Bethlehem United Methodist Church
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Reach, Teach and Love

Stephen Ministries

 
Christ Caring for People through People

  

Our Stephen Ministry program equips lay persons to provide distinctively Christian, one-to-one confidential care to anyone in our congregation or community who is going through a difficult time and in need of support from a Christian friend.
 
Stephen Ministry - Meeting the Needs of People
 
There are times when each of us needs the care of another person...a Christian friend...a Stephen Minister.  If you are dealing with any of the following challenges in your life, please contact us so that we can help:
 
  • Hospitalized
  • Terminally ill and their families
  • Moving into or out of our community
  • Grieving a death or serious loss
  • Homebound and institutionalized
  • Prisoners, ex-offenders and their families
  • In job crisis
  • Aging and elderly
  • Disabled (and their families)
  • Needing the support of a Christian friend
  • Facing life transitions
  • Separated or divorced
  • Experiencing birth or adoption In spiritual crisis
 
Stephen Ministry Multiplies Our Christian Care Giving And Outreach
 
Our Stephen Ministers work together with our pastors to reach more people with Christian care than pastors can by themselves. People who receive care from a Stephen Minister:
  • Receive quality confidential Christian care,
  • Deepen their relationship with their Lord,
  • Grow in their desire to participate in Christian community,
  • Come to value confidential ministry from another lay person, while continuing contact with the pastor.
Stephen Ministry enhances outreach by:
  • Creating a caring confidential ministry outreach, where many are offering God's love and care in intentional, systematic ways;
  • Enabling our entire congregation to grow as a warm, loving, nurturing community, where people are cherished and cared for in Jesus Christ;
  • Identifying our congregation to our community as a place where people's needs are taken seriously in a confidential environment.
About the Leaders of Our Congregation's Stephen Ministry
 
Stephen Leaders are pastors, church staff, and volunteers who have completed Stephen Series Leader's Training, and are commissioned by our congregation.
 
How You Can Support Our Congregation's Stephen Ministry
  • Pray for our Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers as they provide Christian care to others.
  • Pray for all who are receiving confidential care through the Stephen Ministry .
  • Tell Stephen Leaders about those who might benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister. Be sure to get that person's permission first.
  • Tell others in our community about the availability of BUMC's Stephen Ministry, and the care it can provide.
  • Receive Stephen Ministry support when you are in need of Christian care.
  • Become a Stephen Minister
 

 

For more information on receiving help or on being trained to serve in this ministry, please contact Pastor David Lord at  (540-297-7957). To learn more about the Steven Ministry program please visit their www.stephenministries.org.