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A Note From The
Director
As a growing church body we always need to train additional Stephen
Ministers. Unlike most caring ministries are at EFCN, we are
not a support group. Stephen Ministry works
one on one with adults who
are going through
a time of personal crisis. We meet with them at the church for
about an hour each week for as long as is needed, to provide
Christ-centered distinctively
Christian care. Men work with men, and women come alongside women
to listen, care for, encourage, support, and pray with hurting
people. We have the
privilege of being "Jesus with skin on" in a fast paced and
often cold, and cruel world in which we live in. There is more
information below and to the right about becoming a Stephen Minister.
Additionally,
we as Stephen Ministers meet twice monthly for
peer based supervision and continuing education. Within our small
groups led by trained facilitators we are held accountable first
to each other
but most importantly to God, who is our heavenly Father. It is
His important work that we are called to do. All the while strict
confidentiality is
maintained as a part of this process. If you have ever been trained
as a Stephen Minister either at EFCN or elsewhere please prayerfully
consider contacting Sherry Dunning to become a part of our ministry. The need is
great for Stephen Ministers; often we must maintain a "wait" list
in order to serve everyone.
I am honored and blessed to be a
part of Stephen Ministry at EFCN. God has used us in amazing
ways in people's lives as we have been
allowed to come alongside and redirect (or direct initially),
men and women back to Jesus Christ. One of the mottoes that we
learn in training
is that "Stephen Ministry is Christ caring for people through people".
What a privilege it is to serve God and others in this way.
Serving Him at EFCN,
Sherry Dunning
Director of Stephen Ministry
The Latest News from Stephen Ministry
The weather has changed and that means it is time again to begin
our next training class. Our ten Stephen Ministry trainees
began their initial two-year commitment on September 18, 2007. This
means that they
will be ready to be commissioned to do this valuable work beginning
next spring. As usual Harry Bontrager has taken the lead in
teaching these servants “the ropes” of this caring ministry.
The rest of the Stephen Leader team will also be sharing in the privilege
of training this year.
Meanwhile, “back at the ranch” our 30
current Stephen Ministers and Stephen Leaders continue to be
used by God to come alongside those
men and women facing a variety of personal crisis. It is an amazing
and humbling experience to watch as God uses us to be care
givers, as He heals
because He alone is the ultimate cure giver. What an honor to
be used in this way, we boldly give Him all the glory.
Please
continue to pray that we would be clean vessels for God to
use as we touch those hurting lives all around us. If you have
previously
been trained as a Stephen Minister (either here at EFCN or
at another church), please consider and pray about whether God
is asking you to return
to this calling. With a church of our size, we would love to
invite you back into the ministry to be used by Him. Simply
email Sherry
Dunning for information regarding joining our
team of care givers.
What is Stephen
Ministries
The Vision of Stephen Ministries is
that the local church would embody and express Jesus' command, "Love
one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another" (John
13:34).
The Name Stephen comes
from St. Stephen, who was the first layperson commissioned by
the Apostles to provide caring ministry
to those in need (Acts 6). It is based on the charge from Galatians
6:2 to “Carry each other's burdens,
and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ”
The Stephen Ministry
program at EFCN has been active
for over ten years. Trained members of the local church provide
quality, one-to-one Christian care to individuals experiencing
a life crisis.
Care-givers and Care-receivers generally meet for about 1 hour
per week for as long as the care-receiver needs support. This ministry
is a one
to one ministry, with men working with men and women working with
women.
We currently have 31 active Stephen Ministers, 4
Stephen Leaders.
 This
image is the care-givers compass that guides this uniquely Christian
care-giving relationship:
Compassionate – Care-givers are trained to
listen to Care Receivers with compassion and without judgment.
Full
of Faith – Care-givers are trained to keep the relationship
God-centered, Spirit-led, prayer-focused, and grounded in the Word.
Skilled – Care-givers
are trained in reflective listening, biblically-based, loving care-giving.
Trustworthy – Care-givers are reliable, available,
provide unconditional Christian love and support, and maintain confidentiality
in all
circumstances.
And at the center
of the compass is Christ– The Stephen
Minister is the care-giver, Christ is the CURE-giver.
The "After" People
Frequently friends will ask, “I know you’re
involved in Stephen Ministry. Can you tell me exactly what a Stephen
Minister is?” I like to explain that Stephen Ministers are “After
People.” Stephen Ministers are there:
- After you’ve
washed and returned the last casserole dish.
- After the divorce papers
have been served and the bottom falls out of your life.
- After
the last child honks the horn, waves, and drives away—and
the house suddenly seems incredibly empty.
- After you arrive
home following the funeral service and the emotions you’ve
held at bay come crashing in on you.
- After the relationship has ended
but the wounds are still bleeding and painful.
- After the doctors
have said, “There’s nothing more we can
do.”
- After the door has
slammed shut—for
the very last time.
- After the phone call
you’d always hoped you’d
never get.
- After you realize the hands on the gold watch
you received at your retirement party move more slowly
than you ever imagined.
- After the nursing home
director shakes your hand and says, “Welcome
to your new home.”
- After the gavel goes down, the handcuffs
go on, and your loved one is led away.
- After the baby
has arrived, putting more demands on you than you ever
dreamed possible.
- After you find the pink slip inserted with what
is now your final paycheck.
- After your family and friends have heard
your story one too many times, but you still need to talk
it out.
Stephen Ministers are the “After People.” We
are ready to come alongside you—or your friends, neighbors, coworkers,
or relatives—and
provide comfort and support for as long “after” as
we are needed. |
