(Updated 12/18/06)
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Love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12 |
Jesus speaks these words to all who would follow Him. Love is the essence of His teaching [John 13:34-35; Matthew 22:36-40]. And love is the essence of God's character [1 John 4:16]. Out of His love for sinful and fallen mankind God sent Jesus to take on human flesh and die for the sins of the world [John 3:16-17]. Jesus reached out especially to those who were hurting, downcast, shunned and lonely. He extended Himself to them in selfless acts of love, giving them His full attention, speaking words of comfort and encouragement, and often healing them of their afflictions.
All people experience challenging and difficult times in their lives: sorrow and grief at the death of a loved one, frustration over a debilitating illness, stress and confusion at the unexpected loss of a job, anxiety about a difficult surgery and recovery, pain and loneliness of a broken marriage, etc. Sadly, people often choose to suffer life's difficulties silently and alone. A true sign of inner strength is to acknowledge your need and desire for help when things are not going well for you ... and to allow God's people to reach out to you with understanding, encouragement, and prayer. God's people need not suffer silently and alone!
WHAT IS STEPHEN MINISTRY?
Stephen Ministry is an intentional one-to-one ministry of Christ-centered caring during especially challenging and difficult times in a person's life. It is an extension of the caring ministry provided by Redeemer's pastors.
WHO ARE STEPHEN MINISTERS?
Stephen Ministers are volunteer Christian caregivers specially trained to help. They share God's love by listening, encouraging, comforting, and praying with someone having special needs for Christian care. They are concerned and compassionate men and women of Redeemer who have a heart for those who are hurting and have received special training to help. Stephen Ministers are not professional counselors. They do not replace the help provided by trained and educated therapists and counselors.
HOW CAN I ARRANGE FOR THE CARE OF A STEPHEN MINISTER?
If you or someone you know would benefit from the loving care of a Stephen Minister, contact Pastor Richert by phone (248.644.4010) or email him at crichert@redeemerbirmingham.org
He will discuss your concerns, answer your questions about Stephen Ministry and refer you to a Stephen Leader, who will contact you. All information shared will be kept confidential.
Personal Testimony of someone served by Redeemer's Stephen Ministry: When hopes and dreams are shattered, one feels the burden of frustration and loneliness. God heard my prayers and sent a caring member of Redeemer's Stephen Ministry to comfort and strengthen my faith during the most difficult time in my life, caring for my loved one. My heart was heavy with grief and sadness when the Lord called him home. My Stephen Minister visited weekly, listening, reading the Scriptures and praying to assure me of God's love. My Stephen Minister was trained, caring and dedicated to comfort me as a child of God. Thanks and praise to God for all the faithful servants of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
WHAT IF I'M INTERESTED IN BECOMING A STEPHEN MINISTER?
Pastor Richert will be happy to speak with you about all that is involved in becoming trained as a Stephen Minister. Call him at (248.644.4010) or email him at crichert@redeemerbirmingham.org He may also suggest that you speak with other Stephen Leaders or Stephen Ministers.
TELL ME MORE ABOUT STEPHEN MINISTRY
Stephen Ministry is named after the martyr Stephen [Acts 6-7], who had been chosen by the apostles to minister to the special needs of people in the early Christian Church in Jerusalem. He became a bold witness to the love and teachings of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the world. In time he was stoned to death for refusing to deny Christ.
Stephen Ministries St. Louis was founded as a not-for-profit religious organization in 1975 by Dr. Kenneth C. Haugk, a pastor and clinical psychologist. Dr. Haugk founded Stephen Ministries St. Louis to equip congregations to train their church members for caregiving ministry. Redeemer is one of more than 7,000 congregations enrolled in the Stephen Series. Stephen Ministries St. Louis serves congregations from more than 90 denominations. Over 30,000 Stephen Leaders have been trained at Stephen Series Leader's Training Courses, and over 200,000 Stephen Ministers have been trained in local congregations. It is estimated that Stephen Ministers have cared for at least a half million care receivers. For more information about Stephen Ministries, go to their website at stephenministries.org