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Stephen
Ministries is a response to Christ's instruction to
"love one another as I have loved you."
John 15:12
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Who are
Stephen Ministers?
Stephen Ministers are lay persons, men and women, who offer
love, support, and
one-to-one Christian care to people in need within our
congregation and community.
They are trained, committed, supportive, and trustworthy
Christians with a caring
heart and attitude. After receiving 50 hours of initial training
in important caring
ministry skills and concepts they are commissioned as Stephen
Ministers and
commit to serving for at least 2 years. Stephen Ministers will
visit the care receiver
regularly and dependably. They are committed to preserving the
confidential nature
of the caring relationship and receive continuing education. |
Why
Stephen Ministry?
Jesus reached out to those who were hurting, downcast, shunned
and lonely.
He extended himself to them in selfless acts of love, giving
them His full attention,
speaking words of comfort and encouragement, and often healing
them of their
afflictions. There are times each of us needs the care of
another person, a
Christian friend, a Stephen Minister! These needs include but
are not limited
to the following: |
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the hospitalized
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the terminally ill & their
families
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people who move into or out of
our community
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those grieving a death or serious
loss
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the homebound & institutionalized
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prisoners, ex-offenders, & their
families
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those with a job crisis
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the aging & elderly
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those with disabilities & their
families
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those needing the support of a
Christian friend
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those facing life transitions
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the separated or divorced
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households experiencing birth or
adoption
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those in spiritual crisis
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Stephen Ministers are often referred to
as Wounded Healers because many of
them have experienced deep wounds in their life and have been
helped by others.
This, in turn, has motivated them to help others.
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No problem is to
small or insignificant to receive care.
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How Does
Stephen Ministry Work?
When someone requests a Stephen Minister, a Stephen Leader will
meet with
that person, explain what Stephen Ministry is, and help
determine whether Stephen
Ministry is the kind of care that person needs. Our Referrals
Coordinator then
matches that person with one of our available Stephen Ministers.
The Stephen
Minister will then call that person and begin meeting with him
or her for around
an hour each week as long as the need is there. The Stephen
Minister doesn't
try to solve problems; rather, he or she listens, cares, prays,
and helps the care
receiver find his or her path to healing and wholeness.
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Bear one
another's burdens, and in this way
you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
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How can I
arrange for the care of a Stephen Minister?
Call the Church Office at (941) 488-4137 and they will forward
your name and phone
number to one of our Stephen Leaders which consist of our
pastors, church staff,
and members who oversee and direct our Stephen Ministers. They
are taught how
to recruit, select, educate, organize and supervise the Stephen
Ministers at a 7-day
Leader’s Training Course. The leaders are commissioned to
implement and maintain
the Stephen Ministry in their congregation.
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Will my
Conversation with a Stephen Minister be Confidential?
Yes! Confidentiality is the cornerstone of Stephen Ministries.
No one knows what
is talked about in a caring relationship except for the care
receiver and the Stephen
Minister.
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