Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry is one of the many ways in which we care for one another at St. Martin's
August 2008 will mark the 29th Anniversary of the establishment of Stephen Ministry in our Congregation. Since the beginning, hundreds of people have received ministry through the Distinctively Christian Care Giving approach upon which Stephen Ministry is based.
New Stephen Ministry Training Class in Fall 2008. Are you called to be trained as a Stephen Minister? Please prayerfully consider becoming a part of this wonderful caring ministry. Contact: Deb Johnson or Becky Montgomery.
To Whom Do Stephen Ministers Provide Care?
Stephen Ministry helps meet the needs of individuals who are hospitalized, terminally ill, bereaved, in a job crisis, new members of the church, disabled, homebound, lonely, in spiritual crisis, or looking for a caring, Christian friend.
Stephen Ministry's approach is a highly structured system for providing well-trained lay ministry of Christian care giving to those people facing challenging life circumstances, those who have special needs for God's healing love.
The Stephen Ministry system, under the leadership of the pastoral staff and a cadre of specially trained Stephen Leaders, is regularly evaluated for effectiveness and adherence to the requirements of the Stephen Ministry organization in St. Louis. All Stephen Ministers have successfully completed a 50-hour training program and meet regularly for continuing education and peer supervision.
Continuing education is open to all congregation members.
Click on "Continuing Education" to the left to see our presenters & topics for Spring 2007
Stephen Ministers establish a one-on-one confidential relationship with those needing support, by listening actively and helping the "care receiver" understand his or her situation better.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is one of the cornerstones of Stephen Ministry. Conversations between Stephen Ministers and individuals are private.
How Does the Referrals Process Work?
1 A person, either you, a relative, or a friend, is hurting and in need of Christian care.
2 The Stephen Ministry Referrals Coordinator learns about this need for care from the pastors, the person, a friend, or from personal observation. It is best for the pastor or the friend to obtain permission before speaking with the referrals coordinator.
3 The Referrals Coordinator contacts the person to talk about Stephen Ministry.
4 With the person's permission, the Referrals Coordinator assigns a Stephen Minister to meet on a regular basis with the person. Male Stephen Ministers are assigned to male care receivers, and female Stephen Ministers are assigned to female care receivers.
5 The Stephen Minister continues to provide distinctively Christian care for the person with strict confidentiality.
August 2008 will mark the 29th Anniversary of the establishment of Stephen Ministry in our Congregation. Since the beginning, hundreds of people have received ministry through the Distinctively Christian Care Giving approach upon which Stephen Ministry is based.
New Stephen Ministry Training Class in Fall 2008. Are you called to be trained as a Stephen Minister? Please prayerfully consider becoming a part of this wonderful caring ministry. Contact: Deb Johnson or Becky Montgomery.
To Whom Do Stephen Ministers Provide Care?
Stephen Ministry helps meet the needs of individuals who are hospitalized, terminally ill, bereaved, in a job crisis, new members of the church, disabled, homebound, lonely, in spiritual crisis, or looking for a caring, Christian friend.
Stephen Ministry's approach is a highly structured system for providing well-trained lay ministry of Christian care giving to those people facing challenging life circumstances, those who have special needs for God's healing love.
The Stephen Ministry system, under the leadership of the pastoral staff and a cadre of specially trained Stephen Leaders, is regularly evaluated for effectiveness and adherence to the requirements of the Stephen Ministry organization in St. Louis. All Stephen Ministers have successfully completed a 50-hour training program and meet regularly for continuing education and peer supervision.
Continuing education is open to all congregation members.
Click on "Continuing Education" to the left to see our presenters & topics for Spring 2007
Stephen Ministers establish a one-on-one confidential relationship with those needing support, by listening actively and helping the "care receiver" understand his or her situation better.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is one of the cornerstones of Stephen Ministry. Conversations between Stephen Ministers and individuals are private.
How Does the Referrals Process Work?
1 A person, either you, a relative, or a friend, is hurting and in need of Christian care.
2 The Stephen Ministry Referrals Coordinator learns about this need for care from the pastors, the person, a friend, or from personal observation. It is best for the pastor or the friend to obtain permission before speaking with the referrals coordinator.
3 The Referrals Coordinator contacts the person to talk about Stephen Ministry.
4 With the person's permission, the Referrals Coordinator assigns a Stephen Minister to meet on a regular basis with the person. Male Stephen Ministers are assigned to male care receivers, and female Stephen Ministers are assigned to female care receivers.
5 The Stephen Minister continues to provide distinctively Christian care for the person with strict confidentiality.
Make a Referral
Referrals coordinators are lay leaders who have completed a Stephen Series Leader's Training Course and are a part of a larger team of Stephen Leaders at St. Martin's who work together overseeing different aspects of Stephen Ministry.
To make a referral, contact one of our referrals coordinators at St. Martin's.
Bunny Oliver
301-4753
boliver80@aol.com
Terry Adcock
282-7656
terryadcock@hotmail.com
To make a referral, contact one of our referrals coordinators at St. Martin's.
Bunny Oliver
301-4753
boliver80@aol.com
Terry Adcock
282-7656
terryadcock@hotmail.com
How to Become a Stephen Minister
New Stephen Ministry Training Class in Fall 2008. Are you called to be trained as a Stephen Minister? Please prayerfully consider becoming a part of this wonderful caring ministry. Contact: Deb Johnson or Becky Montgomery or the church office at 476-6757.
When a new training class is formed, you will fill out an application and meet with a Stephen Leader to learn about the program in greater detail and discuss your interest in becoming a Stephen Minister.
The training topics - essentially Practical Theology - include:
In addition to the 50 hours of training, a Stephen Minister agrees to be available to participate in two years of service, which includes attending monthly meetings. The monthly meetings offer continuing education covering a variety of related subjects and peer supervision.
When a new training class is formed, you will fill out an application and meet with a Stephen Leader to learn about the program in greater detail and discuss your interest in becoming a Stephen Minister.
The training topics - essentially Practical Theology - include:
- The Art of Listening
- Confidentiality
- Ministry to the Dying, the Depressed, Older Persons, and the Grieving
- Process versus Results in Caregiving
- Providing Spiritual Care
In addition to the 50 hours of training, a Stephen Minister agrees to be available to participate in two years of service, which includes attending monthly meetings. The monthly meetings offer continuing education covering a variety of related subjects and peer supervision.
Continuing Ed 2007-08
Everyone is welcome to attend Stephen Ministry Continuing Ed!
Meetings are held in the church parlor from 6:45 - 8:00 pm.
Refreshments are served at 6:45, and the meetings begin at 7:00.
September 25, 2007
Pastor Craig Sommer: "Yes, With the Help of God"
Roger Temme of the Care Communities follows with a presentation.
October 23, 2007
Jane Fulgham, Medical Social Worker and Vice President for Patient Services for the American Cancer Society, will speak about cancer. She is in charge of the Cancer Information Center in Austin. Dan Ingram was our scheduled speaker but could not make it this evening.
November 27, 2007
Dr. Helen D. Just, Asst. Prof. Psychology, St. Edward's University: "The Healthy Formation of Step-Families"
January 22, 2008
Pam Johnston, Ph.D. will speak about bi-polar disease.
February 26, 2008
Topic: Chronic pain and its management
March 25, 2008
Ann Wall and friend will speak about Al-Anon.
April 22, 2008
Kirk VanLaningham, Licensed Professional Counselor: "Understanding Male Anger"
Meetings are held in the church parlor from 6:45 - 8:00 pm.
Refreshments are served at 6:45, and the meetings begin at 7:00.
September 25, 2007
Pastor Craig Sommer: "Yes, With the Help of God"
Roger Temme of the Care Communities follows with a presentation.
October 23, 2007
Jane Fulgham, Medical Social Worker and Vice President for Patient Services for the American Cancer Society, will speak about cancer. She is in charge of the Cancer Information Center in Austin. Dan Ingram was our scheduled speaker but could not make it this evening.
November 27, 2007
Dr. Helen D. Just, Asst. Prof. Psychology, St. Edward's University: "The Healthy Formation of Step-Families"
January 22, 2008
Pam Johnston, Ph.D. will speak about bi-polar disease.
February 26, 2008
Topic: Chronic pain and its management
March 25, 2008
Ann Wall and friend will speak about Al-Anon.
April 22, 2008
Kirk VanLaningham, Licensed Professional Counselor: "Understanding Male Anger"
