Stephen Ministry is a one-on-one, confidential ministry focused on listening, caring and providing support during life's challenges. When you need someone that is not quite as close to the situation you are in, a Stephen Minister can be there. A third party that will listen with no judgment given toward you, your situation or others involved in your situation. You will meet with your Stephen Minister once a week for an hour. You will be your Stephen Minister's only care receiver. Stephen Ministers are placed with a care receiver of same gender.
Who can benefit from Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministers receive over 50 hours of training to help individuals dealing with:
> Separation/Divorce
> Grieving The Death of Someone Close
> Empty Nest Adjustments
> Stress From A New Baby
> Loneliness/Depression
> Terminal Illness/Hospitalization
> Spiritual Confusion or Frustration
> Job Change or Crisis
The list could go on and on. God gave us the Body of Christ to care for each other. Galatians 6:2 tells us "Bear one another's burden and so fulfill the law of Christ." He gave us each other as support, an extension of Himself and for encouragement. Allow Him to minister to you through Stephen Ministry.
How does the referrals process work?
1. If you, a relative or a friend you know is hurting, call Stonecreek's care ministry at 770-754-7900, ext. 112 or e-mail us at .
2. The Stephen Ministry Referrals Coordinator will contact the person making the request to talk about the specific need as well as how a Stephen Minister can help.
3. With the person's permission, the Referrals Coordinator assigns a Stephen Minister to meet with him or her on a weekly basis (Please note: The Minister/Care Receiver match is always male to male or female to female.)
4. The Stephen Minister continues to provide distinctly Christian care for the person in strict confidentiality until the Care Receiver no longer feels he or she needs care.
A Stephen Minister is NOT...
A Stephen Minister is not in the position to take the place of a professional counselor or therapist. A Stephen Minister is also not a casual visitor that just touches base occasionally. If you or someone you know needs professional care please see our list of counselors for a referral.
Would you like to train to become a Stephen Minister at Stonecreek?
Stonecreek's next training class for Stephen Ministry will begin in late July, 2008. Stonecreek is currently looking for lay people in our congregation who have the interest, spiritual giftedness and compassion to give one-on-one Christian care to individuals who are facing a wide variety of crises or life challenges, including people who are grieving, divorced or separated, terminally ill, unemployed, hospitalized, homebound, lonely or discouraged and experiencing spiritual struggles. Stephen Ministers must commit to 50-hours of Christian care-giving training between the end of July and mid-November, 2008 as well as two-years of service following training. Stephen Ministers typically have one care receiver at a time and meet with that person once a week for about an hour. In addition, they gather with their Stephen Leaders twice a month for supervision and continuing education.
Application Process:
Download and complete the Stephen Minister application. When complete, please place in an envelope marked 'Care Ministry' and either turn it in at the Segue Desk during normal business hours (M-Th 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Su 9 a.m. to 12 Noon) or mail it to:
Stonecreek Church
Attention: Care Ministry
13540 Highway 9 North
Milton, Georgia 30004
Learn More:
Learn more about Stephen Ministry at their official web site.
To talk with someone at Stonecreek about becoming a Stephen Minister, call the care ministry at 770-754-7900, ext. 112.
