Stephen Ministry

MVLC Stephen Ministry

This page was last modified on July 10, 2011

The Stephen Ministry Symbol

The Symbol for Stephen Ministry is a cross and circle along with a broken person and a whole person. The broken person behind the cross symbolizes the brokenness in our lives due to our sin and imperfections. The whole person in front of the cross symbolizes the wholeness we can only receive through the cross of Jesus. The circle symbolizes both the wholeness we receive through Christ and the God’s unending love for us.

If you, or someone you know could benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister, please give us a call: (480) 982-8266

Our Stephen Ministers are ready to care for you!

What's the Pastor's Role?

Pastor will always be the primary caregiver, but there is no way pastors can meet all of the needs for care. God has called all of us, not just pastors, to minister to one another. Stephen Ministry multiplies ministry by turning pastors into equipper, so they can enable lay people to provide caring ministry as well.

What Do Stephen Ministers Do?
Stephen Ministers are caring Christian friends who listen, understand, accept, and pray for and with care receivers who are working through a crisis or a tough time.

How can Someone Become a Stephen Minister?
Begin by talking to one of our Stephen Leaders or Stephen Ministers and they can tell you more. A new training class will begin December 6th. Please pick up an application in the Narthex on the Welcome table and return it to Barb Lembke.

What a wonder the Lord God performs! He always brings just the right people to the Stephen Ministry to be vessels used of him to care for His people. It is an awesome pleasure to watch Him nudge specific people to serve in this ministry. As MVLC is preparing to recruit trainees for the new Stephen Ministry training classes, it is with holy anticipation that we await whom the Lord brings to us this year. Are you one of those special people?
Recruiting begins September 9th with weekly bulletin inserts. A skit is again in the offering for November. Pastor will also address the need to care for God’s people in a sermon or two. If the Holy Spirit is beginning to tap you on the shoulder, pick up and application in the narthex on the Welcome Table and return it to Barb Lembke no later than November 18th. Jesus said to give and it shall be given to you, full measure, pressed down and running over. How true it is that a ministering Stephen Minister receives so much more than he or she gives.
Training classes are scheduled for the following Thursdays: December 6th and 13th; January 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st; February 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th; and March 6th. The time of day is to be determined according to applicants’ availability. New trainees will be commissioned March 15th and 16th at each of our week-end services. The cost of books and materials for the training is $50. Questions? Contact one of our Stephen Leaders: Barb at 480.474.9109, Betty at 480.380.4131, Norita at 480.982.7698, or Pastor at 480.982.8266.

Our congregation’s Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties in their lives. Stephen leaders will train you to give that care. Training consists of a fun fifty hours over ten weeks in five hour sessions each. The books for training cost $52.00. Trainees commit to serve for two years and attend facilitation meetings two times per month.
Applications are available in the Narthex on the welcome table and are due to Barb Lembke by November 18th.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” ~ Galatians 6:2

Stephen Ministry training is actually a fun, learning, time of camaraderie and growing fellowship in the love of Jesus. Note that this is the last weekend to turn in applications for Stephen Ministry training. May God bless your decision and grow you in ministry for Him. It is so gratifying to be used as a vessel through whom our blessed Lord Jesus Christ can love His hurting people. Place filled out applications in Barb Lembke’s box.

If you would like to discuss your possible participation, contact Pastor Mark at 982-8266 or Barb Lembke at 474-9109.

PRAYER FOR STEPHEN LEADERS AND STEPHEN MINISTERS

Lord, through all our days you are with us, rejoicing in our joys, sharing in our sorrows, giving us the strength we need to face our challenges and bear our burdens. Today we ask your special care for our Stephen Leaders abd Stephen Ministers.

Rejoice with them in their success as they bring your care and touch the lives of your people. Stand beside them in the challenging times as well, filling them with your courage when the road seems to stretch out endlessly without hope or promise. Keep them faithful to you and to their ministry.

In Jesus' name we pray.

Amen

What is Stephen Ministry?
One-to-One Ministry by Trained, caring Lay Ministers who have responded to Christ’s call to “carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ”. Galatians 6:2

What is a Stephen Minister?
A Stephen Minister is . . .
* A child of God who walks beside a hurting person
* A caring Christian friend who really listens
* A lay person who has received 50 hours of training in how to provide
Distinctively Christian care
A Stephen Minister is NOT . . .
* A counselor or therapist
* A problem solver
* A casual visitor

How can you be involved?
* Pray for our Stephen Ministers
* Help us stay sensitive to those who need caring support
* Help make others aware of the support system that is available
* Consider God’s direction as to whether you should become a
Stephen Minister

Stephen Ministry applications are on the welcome table in the Narthex. Please complete and turn in to Barb Lembke by November 11th, if you are interested.

Contact Persons: Pastor Mark Friedrich (480) 982-8266
Barb Lembke (480) 474-9109

What Does a Stephan Minister do?

Listens ~ Encourages ~ Keep Confidence ~ Prays ~ Supports ~ Walks beside a hurting person

Stephan Ministers are committed Christians who…

+Receive extensive training In care giving skills

+Visit another person regularly

+Are committed to Confidentiality

+Listen to your concerns

Stephan Ministers are NOT…

*Counselors

*Therapists

*Problem Solvers

*Casual Visitors

“How Do I Get Started with a Stephen Minister?”
If you would like to start building a relationship with someone who is committed to providing Christian support and care, or if you would like to know more about our church’s Stephen Ministry program, please call Pastor Mark 982-8266 or one of our Stephen Leaders: Barb Lembke 474-9109, Betty Leigh 380-4134, or Norita Yost 982-7698.

In either case, your reaching out for distinctively Christian one-on-one care will be taken seriously, and your call will be kept confidential.

MVLC humbly prides itself on being a Stephen Ministry congregation. As followers of Christ, it is our duty and our responsibility to help our brothers and sisters in need. We need to be there for you. We await your call.

“Encourage one another and build one another up.”
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Testimonies

“As a physician, I have observed many times the positive effect of a simple gesture of concern for a patient’s well-being. The greatest gesture is that of a Stephen Minister being able to place his hand on a care receiver’s shoulder and say, ‘May God bless you!’”
~ Ben from Raleigh, North Carolina
Physician

“I am a retired Navy pilot who recently attended the NCAAA Final Four Basketball Tournament. These things pale in comparison to the everlasting importance of helping others as a Stephen Minister. The Holy Spirit has allowed me to become a better listener and I have been able to reach out to others because of what Jesus did for me. I am indeed blessed!”
~ Jim from Virginia Beach, Virginia
Retired naval captain and now active in volunteer ministries

“Compassion, caring, confidence, trust, and a willingness to listen — these are al qualities an individual can use in all walks of life. The skills I have acquired as a Stephen Minister have been extremely valuable to me as a father, husband, employee, friend, neighbor, and yes, as a Stephen Minister.”
~ Bill from Plano, Texas
Real estate

Stephen Ministry applications are on the welcome table in the Narthex. Please complete and turn in to Barb Lembke by November 11th, if you are interested.

Contact Persons: Pastor Mark Friedrich (480) 982-8266
Barb Lembke (480) 474-9109

If you would like to discuss your possible participation, contact Pastor Mark at 982-8266 or Barb Lembke at 474-9109.

Mountain View Lutheran Church Apache Junction, AZ

"We seek the lost, share the word, and serve Christ."