Stephen Ministry
Top Ten Reasons Why YOU Should Become a Stephen Minister
Reason #10: You will learn to turn danger into opportunity
The Chinese word for crisis is made from a combination of two
other characters: danger and opportunity. Every crisis,
whether it is a divorce, the loss of a spouse, sudden unemployment
or even a much-desired pregnancy provides both an opportunity for
growth as well as a danger of choosing destructive solutions.
The care of a dedicated, trained, Christ-centered Stephen Minister
can help a person in crisis find equilibrium and wholeness.
Reason #9: Stephen Ministers are skilled caregivers
Stephen Ministers receive 50 hours of training before they are
commissioned and assigned to care receivers. They learn
skills such as listening, identifying and expressing feelings,
setting boundaries, and being assertive. They also learn
about specific challenges such as hospitalization divorce, grief,
and depression. Stephen Ministers feel well prepared to walk
alongside people in crisis, whether it is with an assigned care
receiver, or in their own relationships with family, friends and
coworkers.
Reason #8: Stephen Ministers experience the joy of fellowship
with one another
Stephen Ministers meet about an hour a week with their
care-receivers, but they also meet twice a month in small groups
with other Stephen Ministers. Here, in a confidential manner,
they share the joys and challenges of their caring relationships,
pray for one another, offer encouragement and practical help, and
relate to one another in a deep and spiritual way. The bonds
of friendship and commitment are strong and positive.
Reason #7: Stephen Ministers learn to listen
Most people think of listening as a simple, natural, and passive
activity, but it is actually a powerful caregiving tool.
Using Jesus as our model, Stephen Ministers learn the skill of
active listening, which involves commitment, patience, and
attention to body language. Stephen Ministers learn to
listen for more than just words. They seek true
understanding and empathy.
Reason #6: Stephen Ministers are assertive caregivers
Stephen Ministers are trained to "speak the truth in
love." Christian assertiveness is a positive and
constructive way of relating that respects others and
ourselves. Stephen Ministers learn to recognize and avoid
aggressive behaviors such as belittling and manipulation, and to
avoid passive behaviors such as withdrawing and relinquishing
rights. By learning to behave assertively, Stephen Ministers
become more aware of God's will for their lives and more aware of
the needs of others.
Reason #5: Stephen Ministers are caregivers, not curegivers
Stephen Ministers are not therapists or problem solvers; they are
caregivers. Only God can bring about healing, forgiveness,
and hope. Stephen Ministers are trained to listen and pray,
to be reliable and non-judgmental, and to help care receivers
express their feelings. Focusing on caring and not on curing
means Stephen Ministers never pressure a care receiver to "get
better." Stephen Ministers are there for as long as the
process takes, and trust that God works in His own time to provide
wholeness.
Reason #4: Stephen Ministers feel needed (because they are!)
Stephen Ministry was created by a minister named Kenneth Haugk
who realized that there are not enough pastors available to
provide patient, long-term care to people in crisis. By
training lay ministers in his congregation, he was able to
ensure that the newly widowed, those going through divorce,
people with chronic or terminal illness, and many, many others
were able to meet regularly with a compassionate listener.
Stephen Ministry benefits our pastors, our congregation, and our
community.
Reason #3: Stephen Ministry skills apply in other relationships
Stephen Ministers are trained to listen, to recognize, accept
and express feelings, to behave assertively, and to depend on
God for healing and change. They often find themselves
using these skills in dealing with spouses, children, coworkers,
clients, and in-laws. Imagine how a work place could be
transformed by a single person who has learned to listen
without judgment!
Reason #2: Stephen Ministry is a life changing experience
Have you ever avoided approaching a person who was hurting
because you "didn't know what to say?" We all
have. But Stephen Ministers know what to say and how to
act. They are trained to respond compassionately and
respectfully when others need them, and they feel confident in
their caregiving skills. Stephen Ministers are the first
to respond when neighbors, family members, and coworkers need
someone to talk to.
Reason #1: Jesus commanded it
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved
you." We are called to "bear one another's
burdens," and to "accept one another."
Jesus wanted us to be doers of the Word, not just hearers.
Stephen Ministers are in the trenches every day, caring for
those who are hurting, bringing warmth and kindness to those
who feel alone, creating an atmosphere where trust and respect
can lead to wholeness. Stephen Ministers answer the call
of Jesus.
Contact
a Stephen Ministry Coordinator
for more information.
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