
Stephen
Ministers Are Ready to Care
Are you
hurting?
Are you
struggling?
Are you
discouraged?
Are you
stressed?
Are you
confused?
Are you
broken?
The Stephen Series Logo symbolizes that we all are broken
people and that it is through the cross of Jesus that we are
Click
for FAQs made whole.
We all face
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 friend
-
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.
"Love one
another--as I have loved you."
John 13:34
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 caregiving, 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 is a need.
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 and members and nonmembers alike.
"Bear one
another's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Galatians 6:2
Stephen
Ministry in Our Congregation
-
Could
you benefit from the confidential, one-to-one care and support of a
Stephen Minister?
-
Do you
know someone else--perhaps a friend, neighbor, coworker or
relative--who could benefit from Stephen Ministry?
-
Are you
interested in possibly becoming a Stephen Minister?
Then talk
with Pastor Jody, Pastor Richard or one of our Stephen Leaders --or
contact the church office at 302-737-2100--to learn more. Our Stephen
Leaders are Pastor Jody Taualofai, Paul LaManna and Pam LaPorte.
Stephen
Ministry is Christ Caring
for People Through People