Stephen Ministry is one of the many caring ministries of our congregation that demonstrates we are a warm, loving, nurturing community where people are cherished and cared for in the name of Jesus Christ. It is a part of the Membership Commission and helps facilitate the church's vision statement: Every visitor a friend—Every member in ministry.
So how would you describe Stephen Ministry to someone? It is a program that equips lay persons to provide distinctly Christian one-to-one care on a confidential basis to those who are experiencing all kinds of life changes, needs and circumstances. It primarily involves non-judgmental listening for those who desire a Christian friend to walk with them during a difficult or transitional time in life such as during loss of a loved one, separation and divorce, failing health, terminal illness, being shut-in, hospitalization, loss of a job, challenges of retirement, changes in living conditions.
Mesa Verde United Methodist Church has been providing this ministry for 6 years. From March 2000 through December 2005, forty care receivers were provided 4,372 care giving contacts for a total of 3,419 hours of caring ministry beyond those given regularly by our pastors. Feedback from care receivers has been very positive and can be paraphrased as generally saying, “Thank you for the gift of having a Stephen Minister who would really listen to me week after week during my difficult time.”
Stephen Ministers who have been active the past year include: Lori Armstrong, Diane Aust, Bob Boies, Lilian Crawford, Jay Dablow, Nancy Darnall, Jan Ferry, Jo Harris, Vern Harris, Bernice Hassel, Barbara Lacey, Jean Paisner, Ted Patterson, Ken Rhea, Carlene Reuscher, Cheryl Searcy, Barbara Stewart, Paule Tallman, and Rev. Steph Toon Glassman.
In April 2006, we commissioned 6 additional Stephen Ministers who completed the 50 hours of initial training in important caring ministry skills and concepts. They joined the current Stephen Ministers in providing care and participating in twice-monthly supervision and continuing education sessions. The newly commissioned Stephen Ministers are: Betty Brittingham, Laura Edles, Erin Hood, JoAnne Jennings, Carol Rethorst, and Dorcas Richards.
God calls us to love and care for one another.
Consider Stephen Ministry
Our church family is known for its loving, caring, and supporting acts toward one another and for helping those in need in the community and world at large through missions. One of the ways we care for one another is through Stephen Ministry.
When do we need God’s love most? Of course we need that love every second of our lives. But at times God’s love is especially precious to us; times when:
• we lose a loved one due to death or separation;
• life becomes so confusing we don’t know where to turn;
• we face changes in our lives or a family member’s life due to illness, loss of job, aging, separation or divorce, financial setbacks to name a few;
• we struggle with faith issues.
At times like these it’s important to have someone who cares; someone to confidentially walk with you through the confusion, grief, stress, or loneliness you may be experiencing. Such a person is a Stephen Minister who in a one-to-one relationship will consistently be with you during this difficult transition in your life.
This message is a call for people to love and care for one another in any or all of the following ways:
• consider a Stephen Minister to walk with you on your journey to wholeness;
• talk with someone who is going through a difficult life transition who needs someone to care, listen, and share God’s love with them on a one-to-one confidential basis, about being referred to have a Stephen Minister. Then notify a Stephen Leader.*
• pray for this ministry;
• use your God-given talents for caring by becoming a Stephen Minister.
The fifty-hour training course will equip you and our congregation will support you, so that you can show God’s mercy, care, and compassion to someone who is hurting. It is important for the leaders* to know of your interest in being trained as soon as possible as the size of the class is an important factor.
*Stephen Leaders:
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Carlene Reuscher
Rev. Mark Wiley
Rev. Steph Toon Glassman
Lilian Crawford
Jay Dablow
Barbara Lacey
Ken Rhea |
(949) 720-7065
(714) 979-8234
(714) 979-8234
(714) 545-1450
(714) 962-6145
(714) 962-7453
(714) 434-3765 |
What is Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministry is grounded in Jesus' command to love one another. Through one-to-one caring and confidential relationships, those who are hurting receive the love and care they need to support them.
What is Stephen Ministry For?
Loneliness
Loss of spouse
Retirement changes
Unemployment
Despair
Childbirth
Hospitalization
Separation and divorce
Grief
Terminal illness
Being shut-in
Life's struggles
What Does Stephen Ministry Provide?
Cares
Supports
Listens
Shares
Who can Benefit?
Anyone going through difficult times who needs someone to care, listen, and share God's love with them on a one-to-one confidential basis.
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What is a Stephen Minister?
A Stephen Minister is a lay member of MVUMC who has been trained through the Stephen Series 50-hour training program to provide one-to-one confidential, nonjudgemental Christian care to people who are experiencing all kinds of life needs and circumstances (not requiring professional help) both in our congregation and in the community. For more information or to apply, contact Carlene Reuscher, Lilian Crawford, or Rev. Dick George. |
The Stephen Ministry Logo
- Without Jesus Christ, people tend to be more broken
- With Jesus Christ people tend to be more whole
- Stephen Ministers care for the person - God cures
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The History of Stephen Ministry
- Based on Acts 6:1-7 -- Stephen was the first layperson set aside to do caring ministry
- Founder/Executive director is Dr. Kenneth Haugk, an ordained clergyperson and licensed psychologist
- Started program in 1975 to meet the needs of his own congregation
- Commenced Leader's Training Courses in 1978
- More than 7,000 congregations have trained leaders
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