What do The Stephen Ministers Do?
Stephen Ministers provide high-quality trained, one-to-one, confidential, Christ-centred care to those hurting or going through life challenges.
What kinds of Life Challenges do Stephen Ministers offer care for?
All kinds of Life Challenges;
▪ The list is limitless as to what people could need support for themselves or their loved ones.
▪ like those going through Grief, or experiencing loss of any kind,
▪ those going through medical crisis,
▪ job related crisis,
▪ those experiencing broken relationships,
▪ chronic care situations of themselves or a loved one,
▪ end of life or hospice situations,
▪ support for major life transitions,
▪ financial difficulties,
▪ family planning challenges,
▪ those needing support in difficult family situations,
▪ those suffering some sort of spiritual crisis,
▪ or survivors of some sort of trauma
▪ or even just an accumulation of small crisis in a short time and needing support to sort through it all.
If I or someone I know might benefit from a Stephen Minister, what do I do?
– First talk to the person and see if they would be open to receiving a Stephen Minister. Then Talk to one of the Stephen Ministry Leaders or the Pastor, they will get the information from you about the situation.
– With the permission of the person, we will then get in contact with them and set up a time to meet to see if a Stephen Minister would be a good fit for them.
– Once it is determined that it might be a good fit, they will be teemed up with a Stephen Minister, and the caring relationship can begin
If I’m interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, what do I do?
Talk with one of us and we can set up a time to talk about it more in depth with you and see if you would be a good fit for the ministry.
– If all agree that you would be a good fit, you would be put on the wait list for the next training session.
Whom do I talk to or where do I go If I have any questions or want to learn more about Stephen Ministries?
You can talk to any one of us and we can answer your questions.
How does Stephen Ministries support the mission of our Congregation?
– Well as stated in our Church’s mission statement in part of our core
values, we strive for;
▪ Reaching out – inspired by love, living as witnesses serving our community through words and actions
▪ Life-long Spiritual Growth – by developing and using our gifts as we follow Jesus in caring for others as Christ cares for us.
▪ Loving Relationships – an extension of our small groups and other ministries in caring for and supporting each other.
▪ Authenticity – rooted in God’s love, sharing our lives openly and honestly before God and each other.
What’s the biblical basis for Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministry serves to bring Christ’s love and healing to those who are hurt. Jesus instructed His disciples to “love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34). Stephen Ministry, is a care giving ministry, equips people to offer that love through their caring presence, listening, encouraging, and praying with those they are caring for.
Who are the Stephen Ministers at MRCC?
Maria Vander Klippe, Wanda Hill, Mike Hill, Karen Bridges, Brenda Stien