WHAT IS STEPHEN MINISTRY?
Stephen Ministry is a ministry here at SFUMC that is grounded in Jesus’ command to love one another. It equips people to provide one-to-one caring relationships to those who are experiencing all kinds of life needs and circumstances.
Stephen Ministry Meets the Needs of People.
Stephen Ministry is for anyone who needs support during a difficult time in life. We all have those “speed bumps” in our road of life, times when we are lonely, confused, hurt, frightened, grieving or questioning our faith. These needs include, but are not limited to: facing life transitions, new members of the church, looking for a spiritual companion, hospitalized, bereaved, serious illness, job crisis, disabled, lonely or aging.
In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul tells us such crises can be opportunities for personal growth, but as we who are in Christ experience suffering of one sort or another, we also experience comfort through Christ. One way we receive this comfort is through others who have likewise received comfort and care through Christ (II Corinthians 1:4-6).
Who can be referred?
Any person 18 or older may refer themselves including family members, friends, neighbors, church member and/or non-member. Minor children are ineligible. Stephen Ministry is one-on-one support, i.e. couples are not assigned as a couple, nor a family as a group. Each individual can be assigned their own Stephen Minister: Women are only assigned with women and men assigned with men.
HOW DOES THE REFERRALS PROCESS WORK?
HOW CAN I REQUEST A STEPHEN MINISTER?
Stephen Ministry is a ministry here at SFUMC that is grounded in Jesus’ command to love one another. It equips people to provide one-to-one caring relationships to those who are experiencing all kinds of life needs and circumstances.
- Is life more than you can handle alone right now?
- Are your health, your attitude, or your relationships suffering?
- Are you adjusting to a new job, a change in marital status, a serious illness, the death of a loved one, a recent move?
- Would you like to have someone in your life that really cares?
Stephen Ministry Meets the Needs of People.
Stephen Ministry is for anyone who needs support during a difficult time in life. We all have those “speed bumps” in our road of life, times when we are lonely, confused, hurt, frightened, grieving or questioning our faith. These needs include, but are not limited to: facing life transitions, new members of the church, looking for a spiritual companion, hospitalized, bereaved, serious illness, job crisis, disabled, lonely or aging.
In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul tells us such crises can be opportunities for personal growth, but as we who are in Christ experience suffering of one sort or another, we also experience comfort through Christ. One way we receive this comfort is through others who have likewise received comfort and care through Christ (II Corinthians 1:4-6).
Who can be referred?
Any person 18 or older may refer themselves including family members, friends, neighbors, church member and/or non-member. Minor children are ineligible. Stephen Ministry is one-on-one support, i.e. couples are not assigned as a couple, nor a family as a group. Each individual can be assigned their own Stephen Minister: Women are only assigned with women and men assigned with men.
HOW DOES THE REFERRALS PROCESS WORK?
- A person — you, a relative, or a friend — is hurting and/or in need of Christian care.
- The Stephen Ministry Leader learns about this need for care—from you, the pastor, or a friend, always with the person’s permission.
- A Stephen Leader meets with the person to talk about the Stephen Ministry.
- With the person’s permission, the Stephen Leader assigns a Stephen Minister who will contact the person and arrange for a meeting.
- The Stephen Minister continues to provide distinctively Christian care for the person in strict confidentiality. Their identity and what goes on in the caring relationship will remain private. Only one Stephen Leader, the Stephen Minister, and the person receiving care are aware of the caring relationship.
HOW CAN I REQUEST A STEPHEN MINISTER?
- You may request a Stephen Ministry referral by calling the church or using the online form below. You may also speak to a Pastor or to any Stephen Minister, and they will pass the request directly to a Referral Coordinator.
- When you ask for help from a Stephen Minister, a Referral Coordinator will contact you to talk more about Stephen Ministry and what it can mean to you.
- If your needs can be best served by a Stephen Minister, you will be matched with someone who will support you through this tough time.
- The Stephen Minister and the Care Receiver will discuss your concerns and decide upon a regular meeting schedule, usually once a week.
- The Stephen Minister will provide support as long as the care receiver wants the caring relationship to continue.
- Confidentiality is a top priority for Stephen Ministers.