Stephen Ministries
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When someone you know is in need of care...
Stephen Ministers are here!
Hurting? Would you like to have someone in your life who really cares?
Stephen Ministers CareStephen Ministry is grounded in Jesus’ command to love one another. Through one-to-one caring relationships, those who are hurting receive the love and care they need to support them.
- Is life more than you can handle alone right now?
- Are your health, your attitude, or your relationships suffering?
- Are you adjusting to a new job, change in marital status, a serious illness, the death of a loved one, or a recent move?
- Would you like to have someone in your life who really cares?
- Everyone goes through difficult times. Having someone to care, to listen, and to share God’s love with you. We can help you get through the confusion, stress, or loneliness you may be experiencing.
What is Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministers are trained to assist the clergy in the care and nurturing of a congregation. A Stephen Minister will call on you on a pre-determined regular, weekly basis to be a listening, caring friend. We offer distinctively Christian care to those in need.
A Stephen Minister is …- A child of God who walks beside a person who is hurting.
- A caring, Christian friend who takes the time to really listen and not judge.
- A lay person who has received over 50 hours of training in how to provide distinctively Christian care in a completely confidential manner.
What Stephen Ministry Is NOT…- A counselor or therapist
- A problem-solver
- A casual visitor
What are the needs with which Stephen Ministry can help?
We help those who are:- Hospitalized or experiencing a long-term illness or disability
- Experiencing the loss of a loved one
- In a job crisis
- Discouraged or in a spiritual crisis
- Experiencing a life crisis such as separation, divorce, empty nest or retirement
- Relocation
- Aging or moving to a care facility
How exactly does the referral system work?- A person—either you, a relative, or friend is hurting and in need of Christian care.
- The Stephen Ministry Referral Coordinator learns about this need for care from a pastor, a friend, or from the person in need of care and only after the person in need has granted permission.
- The Referral Coordinator meets with the person to talk about Stephen Ministry.
- With permission, the Referral Coordinator assigns a Stephen Minister to meet on a weekly basis with that person.
- The Stephen Minister provides distinctively Christian and strictly confidential care.
Stephen Ministers are called to be Caregivers.
Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
~Galatians 6:2
Encourage the faint hearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them.
~I Thessalonians 5:14
GOD is the Cure-giver.
Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you.
~Psalm 55:22
Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
~Matthew 11:28
** Saint Pius X Catholic Church has joined over 12,000 other congregations as a member of the nationally-acclaimed Stephen Ministry program, based in St. Louis, MO. This unique ministry trains lay members to be caregivers who listen, encourage, pray, keep confidence, support and walk beside a hurting person.
~“Christ Caring For People Through People”
Consider allowing a Stephen Minister to walk with you on your journey to wholeness. Call on someone who cares.For more information, contact:
Dave Laux
Stephen Ministry Leader &
Referral Coordinator
Confidential contact information:
Phone: 574-993-0932
E-mail: spxstephenministry@gmail.com