St. John Lutheran Church of Romeo
Something Different
| Stephen Ministry |
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 Stephen Ministry is a one-on-one caring and confidential ministry that provides Christian support, care, and concern to those who are hurting in our congregation. Stephen Ministers are not counselors or therapists, rather they are caring Christian friends who can offer a listening ear to help others through the tough times in life. Each Stephen Minister goes through 50 hours of training. Training sessions are offered once a year beginning in February. This is a non-denominational ministry. You do not have to be a member or affillated with St. John to take advantage of this free ministry. For more information about the Stephen Ministry program, please contact Jan Gallagher (586) 752-5329, or Pastor Mark (586) 752-4588.
Stephen Ministers: Are lay Christians selected, trained and superivised by Stephen Leaders to provide effective Christian Care. Make a commitment which includes 50 hours of training, ongoing supervisory meetings, and an average of one 1-hour visits per week with the person receiving care. Are named after St. Stephen, one of the first deacons in the early Christian church, commissioned by the apostles to care for the needs of people in the Christian community. Recognize this is a confidential ministry in which continuous effort is expended to maintain the body of trust between the person receiving care and the caregiver. A Stephen Minister is NOT: A counselor or therapist A problem solver A casual visitor How does the referral process work? A person - either you, a relative, or a friend - is hurting and in need of Christian care. The Stephen Ministry Leader learns about this need for care - from the pastor, the person, or a friend - always with the person's permission. One of the Stephen Ministry Leaders meets with the person to talk about Stephen Ministry. With the person's permission, the Stephen Ministry Leader assigns a Stephen Minister to meet generally on a weekly basis with the person. The Stephen Minister continues to provide distinctively Christian care for the person in strict confidentiality. What do Stephen Ministers do? Listen Explore feelings Pray Share Christ's love Maintain confidentiality Attend to the care-giving process and leave the results to God They minister to those who are experiencing... Loneliness Loss of a loved one Retirement changes Unemployment Discouragement Childbirth Hospitalization Separation and divorce Terminal illness Being a shut-in In a crisis Are you in need of... Someone to care? Someone to support you? Someone to listen? Someone to share concerns with? Someone to pray with? A sadness settles so softly on us. It is seemingly without cause. Yet it lingers like the winter fog. A caring, trained Stephen Minister is ready to help you find your way through the mist. He or she will not judge you or push you to get better. Instead, your Stephen Minister will listen and care for you while you work through your feelings. If you or someone you know would benefit from the confidential care of a Stephen Minister, please call Pastor Mark at 586.752.4588 or Jan Gallagher at 586.752.5329. |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 21 November 2008 ) |