Stephen Ministry

 

Do you need to talk to someone who knows how to listen?

 

Would you like to talk with a qualified person about a personal situation you are dealing with?

Are you looking for a caring person to help you through a crisis?

The Stephen Ministry program is a free and confidential service for people in need of care.

This web site answers the following questions you might have:

 

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion.” Colossians 3:12
 

What is the Stephen Ministry Program?

Stephen Ministry is a nationwide program named after Stephen, the first of the deacons in the early church, commissioned by the apostles to provide care and comfort for the needs of people in the Christian community. Today, at Pennington Presbyterian Church and around the world, volunteer lay ministers who have completed intensive training and participated in on-going training, provide confidential, caring ministry to those experiencing a wide range of life needs or crises. It is an extension, not a replacement, of pastoral care.
 

Who is a Stephen Minister?

Stephen Ministers are dedicated lay people who:

  • Provide one-to-one caring, in depth ministry to others in time of need
  • Extend the hand of Christian friendship
  • Visit weekly, or as needed
  • Care enough to commit to caring relationship as long as the need exists
  • Listen empathetically and keep confidentiality
  • Help a person work through problems
  • Encourage a care receiver to take positive steps
  • Use Christian resources such as scripture and prayer
“Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
 

What training do they have?

Stephen Ministers receive extensive training which includes:

  • How to listen
  • How to deal with feelings
  • How to be professional
  • How to express honesty, warmth, and care
  • How to help in times of crisis
  • How to minister to those dealing with grief, divorce, death, depression, illness, and many other areas

How effective is it?

When people experience loss, grief, or other stressful changes in their lives, there is a need for an empathetic listener. Family and close friends are often too emotionally involved to meet this need. Stephen Ministers are trained to be caring Christian friends who can help hurting individuals sort out options. They do not give advice or provide solutions.
Stephen Ministers are not professional counselors, psychologists, social workers, or experts in law, finance, church doctrine, and so on, but neither are they merely visitors. God is viewed as providing the cure while Stephen Ministers provide the care. Stephen Ministers receive care themselves when they attend required, monthly peer supervision and continuing education meetings on the second Monday of every month. Here, Stephen Ministers receive consultation and support from other Stephen Ministers.
 
“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete is us” 1John 4:11-12

 

 

Am I assured of confidentiality?

Confidentiality is the basis of all Stephen Ministry relationships. Anyone receiving care can be assured that his or her identity—and what is shared in a caring relationship—will remain private.

 

 

How can I tell if I really need to talk?

  • Am I confused about events in my life?
  • Do I feel like I have lost control of my life and my problems?
  • Do I often feel overwhelmed?
  • Do I doubt God's presence and love for me?
  • Am I hurting?
  • Do my job worries seem too great to handle? Are they getting me down?
  • Am I feeling lonely? Do I often wish I had someone to share my thoughts with?
  • Have there been changes in my life that have caused readjustments in my lifestyle?
  • Am I having difficulty making decisions and finding answers?
  • Have I recently suffered a loss?
  • Do I feel like I just want someone to listen?

What are some examples of problems Stephen Ministers deal with?

Those experiencing:

  • Hospitalization
  • Declining health, disability, or terminal illness
  • The illness of a loved one
  • The death of a loved one
  • Divorce or separation from a spouse
  • Severe financial setback
  • Difficulties associated with aging
  • Transition to assisted living or nursing homes
  • Family or domestic problems
  • Isolation or Loneliness
  • Sadness
“Encourage one another and build one another up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
 

How do I get a Stephen Minister?

Simply call the Church's office at 609-737-1221 and ask to speak to the Stephen Ministry Referral Coordinator. (Rev. Susan Fall)

When someone, such as yourself, a relative, or a friend is hurting and in need of Christian care, please feel free to call Rev. Nancy Mikoski or Rev. Susan Fall. Once we learn about a need, we can place a call. All contacts are made only with the person's permission.

The Referrals Coordinator meets with the person, explains how the Stephen Ministry works and then assigns a Stephen Minister to meet on a weekly, or as-needed, basis with the person.

The Stephen Minister continues to provide distinctively Christian care for the person in strict confidentiality.
 

What is the difference between a Stephen Ministry Relationship and a friendship?

A Stephen Minister is different from a close friend, and it's important to understand the distinction. In a time of grief or crisis, the care receiver benefits from the care of both a Stephen Minister and a close friend.

Stephen Ministers have a lot in common with close friends. You can depend on them; you can trust them; you know that they'll keep confidential whatever you tell them. They'll be there for you and help you through a rough time. But the Stephen Minister's role is different from the role of a close friend.

Of course, once the Stephen Ministry relationship is over, the relationship between the Stephen Minister and care receiver may blossom into a friendship. But when a person is going through a rough time, he or she will benefit from the focused care a Stephen Minister – in addition to the care of his or her loyal friends.
 

Who are our Stephen Ministers?

Active Stephen Minister Leaders are:

  • Rev Susan Fall
  • Andrea McDonough
  • Robert Fletcher

Active, trained Stephen Ministers are:

  • Stuart Carothers
  • Beth Gensel
  • Gaby Kimmel
  • Dee Norris
  • Karen Schmutz
  • Rob Seiz
  • Christy Stephenson
  • Sheryl Stone

How do I become a Stephen Minister?

If you feel that you want to become a Stephen Minister, first pray about it, then look at the spiritual gifts that God has blessed you with, look at your current responsibilities (Stephen Ministry is a big commitment) and consider your own emotional circumstances. Then if you can truly say “Yes, I want to become a Stephen Minister”, you should contact one of out Stephen Leaders listed above.
 

Where can I learn more about Stephen Ministry?

To learn more about the Stephen Ministries in general, please click on the following link:

http://www.stephenministries.org/
 
13 South Main Street ~ Pennington, New Jersey
(609) 737-1221
 

Copyright © 2000 - 2008, Pennington Presbyterian Church