*Stephen Ministry starts their 2008 Continuing Education on March 27 with a covered dish celebration at 6:30 pm in Swetenburg Hall.

Stephen Ministers

Everyone goes through difficult times.  Having someone to care, to listen, to share God's love with you can help you get through the confusion, stress, or loneliness you may be experiencing.

Some of you have let us know of your interest in this training, others will also receive a letter shortly requesting an indication of your interest in being considered for the training. The selection process will include completing an application and being interviewed. The interview is friendly. We note that the Spirit equips us differently with different gifts to build up the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:4-11). It is our prayer and hope that our selection process helps both the applicant and ourselves to more clearly perceive the gifts the Spirit has given each of us. There exist needs within our congregation right now for Stephen Ministers that we cannot meet until more are trained. Please give prayerful consideration that God might be calling you to this ministry within our church. When you read this notice, if you wish to add your name to the list of applicants, just call the church office and leave your name and interest with the receptionist or with Cliff Rigby at 770-532-0136, extension 29.

The Stephen Ministry at First Presbyterian Church, grounded in Jesus’ command to love one another, offers one-to-one caring relationships for those who are hurting to receive the love and care they need to support them.

Stephen Ministers are laypersons who have received 50 or more hours of training to provide distinctively Christian care. They are caring Christian friends who really listen. Stephen Ministers are not counselors or therapists; they are not problem-solvers; they are care-givers.

Stephen Ministers help meet the needs of those who are:
Hospitalized
Terminally ill
Bereaved
In a job crisis
New members of the church
Disabled
Homebound
Lonely
In a spiritual crisis
Looking for a caring, Christian friend


The Referrals Process

1.    A person — you, a relative, or a friend — is hurting and in need of Christian care.

2.    The Stephen Ministry referrals coordinator learns about this need for care — from the pastors, the person, or a friend – always with the person’s permission.

3.    The referrals coordinator meets with the person to talk about Stephen Ministry.

4.    With the person’s permission, the referrals coordinator assigns a Stephen Minister to meet on a weekly basis with the person.

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

This ministry is a one-on-one listening/caring ministry done by specially trained Stephen Ministers who are lay persons from our congregation committed to it. Stephen Ministers have received 50 hours of training. They are assigned to persons needing the kind of compassionate caring Stephen Ministers give. It’s never easy for any of us to admit that we need caring for ourselves. Most people are much more open to giving care than receiving it. As a result, there are countless people today who, though they really could benefit from a Christian friend who would listen and care for them, choose to “tough it out” on their own. They remain the strong silent type, or wear a smile across a face holding back a flood of tears. Society encourages this (particularly for men). But God did not create us to be independent from other persons. God’s Word is clear on this all the way back to Genesis: “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him” (Genesis 2:18). The New Testament underscores this theme with more than 50 verses that contain the words “one another”. These verses include admonitions such as “love one another,” “encourage one another,” “build up one another,” and “pray for one another.” What these verses don’t say is that only we are to love, encourage, build up, and pray for other people. The “one another” wording gives them a reciprocal meaning. It also tells us that we are to allow other people to love, encourage, build up, and pray for us! It is difficult for people to ask for help. Whatever their reason, many choose to suffer alone rather than ask for, or be open to accept help. But suffering alone is not God’s intent for us. Jesus promises, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). We can receive this promised rest when we turn to one another for comfort and help.  Our Stephen Ministers know all about receiving care. Many of them have been on the receiving end of care at an earlier point in their lives—something that has motivated them to give care now. They know how difficult it is to ask for help, but they also know thegreat personal and spiritual growth and healing that follows. They know how to respond in a loving, caring, and non-judgmental manner. They are equipped, ready, and waiting to provide the comfort and care God very much desires you to have. If you find yourself now or in the future facing difficulties in life, don’t succumb to society’s norm of remaining “strong” and suffering alone. Take the more courageous step of seeking help. Open your heart to receiving God’s love and grace through another person. Our Stephen Ministry offers the opportunity of a very confidential relationship with someone who will listen to you and provide you with the care and encouragement you need, while Christ works inside to bring rest and comfort to your heart, mind, and soul.

For more information on Stephen Ministry, please contact any of our pastoral staff, or come to an informational meeting about Stephen Ministry in the World Mission Classroom 109 on July 26 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided.

Cliff Rigby, Stephen Ministries

Copyright [2007] [First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville]. All rights reserved. 
770-532-0136    800 South Enota Gainesville, GA