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Stephen Ministry
What is the Stephen Ministry?
There are times when everyone needs the regular care and spiritual support of another person. Stephen Ministers are lay men and women from First Presbyterian’s congregation who have been trained and prepared to be engaged in a confidential, structured, caring relationship with those going through a difficult period. A Stephen Minister is particularly helpful for those suffering from any kind of loss, those going through a difficult transition, those who feel the need for spiritual support through a hard time, those going through a separation and divorce, those who are suffering from illness and chronic conditions and those who are struggling with unemployment. A Stephen Minister does not provide the services of a professional counselor.
Who are Stephen Ministers?
Lay men and women from our congregation who have developed their gifts for bringing the concern and care of Christ's community to people in need. They are people who come from all walks of life, age ranges, and backgrounds. They are caring and sharing Christians desiring to offer their help/support to others in time of need. They are trained and dedicated Christians, commissioned by our church to confidential, in-depth caring. Stephen ministers are not professional psychologists, experts in law, medicine, or church doctrine; or social workers with access to extensive physical services. But nor are they superficial “visitors” who simply “drop-in” from time to time.
How are Stephen Ministers Trained?
Stephen Ministers receive about 50 hours of training, based solidly on Biblical testimony and drawing from the best tools of the health and psychological sciences before beginning their care giving work. The training topics are really “Practical Theology.” Topics include: The Art of Listening, How to Use the Bible with Others, Confidentiality, Ministry to the Dying, Depressed, Older Persons, Grieving, etc. Throughout their service, Stephen Ministers receive continuing education in a variety of subjects.
Where Do Stephen Ministers Serve?
There are times when each of us needs the care of another person--a Christian friend, a Stephen Minister! The following are some of the ministry areas in which Stephen Ministers have been doing meaningful ministry in and around their congregations.
Stephen Ministers care for:
- people who are hospitalized
- those with disabilities and their families
- individuals and families of those facing serious or terminal illness
- those experiencing a job loss or some business or financial crisis
- those grieving a death or serious loss
- people who are new to the community or those in the process of leaving town
- those suffering from depression or loneliness
- those experiencing a spiritual crisis of some sort
- the homebound and institutionalized
- the separated or divorced and their families
- prisoners, ex-offenders and their families
- those experiencing a life transition
- households experiencing a problem pregnancy, birth or adoption
- those needing the support of a Christian friend -
To request a Stephen Minister, contact the associate minister for Pastoral Care or Congregational Life at 704-927-0250 or kcooke@firstpres-charlotte.org.
Stephen Leaders: Cynthia Buck, Julie Caldwell, Marv Armstrong, John Staton, Don Phillips, Mary Margaret Porter, Scottie Lindsay, David Dillard, and Meredith Mason. |
