Stephen Ministry to Become Inactive

The Stephen Leaders team has been prayerfully considering the future of this program since last fall. There are several factors that went into a decision to become inactive for a year:

1. Despite a major effort to recruit new Stephen Ministers there has been a very small response by the congregation. Two years ago the training class was very small with three new SMs, last year's class had only two new SMs and this year no class was offered because no one was committed to go through the training. This lack of new SM trainees has been both discouraging to the leaders and a drain on the program, as the SM program relies on new SMs coming into the program to replace others who have given their time and now find they want to do something else. In addition, the SM program relies on new Stephen Leaders emerging from the SMs to take further training and step up their time commitment to the program.

2. It is the Stephen Leaders' sense that the members of the congregation have a nominal level of support of the SM program. While it is supported in the budget, few people request SMs and many folks who are encouraged to have a SM by pastors and/or SMs decline to receive the caring and supportive ministry of a SM. An informal survey done a year ago indicated some level of recognition and appreciation for the SMs, but also illuminated what might be called a lack of "buy in" and lack of understanding about the value and need for the SM program. The Stephen Leaders and SMs have put a large effort into educating the congregation (Messenger articles, SM Sunday worship services, bulletin boards, etc.) and have been discouraged because the general membership has not seemed to be moved by these efforts.

3. Stephen Ministry requires a cadre of Leaders--it is a time and energy intensive caring ministry that cannot be supported by just one person in a leadership role. The Leadership team has gone through a prolonged period of burn out: Leaders have had personal issues and other commitments that required their attention and took away focus and energy from the SM program. And the monthly Leader meetings have been characterized by intermittent attendance and participation going back to a half-day retreat in the fall at which these issues about the Stephen Ministry's future were first prayed about and discussed in depth.

So the decision to put the program into an inactive status was made several weeks ago after months of careful thought and prayer. This decision was discussed at two recent SM whole group supervision meetings. The final meeting of the SMs will be at the end of this month. The SM program will be "inactive" for a year with a commitment to bring together the SMs and Leaders next spring to assess that status of the program and how it fits into the life of the church at that point in time.

Please keep the SMs in your prayers. If there are questions or concerns or perspectives, please contact one of the Stephen Leaders or Ministers.

STEPHEN SERIES a complete system of training and organizing lay persons for caring ministry in and around their congregations.

Stephen Ministry in our Congregation...

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

Stephen Ministers are committed Christian people who...

Meets The Need of People

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...

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
prisoners, ex-offenders and their families
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
those in spiritual crisis
Stephen Ministry is confidential ministry: those receiving care can be sure that their identity and what goes on in caring relationship will remain private.

"Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

Multiplies Our Christian Caregiving and Outreach

Our Stephen Ministers work together with our pastor(s) to reach more people with Christian care than pastors can reach by themselves.

People who receive care from a Stephen Minister

receive quality Christian care,
deepen their relationship with their Lord,
grow in their desire to participate in Christian community,
come to value ministry from another lay person while continuing contact with the pastor.

Stephen Ministry enhances our outreach by...

creating a "caring ministry explosion" where many instead of a few are offering God's love and care in intentional, systematic ways.
enabling our entire congregation to grow as a warm, loving, nurturing community where people are cherished and cared for in Jesus Christ.
identifying our congregation to our community as a place where people's needs are taken seriously.

"Encourage one another and build one another up." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

About the Leaders of Our Congregation's Stephen Ministry...

Stephen Leaders are pastors, church staff, and/or lay persons who have completed a seven-day Stephen Series Leader's Training Course and are commissioned to lead Stephen Ministry of our congregation.

Our congregation's Stephen Leaders can ...

help you or someone you know receive care from a Stephen Minister;
tell you how to become a Stephen Minister;
tell you about Stephen Ministry training and our next training class;
answer other questions about our congregation's Stephen Ministry Program.

How You Can Support Our Congregation's Stephen Ministry

Pray for our Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers as they provide Christian care to others.
Pray for all who are receiving confidential care through the Stephen Ministry of our congregation.
Tell Stephen Leaders about those who might benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister - be sure to get that person's permission first!
Tell others in our community about the availability of our congregation's Stephen Ministry and the care it can provide.
Receive Stephen Ministry when you are in need of supportive Christian care.
Consider serving as a Stephen Minister.
Support Stephen Ministry with your financial gifts.