STEPHEN MINISTRY
The Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential, one-on-one Christian care to our members, friends of members, and peop;e in the community who are experiencing difficulties.
Good Shepherd's program has trained over 30 Stephen Ministers. Our ministers are assigned to minister in our congregation and community, working with people who are experiencing such life crisis as hospitalization, retirement, financial setback, the loss of a loved one, or any number of other difficulties associated with daily life.
Stephen Ministers are known as the "After People." To learn more about this concept, click here.
Strephen Minstry Coordinators Janet
Smith |
Commissioning
Stephen Ministers
September 13, 2009
Pictured
(left to Right): Colton,
Calvin, Paula, Pastor Dick, Linda, Jill, Jennifer & Tiff (To
hear the ceremony, click
here) September 13, 2009 This is a joyous occasion at Good Shepherd. At the 8:30 service, 7 lay people from our congregation were commissioned into a special ministry of care and concem for others as Stephen Ministers. This rite of commissioning culminates a period of extensive training and preparation for caring ministry. Our Stephen Ministers have studied and practiced skills in such areas as dealing with feelings, crisis intervention, asserting oneself with gentleness and firmness, and numerous other topics to prepare them to help people who are experiencing problems in their lives. After the commissioning, these Stephen Ministers will be assigned to minister in our congregation and community, working with people who are experiencing such life crises as hospitalization, retirement, financial setback, the loss of a loved one, or any of a number of other difficulties people face in daily living. We thank God for their gifts of caring and listening. Their ministries will increase greatly the overall ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ at Good Shepherd. Please keep these people in your prayers as they carry the love of Christ to their care receivers. |