More About Stephen Ministry

“Love one another … as I have loved you…”  John 13:34

Stephen Ministers are committed Christian people who:

•  Express God’s care through their lives to others;

•  Receive 50 hours of initial training in important caring ministry skills and concepts;

•  Are commissioned as Stephen Ministers after completing their initial training;

•  Visit another person regularly and dependably, and offer Christian support and care;

•  Participate in regular support and supervision under the guidance of trained Stephen Leaders;

•  Are committed to preserving the confidential nature of the caring relationship;

•  Serve for at least two years; and

•  Receive continuing education and skill building throughout their years of service.

“As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion…”  Colossians 3:12

Stephen Ministry Meets the Needs of People

There are times when each of us needs the care of another person, a Christian friend, a Stephen Minister.  These needs include but are not limited to those:

•  Hospitalized

•  Terminally ill and their families

•  People who move into or out of our community

•  Grieving a death or serious loss

•  Homebound and institutionalized

•  With a job crisis

•  Aging and elderly

•  With disabilities and their families

•  Needing support of a Christian friend

•  Facing life transitions

•  Separated or divorced

•  In spiritual crisis

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”  Galatians 6:2

Stephen Ministry Multiplies T!LC’s Christian Caregiving and Outreach

Our Stephen Ministers work together with our pastors to reach more people with Christian care than pastors can reach by themselves.  People who receive care from a Stephen Minister:

•  Receive quality Christian care;

•  Deepen their relationship with their Lord;

•  Grow in their desire to participate in Christian community; and

•  Come to value ministry from another lay person while continuing contact with the pastor.

Stephen Ministry enhances T!LC outreach by:

•  Creating a caring ministry where many instead of a few are offering God’s love and care in intentional, systematic ways;

•  Enabling our entire congregation to grow as a warm, loving, nurturing community where people are cherished and cared for in Jesus Christ;

•  Identifying T!LC to our community as a place where people’s needs are taken seriously.

“Encourage one another and build one another up.”  1 Thessalonians 5:11

About the Leaders of Our Congregation’s Stephen Ministry

Stephen Leaders are pastors, staff members, and/or lay persons who have completed an intensive seven day Stephen Series Leader’s Training Course and are commissioned to lead the Stephen Ministry of our congregation.  T!LC Stephen Leaders can:

•  Help you or someone you know receive care from a Stephen Minister;

•  Tell you how to become a Stephen Minister;

•  Tell you about Stephen Ministry training and our next training class; and

•  Answer other questions about T!LC’s Stephen Ministry program.

How You Can Support T!LC’s Stephen Ministry

•  Pray for Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers as they provide Christian care to others.

•  Pray for all who are receiving confidential care through T!LC’s Stephen Ministry.

•  Tell Stephen Leaders about those who might benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister.  Be sure to get that person’s permission first.

•  Tell others in our community about the availability of T!LC’s Stephen Ministry and the care it can provide.

•  Receive Stephen Ministry when you are in need of supportive Christian care.

•  Consider serving as a Stephen Minister.

I would like a Stephen Minister

If you are in need of supportive Christian care and desire a Stephen Minister to walk along side you, you can make known your desire by contacting any of the following:

•  Contact the Care Ministries office either in person or by calling (402) 292-2695, Extension 112.

•  Leave a voice message on the Care Ministries Telephone Line – (402) 292-7633.

•  Make an appointment with and/or speak with either Pastor Glenn or Pastor David.

•  Speak with any Stephen Leader or Stephen Minister.

•  Ask a spouse or friend to contact the church using one of the above means.

Once your request to made known, you will be contacted by a Stephen Leader who serves as the Referrals Coordinator for the Stephen Ministry program.  The Referrals Coordinator will assist you as a care receiver and assign a specific Stephen Minister to begin meeting with you on a weekly basis.  If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact Nancy or Bill Pierce at (402) 292-2695, Extension 112.

Interested in Becoming a Stephen Minister?

The following questions and answers may be helpful as you consider whether to become a Stephen Minister.

Question:  How much of my time will it really involve?

Answer:  There are 50 hours of training, which may include a retreat.

As a Stephen Minister you will visit about once a week (for about one hour) with the person you are caring for.  You will also attend two meetings per month for supervision and continuing education (first and third Tuesdays, 7:00 – 9:30 pm).

Question:  How much money will this cost?

Answer:  Stephen Minister trainees are asked to pay for their training manuals and several books (currently $50).  No other costs are involved.

Question:  Will I have to spend money on the person I am caring for (the care receiver)?

Answer:  No, you are not expected to spend any money whatsoever on the care receiver.  You are also not expected to personally provide any other specific services for a care receiver, such as transportation or baby-sitting, for example.

Question:  Will my phone be ringing constantly?

Answer:  No.  You will care for one care receiver at a time.  If the care receiver were to begin calling too often, you will learn to respond to too many phone calls or excessive demands in a loving, assertive manner.  It probably won’t arise, though.

Question:  Will our pastor still help and counsel people?

Answer:  Most definitely!  Stephen Ministers complement the pastor’s ministry and provide even more care to those who need it.

Question:  What if I get in over my head with people who need more care than I can provide?

Answer:  First of all, you will never be knowingly assigned to people who might be in those situations.  The Stephen Ministry training also helps you to know exactly when and how to help your care receiver get professional help when necessary.  The Supervision Group, the Stephen Leaders, and the pastors are also there to help you make such decisions.

Question:  How will I personally benefit from this experience?

Answer:  You will learn many skills that will be valuable in your personal life as well as in your Stephen Ministry.  Also, the satisfaction of helping another person is a wonderful blessing.

Question:  Do I have to stop being a Stephen Minister after two years?

Answer:  No, many people decide to continue as Stephen Ministers after two  years.  You and your Stephen Leader will make that decision when the time comes.

Question:  Who will be the care receivers?

Answer:  Members of T!LC who are experiencing times of special need and other people outside our community who may turn to us for help.  Thus, Stephen Ministry is also a way to reach out to others as well as to our own members.

Question:  Will the care receiver really want my care?

Answer:  Yes.  A pastor or Stephen Leader Referral Coordinator will meet first with the care receiver.  Only after the care receiver understands Stephen Ministry and has agreed to meet with a Stephen Minister will you be contacted.

Question:  Are other people as scared as I seem to be about this undertaking?

Answer:  Probably so!  But the training will eliminate much of this fear because you will not only learn what to say but also, and more importantly, how to listen.

Question:  How do I apply?

Answer:  Fill out the application form.  Application forms are available by calling the Care Ministries office at (402) 292-2695, Extension 112.  You will then have an opportunity to meet with the Stephen Leadership team to ask any questions and make your final decision.