Stephen Ministries

Stephen Ministries ~ Christ Caring for People through People       Hurting? Struggling? Discouraged? Stressed? Confused? Broken?   STEPHEN MINISTERS ARE READY TO CARE   What is Stephen Ministry? 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's a need "Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 Stephen Ministers Care for People Facing Tough Times We all experience challenges in life - times when we could benefit from the support of a caring Christan 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 loved one Hospitalization Divorce or Separation Loneliness or discouragement Spiritual crisis 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     Stephen Ministry Is Your Ministry You play an important role in our Stephen Ministry.  Here's what you can do: Pray for God to bring hope and healing to hurting people through our Stephen Ministry. Accept care from a Stephen Minister during your time of need.  God doesn't expect you to bear your burdens alone. Tell a friend, neighbor, coworker, or relative who is hurting about our Stephen Ministry. If you are a good listener and a compassionate person, prayerfully consider becoming a Stephen Minister. Stephen Leaders Are... Trained leaders in our congregation who oversee and direct our Stephen Ministry. If you - or someone you know - could benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister... If you are interested in possibly becoming a Stephen Minister... If you have any other questions about Stephen Ministry...  contact Pastor Phil or the church office at (630) 554-3269. "Therefore encourage one another and build up each other."  1 Thessalonians 5:11     The Stephen Series logo symbolizes that we all are broken people andthat it is only through the cross of Jesus that we are made whole.                   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 members and nonmembers alike.   "To equip the saints for the work of ministry."  Ephesians 4:12a 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 - pershaps a friend, neighbor, coworker, or relative - who could benefit from Stephen Ministry Are you interested in possibly become a Stephen Minister? Then talk with Pastor Phil or Stephen Leader - or contact the church office - to learn more or to request a brochure.   Stephen Ministry Is Christ Caring for People through People Stephen Minisitries St. Louis Supports Our Congregation's Stephen Ministry   Stephen Ministries is a not-for-profit Christian educational organization based in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1975 Stephen Ministries provides training and resources to thousands of congregations and organizations worldwide.   Log on to www.stephenministries.org  or call (314) 428-2600 to learn more.       STEPHEN MINISTRY AT GOOD SHEPHERD   Sunday, February 17th, 2008, marked the “official” beginning of Stephen Ministry at Good Shepherd.  For the past two years, we have had three Stephen Ministers serving in caring relationships to members of our church family; Craig and Judy McGregor and Lyn Santa who were trained at Oswego Presbyterian Church.  Last fall, four more members of Good Shepherd began their fifty hour training at OPC to become Stephen Ministers; Melissa Lowe, Joy Miller, and Dave and Nancy Patush.  They were commissioned on Sunday, February 17th at Good Shepherd.   In order for our church to become officially enrolled in Stephen Ministry; we submitted our enrollment fee and sent two of our Stephen Ministers to Leadership Training in Portland, Oregon.  Lyn Santa and Nancy Patush took part in a one-week training course with 274 other Christians from several denominations from allover the U.S. and Canada.  Lyn and Nancy said that it was a wonderful experience to be surrounded by so many like-minded Christians learning how to train and equip other in this care-giving ministry.   Lyn and Nancy were commissioned on February 17th as Stephen Leaders and as such, will help recruit, select and train members of Good Shepherd to be Stephen Ministers as well as oversee the program.  They will then, along with Pastor Phil, match individuals in need of care with a Stephen Minister.   Stephen Ministry gives Good Shepherd and effective way to train and organize members to provide one-to-one Christian care to individuals struggling with a crisis life grief, divorce, loneliness, relocation, hospitalization, terminal illness, unemployment, or other issues.  The need for this type of care greatly exceeds what pastors alone can provide.  All Christians are called to care for an love one another – it’s not just the pastor’s job.  By equipping lay people, we can help them fulfill their calling as Christians and also expand the amount of caring ministry available through our church.   Since 1975, when Dr. Kenneth Haugk, a pastor and clinical psychologist in St. Louis, Missouri, founded Stephen Ministry, 10,000 congregations have been enrolled.  They represent 150 christian denominations from all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces, and 21 other countries.  To learn more about Stephen Ministry, long on to www.stephenministries.org   Good Shepherd and Oswego Pres will continue training sessions together.  The next one will begin this fall.  If you are interested in serving in this ministry or know of someone in need of a Stephen Minister, please contact, Nancy Patush, Lyn Santa, or the church office.