Stephen Ministry @First Church

Cabinet By Laws 2008

 

Stephen Ministers: Lorraine Angel, Dot Bergman, Sue Burgess, Jack Casteel, Darby DesRoches, Janet Fischer, Lorraine Follis, Ruth Heggie, Jane Pedersen, Jim Scofield, Sharon Thomas, Eileen Young,

Ministers can bring the love of Jesus back into your life. To learn more about Stephen Ministry, talk to one of our Stephen Leaders: Gaye Carpenter, Lila Foster, Dean Pedersen, and Roy Young: Our Stephen Ministers are ready to care for you!

What Do Stephen Ministers Do? Stephen Ministers are members of First Church who have gone through 50 hours of training to provide confidential one-to-one Christian care to people who are facing a crisis or simply going through a difficult time. Your Stephen Minister will meet with you once a week for around an hour to listen to you, care for you, pray with and for you, and provide emotional and spiritual encouragement. Men are matched with male Stephen Ministers, women are matched with female Stephen Ministers. To find out more about how you or someone you know could be matched with a Stephen Minister, talk with one of our Stephen Ministry Leaders: Gaye Carpenter, Lila Foster, Dean Pedersen, or Roy Young.

                         

The Stephen Series logo symbolizes that we are all broken people and that it is only through the cross of Jesus that we are made whole.

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.

A Stephen Minister Is ...

• A child of God who walks beside a person who is hurting

•A congregation member with gifts for care giving, 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

"Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the  la w o f Christ. "
 Galatians  6:2

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.

• 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.

Stephen Leaders Are

Trained leaders in our congregation who oversee and direct our Stephen Ministry.

• If you-or someone you know-could

benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister ...
• If you are interested in possibly becoming a Stephen Minister ...

• If you have any other questions about Stephen Ministry ...

... talk with one of our Stephen Leaders.

"Therefore encourage one another and buildup each other."

I Thessalonians 5.- 1 1

Stephen Ministry Multiplies Ministry

Pastors will always be on the front lines of

care, especially during times of crisis. But there are always many more needs for ongoing, one-to-one care than pastors can effectively meet by themselves.

Stephen Ministry provides a biblical solution- equipping God's people for ministry. Gifted lay people are trained to support and extend the care that pastors continue to provide.

Stephen Ministers reach out with God's love to people who are hurting-both congregation members and nonmembers alike.

'To equip the saints for the work of ministry.' Ephesians 4:12a

 

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 separation

• Loneliness or discouragement • Spiritual crises

• Unemployment or a job crisis • A terminal illness • Incarceration • Aging

• Birth, adoption, miscarriage, or infertility • A chronic illness • Relocation

• Recovery 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.

Stephen Ministry in Our Congregation