Christ Caring for People through People

Sycamore Presbyterian Church is implementing Stephen Ministry and expects to be fully functional in June, 2011.

Stephen Ministry is a process – over 35 years in the making – by which those who are hurting receive healing care.  It is a safe and stable method of extending God’s love to those in need, multiplying the resources offered by our ordained staff, and offering one way to fulfill Jesus’ command to “love one another”.  If someone is faced with a crisis or difficulty such as the loss of a loved one, hospitalization, divorce, unplanned unemployment, or other serious problem they might benefit as a care receiver of a Stephen Minister.  A Stephen Minister is a lay member of the congregation, especially trained for the ministry and commissioned by the congregation to fill this special role.

With the care receiver’s agreement, a Stephen Minister is assigned on a one-to-one basis.   They will visit on a weekly basis.  They will listen, offer resources and referrals, if needed, pray with you, pray for you, and offer Christian love and support.  Stephen Ministers are not counselors or therapists, problem solvers, nor a casual visitor.  But they may become the person through whom God works His healing. The Stephen Ministers and the Stephen Leader Team hold sacred the confidentiality of everything concerning the relationship between the care receiver and the Stephen Minister. 

The Stephen Leader Team has been trained and commissioned, and is seeking members to serve as Stephen Ministers.  Applications are available on the Stephen Ministry table in the Connector.  (Leave completed applications in the Stephen Ministry mail slot outside the office by the end of October, and we will call to set up an interview.)   Stephen Minister training sessions are scheduled to begin in February, 2011 and conclude in June.  The training encompasses 50 hours of instruction that is design to equip Stephen Ministers for their caring work.  After completion of training, the Stephen Ministers are commissioned by the congregation and will be ready for matching with care receivers.

If you want more information about Stephen Ministry please contact one of the Stephen Leaders or the church office.

Christ-centered caring that makes a difference during life crisis.