Stephen Ministry has greatly enhanced the pastoral caring opportunities at First Church. People are being equipped to use their caring abilities and Christ-like compassion and the care-receivers are benefiting from the quality care to face life's challenges.
To inquire more about Stephen Ministry, please contact the Church Office at 740-349-7020 or office(at)firstumcnewark.org.
What is the Stephen Ministry?
It is a one-to-one ministry by trained,caring lay persons.
It is a long term helping relationship focusing on the unique needs of each person.
It is a commitment to caring and supporting one another, to build a Christ-centered, sharing community.
It is a response to Christ’s instruction "...to love one another as I have loved you."
It is a religious and educational system of training and organization, which is already working in many congregations throughout the country.
It is the ministry named after St. Stephen, the first deacon in the early church.
Who is a Stephen Minister?
A caring and sharing person who reaches out a supporting hand to the spiritual, social, and emotional need of our community
A lay person, man or woman, who shares his/her gifts for bringing Christ's healing love to people who are lonely, grieving, strangers, new parents, ill, or experiencing other stresses in life.
What kind of needs does Stephen Ministry address?
People who are hospitalized
People who are grieving the loss of a loved one
People who are lonely
People who are depressed
People who are separated or in the process of divorce
People experiencing the birth of a child
People who are shut-in
People who are dying, as well as the families of those who are terminally ill
People experiencing loss of job, or financial setbacks
People and families of those who are in trouble with the law
People who are new to our congregation
People who are inactive members of our congregation
People who are struggling with their faith in God
How does Stephen Ministry work?
A Stephen Ministry training program prepares interested men and women to become Stephen Ministers, equipping them to care for the many needs in our congregation. Their 50 hours of training includes topics such as:
feelings
listening
assertiveness training
confidentiality
crisis theory and intervention
telecare
use of prayer and the Bible
being professional
the "small step" approach
other specialized "needs" including topics on grief, divorce, depression, older persons, stress, etc.
Following training, the Stephen Ministers are commissioned by our congregation into active, caring ministries.
People in need of support are matched with a Stephen Minister through contact with the church office, the pastors, or the Stephen Leaders.
The Stephen Ministers work under the supervision of our pastors and Stephen Leaders with continual consultation and receive on-going education in the helping ministry.
Stephen Ministry is ...
A lay, caring ministry in which one person reaches out to another in time of need.
An ongoing helping relationship: people who need help, get help.
A meaningful way for our congregation to more fully use our talents in sharing one another's burdens and joys.
A Stephen Minister is ...
A caring Christian - desiring to offer his/her support to others in time of need.
A sharing Christian - bringing who he/she is to each helping relationship, as a partner in another's life experiences.
A trained Christian - having developed his/her helping skills through intensive course work.
A dedicated Christian - commissioned by our congregation to confidential, in-depth caring.
A Stephen Minister is NOT ...
A professional counselor or psychologist.
A social worker providing lots of physical services.
An expert in law, finance. church doctrine. etc.
A brief, superficial visitor, "touching base" with people now and then.
Confidentiality
Stephen Ministers abide by the rule that "All transactions, all observations, all impressions and all records made concerning the person are and must remain strictly confidential."
Who do I call?
If you are in need of a Stephen Minister or know someone who is, or if you would like to learn more about the program, please contact the church office at (740) 349-7020 or office(at)firstumcnewark.org.
Please feel free to contact Jeff or Carol Walker at (740) 323-4602 if you have questions or would like additional information about Stephen Ministry.