Serve as a Stephen Minister
Stephen Ministers are people with a gift of compassion and desire to be the presence of Christ to a suffering person. The very best gift they offer is a heart full of understanding and ears ready to listen. Consider Stephen Ministry, a one-to-one care giving ministry.
The next training class to become a Stephen Minister will begin
January 2022. If you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister,
please contact Judi Cramer for an application.
TRAINING
Stephen Minister training teaches principles and skills that equip you to provide high-quality, Christ-centered emotional and spiritual care to others. Training takes place at Woodlake UMC and is led by Stephen Leaders over a 20-week period and includes a weekend retreat. Training is a combination of pre-class reading, devotions, lecture, video presentation, discussion, and skill practice.
GIVING CARE
As a Stephen Minister, you will never be assigned more than one person at a time and you will not meet with couples or minors. Care is also given gender to gender. A Stephen Leader meets initially with each potential care receiver, and, if it is determined during that process that the person is in need of professional help, he or she will be encouraged in that direction and not paired with a Stephen Minister.
SUPPORT
Once trained and commissioned all Stephen Ministers participate in supervisory meetings twice a month. These are designed to provide support to the Stephen Ministers. A facilitator leads the group, and it is during these meetings that the Stephen Ministers can share concerns, struggles, etc., and receive the answers and support they need, in addition to continuing education.
LENGTH OF SERVICE
We ask Stephen Ministers to serve for two years, which begins with the training classes. While you commit to serve two years, the number of care receivers you have during that time will vary depending upon need. The length of time you spend with a care receiver will vary. You may find one person needs to meet only a few times, while another may need to meet over a period of several months.
Stephen Ministry.
"Love one another as I have loved you." John 15:12
Woodlake Church has a large team of highly-trained Stephen Ministers ready to offer one-on-one crisis care. This care is designed to walk along-side you through crisis or loss, death of a loved one, job loss, relational issues, crisis of faith, etc. We are here as engaged listeners and desire to help guide you through this season.
Please consider this an investment in yourself. Contact Pastor Josh or call (804) 739-4535 x 8863 to be connected with the Stephen Minister best suited for your particular life challenge.
WHAT IS STEPHEN MINISTRY?
Stephen Ministry is a ministry of caring Stephen Ministers who are people in our congregation trained to listen and help others sort through their feelings.
STEPHEN MINISTERS ARE THE "AFTER" PEOPLE
After you find the pink slip in what's now your final paycheck, after the doctors have said there's nothing more they can do, after the relationship ends - that's when the Stephen Ministers step in.
WOMEN SERVING WOMEN, MEN SERVING MEN.
Male Stephen Ministers meet with men in need and femail Stephen Ministers meet with females in need. Stephen Ministers only meet with individuals.
ARE STEPHEN MINISTERS COUNSELORS?
Stephen Ministers are not counselors or therapists; rather they are caring Christian friends who offer a listening ear to help others through the tough times.
DO I SHARE MY
STEPHEN MINISTER?
Your Stephen Minister will never be assigned more than one person at a time. You may meet once or more. Your Stephen Minister will commit their ministry to you until your need for their help has passed.
CONFIDENTIALITY
IS KEY.
We cannot stress enough the importance that this program places on confidentiality. All Stephen Ministers are trained in this regard and we do all in our power to generate a system of trust.