Stephen
Ministry is a caring ministry that Kennesaw UMC committed to in the fall of 1997. At that
time 5 members of this congregation committed to serve as Stephen Ministers for two years.
Even though we have what is considered an active Stephen Ministry, many do not know just
what this ministry is all about. Lets start by looking at where the principals of Stephen
Ministry came from. Most of us have heard of Stephen but who remembers what he is known
for?
After the resurrection and ascension of Jesus and the coming of the Holy
Spirit on Pentecost, the Apostles devoted themselves to prayer and to the proclamation of
the Good News of Christ crucified and risen. The number of disciples kept growing both
among native- and Greek-speaking Jews. Some in the latter group claimed that the needs of
some of their ‘congregational members," especially the widows, were being
ignored.
The Apostles admitted they couldn’t do it all and weren’t about
to divert their energies from the important work of prayer and preaching.
Acts 6:1-7
1 Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists
complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily
distribution of food. 2 And the twelve called together the whole community of the
disciples and said, "It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order
to wait on tables. 3 Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good
standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, 4 while we,
for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word." 5 What they
said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy
Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a
proselyte of Antioch. 6 They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid
their hands on them.
What is the Stephen Ministry?
A special ministry in which one Christian reaches out to another during a
traumatic time of life.
A structured training to prepare the caregiver.
An opportunity to reach out to others-the lonely, depressed, inactive, bereaved, new in
town,
hospitalized, divorced or separated, aged, overwhelmed, unemployed.
An on-going helping relationship with scheduled visits, dependability and confidentiality
stressed.
A meaningful way for our lay people to be "God with skin on" to each other.
Why Do we need this Ministry?
The pastors of most churches are often in much the same situation as the
Apostles were in this passage. Kennesaw, for example has 1300 members. Two pastors cannot
nor should they be expected to attempt to personally see to every need of every member of
the congregation. But yet that is their responsibility. To do this they need to do as the
Apostles did and delegate some of this responsibility to qualified people. Stephen
Ministry is one of the areas that can be delegated. The Apostles admitted that they could
not do it all. Do we expect the pastors to rise above the Apostles and somehow "do it
all"? In many respects we as the laity do. Sometimes this is expressed, other times
by our not pitching in to help. Stephen Ministry is one way that you can truly help. The
pastors will always be available in crisis situations but for them to maintain long term
relationships by themselves is extremely difficult in a church this size.
Who are the Stephen Ministers?
Lay persons from our congregation who have developed their gifts for
caring and concern for people in need.
People of different ages, backgrounds, and experience.
Caring and sharing Christians desiring to offer their help/support to others in time of
need.
Trained Christians - having developed their helping skills through intensive coursework.
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. Neither are they merely
"visitors" who "drop-in" from time to
time.
Will Stephen Ministry Replace Pastoral Ministry of our
Clergy?
Absolutely not! the Stephen Ministry will instead expand their ministry by providing more
workers in the Body of Christ. Care giving is certainly a pastor's job, but the pastor
often does not have enough time to minister effectively to all of the needs of the
congregation. Another part of the pastor's job is to "equip the saints" - all of
the members of the congregation - to provide this kind of care for one another. In so
doing, the pastor greatly multiplies the care giving that can be done.
How Are Stephen Ministers Trained?
Before beginning their care giving work, Stephen Ministers receive
approximately 50 hours of training based solidly on God's word as well as drawing from the
best tools of the health and psychological sciences.
The training topics include: applying God's word to real life situations, the art of
listening, ministering to the dying, depressed, aged, grieving, inactive, new birth as a
family crisis, etc., and confidentiality.
Throughout their service, Stephen Ministers receive continuing education in a variety of
related subjects.
What Kind of Commitment Will I Have to
Make as a Stephen Minister?
Obviously, being a Stephen Minister will require a commitment of time and
effort in the service of helping other people.
A two year commitment including training is necessary. This includes the 50 hours of
training offered on Tuesday evenings beginning August 28th and lasting until your
commissioning in November. After commissioning, in addition to your service as a
caregiver, you will be expected to attend two meetings per month for peer supervision and
continuing education.
What Will I Gain From Being A Stephen
Minister?
Being a Stephen Minister will bring many blessings into your life.
A deepening of your relationship with Christ.
Expansion of your knowledge of Scripture.
You will grow in the understanding of your own Christian calling as well as having the
privilege of working closely with others in helping relationships.
You will experience the fellowship of a warm, loving, and caring group of people.
You will know you are a vital part of the Body of Christ - the church alive.
The skills you receive as a part of the Stephen Ministry training are also applicable to
all your life experiences and relationships.
Experience unconditional love.
Why the Name "Stephen" Ministry?
Although most people remember Stephen as the first martyr, he was also one
of the first deacons charged with the care of widows and orphans. You can read about him
in ACTS, CH. 6 & 7.
How Do I Apply for the Stephen Ministry Program?
After prayerful consideration, come by or call the church office for an
information packet. For more information call the church office or either
pastor at (770) 428-1543
Throughout our life, all of us are at different points in our relationship with God and
with others. Sometimes we're on a solid foundation. Sometimes we struggle and feel
unstable. During those rough times, those times when you think no one cares, you need
someone who can give confidential, loving support and guidance so that the Lord can heal
your hurts, encourage your heart, relieve your worried mind, and refresh you.
Those who provide this ministry are called Stephen Ministers. A Stephen Minister is a lay
person who has been equipped to provide distinctively Christian one-to-one care to those
who are experiencing all kinds of special needs and circumstances, both in our
congregation and the community. Stephen Ministers are committed Christians who express
God's care to others through their lives. Each Stephen Minister has received fifty hours
of intensive training as well as on-going continuing education to give them excellent
ministry skills in caring.
1 Peter 4:10,11
10 Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever
gift each of you has received. 11
Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so
with the strength
that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him
belong the glory and the
power forever and ever. Amen.
John 15:12-20
12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I
have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's
friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants
any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called
you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.
16 You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit
that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17 I am
giving you these commands so that you may love one another. 18 "If the world
hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If you belonged to the world,
the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have
chosen you out of the world -- therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I
said to you, 'Servants are not greater than their master.' If they persecuted me, they
will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.
Kennesaw United Methodist Church
1801 Ben King Road
Kennesaw. GA 30144
(770) 428-1543
