I had the privilege of participating in the Stephen Ministry team workshop last Saturday. If you are unfamiliar with Stephen Ministry, this is an important ministry of our church that trains and equips lay people to provide one-to-one Christian care to hurting people in our community. All Stephen Ministers have received extensive training in providing high-quality, distinctively Christian care. They are effective listeners, and have been trained to listen, care, pray, support, and encourage those who are hurting, going through a life transition such as the loss of a loved one or adjusting to a new job, or are just in need of someone to talk to.
At this workshop, the team invited a guest speaker with immense experience in pastoral care to equip us with practical and spiritual skills to help us grow as caregivers. I am thoroughly impressed with how many hours the Stephen Ministers invest in continuing education. Although they go through a significant training program to become Stephen Ministers in the first place, they continue to invest much time and effort in staying current, acquiring new skillsets, deepening their love for Jesus and for his people, and working together as a team to make sure the team is growing, which directly results in the people of our community receiving excellent care when they reach out to connect with a Stephen Minister.
Moreover, the Stephen Ministers regularly connect with one another to enjoy beautiful fellowship. At this retreat, we shared a time of worship and taking communion together. The Stephen Ministers at our church demonstrate Radical Hospitality and Meaningful Connections. They actively embody their belief that people were all made to live in a loving community. Because they experience that community themselves, and because they invest time in building that community on a regular basis, the care receivers can be assured that the Stephen Ministers are committed to walking alongside them in authentic community.
I want to take this time to thank our Stephen Ministers for their many years of faithful service to our church and the community around us. Their tireless work in serving those who are hurting is truly representative of who we are as a church, and I am so thankful for this team. If you are experiencing grief, hurt, loss, or loneliness, I highly recommend that you click the button below to connect with a Stephen Minister. If you want to learn more about Stephen Ministry and see how you might be able to serve alongside this team, please email the Stephen Ministry Admin team.
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