen Leaders are pastors, church staff, and/or lay persons
who have completed a seven-day Stephen Series Leader's Training
Course and are
commissioned to lead the Stephen Ministry of 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 other questions about our congregation's Stephen Ministry program
How You Can Support Our Congregation's Stephen Ministry...
- Pray for our Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers as they provide Christian care to others
- Pray for all those 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 community about the availability of our congregation's Stephen Ministry and the care it can provide
- 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
Our congregation is enrolled in the
STEPHEN SERIES …
A complete system of training and organizing lay persons for
caring ministry in and around their congregations.
The Stephen Series is offered by:
Stephen Ministry
2045 Innerbelt Business Center Drive
St. Louis, MO 63114-5765
314-428-2600
For more information, send email to umcparrish@verizon.net or call us at 941-776-1539