STEPHEN MINiSTRY

Going through a tough time - emotionally or spiritually?
Struggling with a crisis in life?
Or simply feeling down?

Consider letting a Stephen Minister help. A Stephan Minister is a member of our congregation who is trained to listen, care, encourage, pray, and walk alongside you during difficult times.

It's confidential, free, and very helpful.

To learn more, talk to Pastor Ed or Michelle Barr, Stephen Ministry Leader.

The Stephen Ministry is a program of our congregation that equips lay persons to provide distinctively Christian one-to-one care to people who are experiencing all kinds of life needs and circumstances, both in our congregation and in our community.

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

Stephen Ministry meets the needs of all People . . . .

There are times when each of us needs the care of another person, a Christian friend, a Stephen Minister!

The needs include but are not limited to . . .

• the hospitalized
• the terminally ill and their families
• those grieving a death or serious loss
• those with a job crisis
• the aging and elderly
• the disabled and their families
• those needing the support of a Christian friend
• those facing life transitions
• the separated or divorced
• those in spiritual crisis

Pastor Ed Lantz (903-744-4129)
or
Michelle Barr (214 504-8610)

Stephen Ministry is all about CONFIDENTIALITY. Everything a person tells his or her Stephen Minister is kept in strict confidence. People are often afraid that if they tell someone what is troubling them, word will get around and others will look down on them, but a Stephen Minister keeps everything a care receiver shares confidential and, through the sharing, God works miracles of healing and peace.

Stephen Ministry is a confidential lay ministry grounded in Jesus' command to love one another. Through one-to-one caring relationships, those who are hurting receive the love, care, and support they need.

“Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; If we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.” 1 John 4:11 - 12 NRSV

How exactly does the referral process work?

• A person - either you, a relative, or a friend is hurting and in need of Christian care.
• The Stephen Ministry Referrals Coordinator learns about this need for care from a pastor, friend, or from a person in need of care and only after the person in need has granted permission.
• The Referrals Coordinator meets with the person to talk about Stephen Ministry.
• With the person's permission, the Referrals Coordinator assigns a Stephen Minister to meet on a weekly basis with that person.
• The Stephen Minister provides distinctively Christian and strictly confidential care.
• The Stephen Ministry Referrals Coordinator for our congregation is Pastor Ed Lantz. 

God’s word is honored, believed and lived out at Wesley United Methodist Church.