Stephen Ministry

The heart of Colonial Williamsburg

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What is Stephen Ministry?

"Bear one anothers burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."  (Galatians 6:2)

Priests will always be on the front lines of care, especially during times of crisis, but there are many more needs for ongoing care than priests can effectively meet by themselves. Stephen Ministry provides a biblical solution – equipping lay people who are trained to provide one-to-one confidential Christian care. Stephen Ministers reach out with God's love to people who are hurting. There is never any charge for Stephen Ministry care.

Stephen Ministers Care For People Facing Tough Times

"Therefore encourage one another and build up each other."  (I Thessalonians 5:11)


We all experience challenges in life – times when we could benefit from the support of a caring Christian friend. Stephen Ministers are ready to provide the emotional and spiritual care we need when faced with a crisis or difficulty such as: Loss of a loved one; Hospitalization; Divorce or separation; Retirement; Spiritual crisis; Unemployment; Terminal illness; Losses related to aging; Childbirth; Chronic illness; Relocation; Recovery after an accident or disaster; Other major life changes.


A Stephen Minister is a child of God who walks beside a hurting person; a caring Christian friend who really listens; a lay person who has received 50 hours of training in how to provide distinctively Christian care. A Stephen Minister is NOT a counselor or therapist; a problem-solver; a casual visitor.

How Does The Referrals Process Work?

A person – either you, a relative, or a friend – is hurting and in need of Christian care.  The Stephen Ministry Referrals Coordinator learns about this need for care – from the clergy, the person, or a friend, always with the person’s permission.  The Referrals Coordinator meets with the person to talk about Stephen Ministry.  With the person’s permission, the Referrals Coordinator assigns a Stephen Minister to meet on a weekly basis with the person.  The Stephen Minister continues to provide distinctively Christian care for the person in strict confidentiality.

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How Can We Help?

"Love one another as I have loved you."  (John 13:34)


Could you benefit from the confidential, one-to-one care and support of a Stephen Minister? Do you know someone else – perhaps a friend, neighbor, co-worker, or relative who could benefit from Stephen Ministry?  Be sure to get that person’s permission. Are you interested in possibly becoming a Stephen Minister? To let us know how we can help you or to learn more about Stephen Ministry, talk to one of our Stephen Leaders, Stephen Ministers or contact us confidentially at 757-220-2087 .

Stephen Ministries St Louis Supports Our Congregation's Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministries is a not-for-profit Christian educational organization based in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1975, Stephen Ministries provides training and resources to thousands of congregations and organizations worldwide. Go to www.stephenministries.org or call (314)428-2699 to learn more.

 

The Stephen Series logo symbolizes that we all are broken people and that it is through the cross of Jesus that we are made whole.

 

Click What is a Stephen Minister for stories, videos, and more information.

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Being A Stephen Minister

- Laurie Krebs

Autumn is a time for new beginnings. As the school year starts and activities gear up, the churches in Williamsburg, and Bruton in particular, are planning the beginning of a new class of Stephen Ministers. People who are hurting or in crisis do not have to be alone in their pain. A Stephen Minister is a Christian friend who will walk alongside the person during a difficult time, bringing the assurance of God's love and mercy.
 

During the training class, new Stephen Ministers learn ways to listen effectively to their care receiver's concerns, keeping everything between them strictly confidential. Stephen Ministers are not expected to fix problems. With Christ at the center of the relationship, their job is simply to care for the person and allow God to provide the cure.


The wonderful part about Stephen Ministry is that we, the care givers, seem to get so much more than we give. Stephen Ministers across the country write about the blessings they have received as they work with those in need. Here are a few examples.


"Since becoming a Stephen Minister, I've experienced a richness of God's grace beyond anything I could have imagined. To truly listen with the ears of Christ, to see others through his eyes, to know his heart, to see Jesus working through you to touch the life of someone else is a window into heaven." (William, Business Owner, Katy, Texas)


"God gave me a heart for other people. Stephen Ministry gave me the skills I needed to minister to others and bring God's love into their lives during a time of deep need. I'm humbled and awed God can use me like this." (Charlotte, Case Management, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)


"Being a Stephen Minister has taught me to rely on God instead of always trying to fix things myself. I've learned what to say, how to listen, and what to do during a crisis. It's a great feeling to provide people with the spiritual care and support they need." (John, Physician, Greenwood, South Carolina)


And a special gift from one of our own Bruton Parish Stephen Ministers. "What we realize, as we walk with people, is that it is a complete circle of trust and growth — the care receiver, the care giver, and the presence of Jesus. My prayers, as I prepare to visit my care receiver, allow me to enter the circle each time we talk, open and ready to do what is needed. The journey is not what we do for them but the shared experience of understanding and listening.”

 

“The gift is a shared one, and being a Stephen Minister enables one to grow in ways that are amazing. Stephen Ministers have an opportunity to be there, but with guidance and training, step aside and allow the best in another person truly to shine. What a gift!"


Perhaps, as you read these thoughts, you found you'd like to learn more about Stephen Ministry. Please call one of Bruton's Stephen Leaders: John Fogarty at 757-345-5657 or Mary Jean Hurst at 757-810-5112 for more information.

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