The Mission

of our

Stephen Ministry

is to provide

one-on-one

Compassionate

Christian

Care

to hurting people.

Stephen Ministry Training Class Set to Begin

The Stephen Leaders are pleased to announce members of Lord of Life to be trained as Stephen Ministers; Darlene Curoe, Kevin Curoe, Jeanie Donohue, Lin Massey, Tonia Ricke, and Al Simms.

50 hours of training will begin on January 5. Training sessions will occur most Thursday evenings through April, 6:30-9:00. Retreat sessions will also be held January 28 and March 30-31. At the completion of their training, they will be commissioned as Stephen Ministers to provide one-to-one care to individuals experiencing difficulties in life.

The training sessions will be led by our Stephen Leaders, Jean Krueger, Ken Resch, Mona Sorenson, and Heidi Wiese, and Pastor John Sorenson. The skills our Stephen Ministers learn and practice prepare them to provide a very high level of Christian caregiving. The training is intense because it explores some serious life issues, but it is also a growth-producing and enjoyable experience. Training topics include: The Art of Listening, Distinctively Christian Caring, Maintaining Boundaries in Caregiving, Confidentiality, and Ministering to Those Experiencing Grief.

Please lift up the training class in your prayers over the coming months and watch for training class updates.

Becoming a Stephen Minister

How do YOU become a Stephen Minister?

• Pray. Ask God whether Stephen Ministry is the right ministry for you. Search your heart for God's direction for you.
• Discover your spiritual gifts. Stephen Ministers need to be loving, patient, non-judgmental, confidential, prayerful, encouraging, and good listeners.
• Assess your current responsibilities. A two year commitment is required which includes 50 hours of training. If you are stretched thin already, this may not be the time to become a Stephen Minister. Or this may be the time to reevaluate and prioritize everything you are doing so you can make the commitment to Stephen Ministry.
• Look at your life circumstances. For instance, if you are in the midst of the grief process, it may be better for you to be a care receiver at this time rather than be a caregiver.
• Talk to a Stephen Leader. Direct your questions or express your interest to Jean Krueger, Ken Resch, Mona Sorenson, Heidi Wiese, or Pastor John.
• Fill out a Stephen Minister application form.

                                                     ***

The week of July 31 to August 6 found Pr. John, Mona Sorenson, Jean Krueger, Heidi Weise and Ken Resch in Pittsburgh for the Stephen Ministry Leader’s Training Course. Now well-grounded in the essentials of Stephen Ministry, our Lord of Life team will begin training lay caregivers to minister to the needs of our congregation. During their time in Pittsburgh, the team developed their mission statement to clarify what they want Stephen Ministry to be for Lord of Life.

The mission of Stephen Ministry is to provide one-on-one  compassionate, Christian care to hurting people.

Stephen Ministries takes its name from St. Stephen, who was the first lay person commissioned by the apostles to provide caring ministry to those in need. Within congregations, carefully trained caregivers reach out to members in need.  If you are interested in more details about possibly becoming a Stephen Minister or if you would simply like to know more about this exciting new program at Lord of Life, please join us during the adult education time on October 2^nd.  During this hour we will offer more insight into how you can become a Stephen Ministry as well as how Stephen Ministers and the Stephen Ministry program are able to help others in need.