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Newsletter
What is a Stephen Minister?
A Stephen Minister is...
- a child of God who walks beside a hurting person.
- a caring Christian friend who really listens.
- a lay person who has received 50 hours of training in how to provide distinctively Christian care.
A Stephen Minister is NOT...
- a counselor or therapist.
- a problem solver.
- a casual visitor.
Stephen Ministry will help meet the needs of individuals who are...
- hospitalized
- terminally ill
- bereaved
- in a job crisis or change
- single parent or new parent
- new members in the community
- disabled
- homebound
- in a spiritual crisis
- experiencing any type of life change where they could use a caring Christian friend to listen
What is Stephen Ministry?
- Stephen Ministry is grounded in Jesus' command to love one another. Through one-to-one caring relationships, those who are hurting receive the love and care they need to support them.
- It is a confidential ministry by trained caring lay people who are commissioned by the church.
- It is a response to Christ's instructions to "love one another as I have loved you"
- It is a committed relationship focusing on the unique needs of each person for in-depth caring.
- It is a ministry named for Stephen, who was commissioned by the Apostles, to care for the community's needs in the early church. (Acts 6:1-6)
How does the referrals process work?
A person - either you, a relative, or a friend - is hurting and in need of someone to care. The Stephen Ministry Referrals Coordinator learns about this need for care from the pastor, the person or a friend - always with the person's permission. The Referrals Coordinator meets with the person to talk about Stephen Ministry. With the person's consent, the Referrals Coordinator assigns a Stephen Minister to meet on a weekly basis with the person. The Stephen Minister continues to provide distinctively Christian care as long as the person needs, with strict confidentiality.
Further Information…
- Men minister only to other men, women to women.
- Stephen Ministers and care receivers must be over 18 years of age.
- The caring relationship between Stephen Minister and care receiver is held in the strictest confidentiality.
- The Stephen Minister is held accountable to standards of confidentiality and the caring process through continuing education and peer group supervision each month
- Everyone goes through difficult times. We are all people who either have faced a crisis, or will face one someday. Having someone to care, to listen, to share God's love with you can help you get through the confusion, stress, or loneliness.
Please consider allowing a Stephen Minister to walk with you on your journey to wholeness.
If you have questions, or would like to find out more, contact Tecla Cosgrove, Stephen Leader and Referrals Coordinator at 512-353-6708 or at cosgrove@sanmarcos.net . All inquiries are confidential.
Stephen Ministers Care! To Love Is To Listen!
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