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 Adult
Ministry
Stephen Ministry is a confidential, lay-caring ministry that is
grounded in Jesus’ command to love one another (John 13:34). Members
of our congregation who are hurting receive love and support through
one-on-one caring, confidential relationships. The ministry is named
after Stephen, the first lay person commissioned by the apostles to
provide caring ministry to those in need (Acts 6:1-7).
The Ministry was started in 1975 by Dr. Kenneth C. Haugk, a St.
Louis pastor who realized that the needs for care in his
congregation exceeded what he alone could provide. He drew on his
psychological and theological background to train nine members as
“Stephen Ministers” to assist him with pastoral care. This ministry
has now been implemented in more than 9,000 congregations
representing more than 100 Christian denominations.
Ask yourself:
- Is life more than you can handle by yourself right now?
- Is your health, your attitude, or your relationships
suffering?
- Are you adjusting to a new job, a divorce, a serious illness,
the death of a loved one, retirement, or a recent move?
- Would you like to have someone in your life that really cares?
Everyone goes through difficult times. Having someone to care, to
listen, and to share God’s love can help you get through the
confusion, stress, or loneliness you may be currently experiencing.
STEPHEN MINISTRY CAN HELP YOU WITH THE FOLLOWING NEEDS:
- Illness
- Loneliness
- Families of those who are chronically ill
- Death of a loved one
- Marital separation or divorce
- Having a new baby
- Loss of a job
- Financial difficulties
- Stresses of aging
- Retirement
- Low self-esteem
- Relocation to a new address
- Miscarriage
- Struggles with your faith in God
HOW DO I REFER SOMEONE TO STEPHEN MINISTRY?
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Identify those who are hurting and in need of Christian care
(could be a friend, a relative, or even yourself)
- The persons in need of care, or the pastor, contacts Stephen
Ministry about this need
- The Referral Coordinator will meet with this person to discuss
Stephen Ministry and how it can help
- With permission, the Referral Coordinator will assign a
Stephen Minister to meet with the care receiver on a weekly basis
- The Stephen Minister then provides strictly confidential and
Christian care
WHAT IS A STEPHEN MINISTER?
- A Stephen Minister is a lay person who is carefully selected,
trained and supervised by Stephen Leaders to provide effective
Christian care.
- A Stephen Minister is a caring Christian friend who will walk
beside the person who is hurting and take the time to really
listen to their needs.
- A Stephen Minister makes a commitment to visiting the care
receiver on a weekly basis for at least one hour and to attend
ongoing supervisory meetings throughout the duration of the caring
relationship.
- A Stephen Minister is NOT a counselor, therapist, financial
advisor, problem-solver or a casual visitor
HOW CAN YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN THIS VITAL MINISTRY?
- Pray daily for Stephen Ministry
- Make referrals to Stephen Leaders
- Ask about becoming a Stephen Minister yourself
The Stephen Leaders for First United Methodist Church Waxahachie
are Betty Richardson, Diane Szymczak and Rev. Kevin Wilson. To
contact the Stephen Ministry, please call the church office at
972-937-4400.
Our motto is: Stephen Ministers are the Caregivers…God is the CUREGIVER.
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