What is a Stephen Minister?
A Stephen Minister is a trained listener, a caring person, and a Christian friend. A Stephen Minister is NOT a therapist or a gossip or a judge or a know-it-all. Stephen Ministers have spent 50 hours learning how to really listen when someone is hurting and how to offer comfort and hope in times of need.
A Stephen Minster is a lay member of the congregation who has a strong faith, has gone through special training, and follows Jesus’ command that we love one another. A Stephen Minister has learned how to minister to another in Christian love.
Who can be helped?
An important theme of the Lenten season is the humanity of Christ. In Jesus, God became human and fully experienced the wide range of emotions we all encounter in life. Jesus experienced times of loneliness, sadness, hurt, anger, disappointment, grief, and abandonment. That is part of being human. Another part of being human is needing help from each other. God never intended us to be completely self-sufficient. Part of God’s plan is for each of us to turn to others for help when we need it.
So when you are experiencing difficult times, don’t struggle alone. Our Stephen Ministers will walk with you, listen to you, encourage you, pray with you, and provide confidential one-to-one care to help you through tough times. Stephen Ministers can bring the love of Jesus back into your life.
Request a Stephen Minister by contacting either Pastor Sonja or Pastor Joel at 667-1836 or by speaking with any of our Stephen Leaders – Cheryl Gilpatrick (203-0955), Ginger Klein (669-7273), or Jaye Lujan (663-4818). Our Stephen Ministers are ready to care for you! All inquiries are confidential.
Loss, grief, a life transition, illness of oneself or of a loved one, and spiritual depletion are just a few of the reasons to reach out and seek a Stephen Minister. Sometimes simply going through a difficult, painful, or confusing time of life will bring someone to ask for a Stephen Minister. There are many different reasons as there are people.
Each week, a Stephen Minister meets one-on-one with you. He or she listens to you, prays for you, prays with you if you wish, encourages you, and comforts you. He or she gives you his or her undivided time and attention and always treats you with dignity and respect. A Stephen Minister is someone who truly cares about you. God is the cure-giver for you. The Stephen Minister is the care-giver.
You may meet for as many weeks as you wish. Some people meet for a few weeks – three or five times. Most meet for a few months or a year or two. A few have had a Stephen Minister for several years.
If you or someone you know is hurting , a Stephen Minister could be available to help.
Stephen Ministry Supervision
2nd Thursday of every month, 10:00 am and 7:00 pm
We normally will have our regularly scheduled supervision for Stephen Ministers with active assignments at Zion on the second Thursday of the month at 10:00 a.m. and the fourth Sunday of the month at 9:30 a.m. All Stephen Ministers with active assignments are expected to be at supervision. If you are not able to attend supervision please speak with one of the Stephen Leaders so that we can have an update on your current ministry assignment.
If you have any questions about Stephen Ministry, feel free to contact one of our Stephen Leaders: Cheryl Gilpatrick, Ginger Klein, Jaye Lujan, or Pastor Sonja Pancoast.
To learn more please visit the main website http://www.stephenministries.org/
