STEPHEN MINISTRY

Stephen Ministry at LCM

What is Stephen Ministry? A caring ministry that equips people at our church to be able to provide Christian one-on-one care to others at our church during their time of need.

Who are Stephen Ministers? Committed Christian people who:
1. Express God’s care through their lives to others.
2. Are commissioned as Stephen Ministers after 50 hours of training in important caring ministry skills and concepts.
3. Visit another person regularly and dependably and offer Christian support and care.
4. Are committed to preserving the confidential nature of the caring relationship.

Why Would I Need a Stephen Minister?

There are times when each of us needs the care of another person, a Christian friend (a Stephen Minister). These needs include, but are not limited to those listed below.

All care is confidential and what goes on in the caring relationship will remain private.

  • The hospitalized
  • The terminally ill and their families
  • People who move into or out of our community
  • Those grieving a death or serious loss
  • The homebound and institutionalized
  • Those with a job crisis
  • The aging and elderly
  • Those with disabilities and their families
  • Those needing the support of a Christian friend
  • Those facing life transitions
  • The separated or divorced
  • Households experiencing birth or adoption

How Does Stephen Ministry Supplement the Care Offered by Our Pastors?

 

Our Stephen Ministers work together with our pastors to reach more people, multiplying our Christian care giving and outreach.

People who receive care from a Stephen Minister:
1. Receive quality Christian care.
2. Come to value ministry from another lay person while continuing contact with the pastor.
3. Grow in their desire to participate in Christian community

Stephen Ministry enhances our outreach by:
Enabling our entire congregation to grow as a warm, loving, nurturing community where people are cherished and cared for by other Christians empowered/ enabled by Christ’s love.
Identifying our congregation to our community as a place where people’s needs are taken seriously. Also, creating a caring ministry where many instead of a few are offering God’s love and care in intentional, systematic ways.

I Am Interested in Becoming a Stephen Minister…What Is The Commitment?

 

Stephen Ministers receive approximately 50 hours of training, based on Biblical resources and drawing from the best tools of psychology and health services before beginning their caregiving work.

Some of the training topics are: “The Art of Listening,” ” How to Use the Bible with Others,” “Confidentiality,” “Ministry to the Dying,” “Depressed,” “Older Persons,” and “Grieving.”

A two-year commitment is necessary: This includes the 50-hour training course offered in weekly evening sessions.

After completion of the training, in addition to your service as a Stephen Minister, two meetings a month will be held for guidance and continuing education.

 
Cancer – Now What? Book – Now Available For Free

A book by Rev. Kenneth C. Haugk, Ph.D., founder and Executive Director of Stephen Ministries. Offers a Way to Offer Help and Hope to Those Facing Cancer. All too often we hear that someone we know is facing cancer. A friend, relative, or neighbor—or a colleague, church member, customer, patient, care receiver, or client—receives the devastating news of a cancer diagnosis. During such a difficult time, we want to reach out with support and care, to offer help and hope. But how?
 
 
If you have questions concerning Stephen Ministries, contact one of the Pastors or:
 

Carolyn Scheer, 402-289-4863
Connie Davis, 402-305-0815
Kathy Rudd, 402-679-2515
Jim Rudd, 559-362-1300