My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
John 15:12

Your Stephen Ministry Team

Stephen Ministry is your ministry. It belongs to all of us, not just the pastors, Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers. Stephen Ministry needs your prayers and support to help foster a more caring environment here at Shalimar UMC. When you see someone going through a difficult time, remember to tell them about Stephen Ministry and connect them up with a Stephen Leader.

What Does the Stephen Ministry Logo Mean?
Why Do We Have Stephen Ministry?
Who Benefits from Stephen Ministry?
Your Role in Stephen Ministry.
Who Can Use the Care of a Stephen Minister?
What Do Stephen Ministers Do (and Not Do)?
What is the Character of a Stephen Minister?
How Do You Refer Someone to Stephen Ministry?
What Kind of Training is Required to be a Stephen Minister?
How do I become a Stephen Minister?

What Does the Stephen Ministry Logo Mean?

This symbol represents how we can become broken in crisis, but with Christ as the cure giver we can become whole.

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Why do we have Stephen Ministry?

• To Expand Pastoral Care
• We are All Called to Care
• Putting Spiritual Gifts to Use
• The Needs are There
• Reaching Out with Christ?s Love
• Fulfills the Mission of our Congregation
• Jesus? Great Commandment and Great Commission

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Who Benefits from Stephen Ministry?

• The Person Receiving Care
• Our Pastors
• Stephen Ministers and Stephen Leaders
• The Congregation
• Congregational Members
• The Church

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Your Role in Stephen Ministry.

• Pray
• Be the Eyes and Ears of Jesus
• Make our Church a More Caring Place
• Support Stephen Ministry
• Be Receptive to Receiving Care
• Be Involved

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Who Can Use the Care of a Stephen Minister?

• The Hospitalized
• The Terminally Ill
• The Bereaved
• The Divorced or Separated
• The Elderly
• The Disabled
• Those in a Job Crisis
• The Lonely
• The Discouraged
• First-Time Parents
• Empty Nesters
• New Members of Our Congregation or Community
• Those in Spiritual Crisis
• Family Members or Close Friends of Someone in Crisis

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What Do Stephen Ministers Do (and Not Do)?

• Listen
• Accept
• Care
• Walk Beside Someone Going Through a Difficult Time
• Provide Support in Appropriate Ways
• Are Not Counselors or Therapists
• Are Not Problem Solvers
• Are Not Social Workers

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What is the Character of a Stephen Minister?

• Full of Faith
• Compassionate
• Trustworthy
• Skilled

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How Do You Refer Someone to Stephen Ministry?

• Listen and Care for Your Relationship Together
• Ask Him or Her for Permission to Report the Need
• Contact Any of our Pastors or Stephen Leaders as Soon as Possible

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What Kind of Training is Required to Become a Stephen Minister?

• 50 Hours of Initial Training (20 Sessions at 2.5 hours each)
• Textbooks:
  • The Stephen Ministry Training Manual
  • Christian Caregiving - A Way of Life
  • Speaking the Truth in Love
  • When & How to Use Mental Health Resources
• Continuing Education
• Skills Directly Applicable to All Aspects of Life

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How do I become a Stephen Minister?
      Becoming a Stephen Minister requires a two-year commitment to 50 hours of training, to meet weekly with a person who needs care, and to attend supervision meetings twice a month on Thursday evenings. If you feel called to this ministry and you are ready to make this commitment, contact any of our pastors at 651-0721, or Sara Michaelson at 863-9722.

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      Stephen Ministries is based in St. Louis, MO. If you would like to know more about their program, please visit their web site at www.stephenministries.org.