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Stephen Ministry

Covenant is a Stephen Ministry church. Stephen Ministry is Christ caring for people through people. If you are going through a difficult time, consider having a Stephen Minister. If you know someone who is facing difficulties, suggest that they request Stephen Ministry.

What is Stephen Ministry?

Stephen Ministry is program of our congregation that equips lay persons to provide distinctively Christian one-on-one care, confidentially, to anyone in our community who is experiencing all sorts of life needs and circumstances.

Why the name "Stephen"?

Stephen Ministry is a nationwide program named after Stephen, the first of the deacons in the early church, commissioned by the apostles to provide care and comfort for the needs of the people in the Christian community. Today at Covenant and around the world, volunteer lay ministers who have completed intensive training and participate in on-going training, provide confidential, caring ministry to those experiencing a wide range of life needs or crises.

Who Benefits from Stephen Ministry?

People who need care:

  • Receive quality, Christ-centered, confidential care for their hurts and needs
  • Find hope, healing, and a new sense of self-worth through the support of a Stephen Minister
  • Know they are remembered and supported by their congregation in times of personal difficulty
  • Receive ongoing care for continuing needs long after the onset of a crisis
  • Grow in a deeper relationship with their Lord as they experience God's unconditional love for them through their Stephen Minister

Our lay people:

  • Discover, cultivate, and use the spiritual gifts they have been blessed with
  • See themselves as active partners in the mission and ministry of the church
  • Find all aspects of their lives enriched by the distinctively Christian caregiving skills they learn and practice
  • Experience great joy as they see God working through them to bring hope and healing to a hurting person
  • Grow spiritually as they experience the Lord's loving presence in community with other Christian caregivers

Who is a Stephen Minister?

Stephen Ministers are dedicated lay people who

  • Provide one-on-one caring, in-depth ministry to others in time of need
  • Extend the hand of Christian friendship
  • Visit weekly, or as needed
  • Care enough to commit to a caring relationship as long as the need exists
  • Listen actively and keep confidentiality
  • Encourage a care receiver to take positive steps
  • Have received intensive training in helping share another's burdens

What training do Stephen Ministers have?

Stephen Ministers receive 50 hours of intensive training which includes:

  • How to listen
  • How to deal with feelings
  • How to be professional
  • How to express honesty, warmth and care
  • How to help in time of crisis
  • How to minister to those dealing with grief, divorce, death, depression, illness, loss of job and many other areas

Am I assured of confidentiality?

Confidentiality is the basis of all Stephen Ministry relationships. Anyone receiving care can be assured that his or her identity – and what is shared in a caring relationship – will remain private.

What are some examples of problems that Stephen Ministers deal with?

  • Hospitalization
  • Declining health, disability or terminal illness
  • Illness of a loved one
  • The death of a loved one
  • Divorce or separation from spouse
  • Severe financial setback
  • Difficulties associated with aging
  • Family or domestic problems
  • Isolation
  • Loneliness

How do I get a Stephen Minster?

Simply visit or call Covenant United Methodist Church at 334-793-4440. You may speak to Rev. Kyle Gatlin, our Associate Pastor.

All contacts are made only with the person's permission.

Rev. Gatlin will meet with the person, explain how the Stephen Ministry works and then assign a Stephen Minister to meet on a weekly or as-needed basis with the person. The Stephen Minster continues to provide distinctively Christian care for the person in strict confidentiality.

How do I become a Stephen Minister?

Covenant offers the 50 hours of formal Stephen Ministry training beginning in September of each year. Our Stephen Ministers training classes meet at several different times during the week to accommodate the work and family schedules of our members. During the weekly training classes, we study listening skills and assertiveness, as well as how best to minister to someone with a particular need. Following the 50 hours of training, Stephen Ministers attend peer supervision sessions for continuing education from our Stephen Leaders and encouragement from other Stephen Ministers.

Any person wanting to become a Stephen Minister needs only to have the desire to serve God by helping his fellow man.

How can I support Stephen Ministry?

  • Pray for our Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers as they provide Christian care for others.
  • Pray for all who are receiving confidential care through our Stephen Ministry.
  • Tell others in our community about the availability of Covenant's Stephen Ministry and the care it can provide.
  • Consider serving as a Stephen Minister.

Where can I go to learn more about Stephen Ministry?

To learn more about Stephen Ministries in general, outside of Covenant UMC, please click here.

Contact Kyle Gatlin for additional information kyle@covenantdothan.org.

 

 

stephen ministry

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Contact: Kyle Gatlin
kyle@covenantdothan.org

Learn more about Stephen Ministries