by Bill Barbre, Stephen Minister
By definition a Stephen Minister is someone who:
1. participates in extensive initial training;
2. receives commissioning;
3. cares for a care receiver;
4. participates faithfully in supervision and continuing education;
5. stays connected to Jesus; and
6. serves as part of a larger team.
However, I would like to share with you, on a more personal level, what it means to me to be a Stephen Minister. During the 50 hours of initial training, I have learned that it must be Christ-centered in order for it to work the way it is intended. Stephen Ministry teaches a care giver to be Christ-centered, compassionate, full of faith, skilled and trustworthy.
In the beginning, I thought that I was Christ-centered and full of faith, but soon found out that I had overestimated myself in these two categories. All good works come from God. If my works or care for my care receiver are not Christ-centered, then they are of this world and will not help my care receiver. The cure or healing comes from the vine, which is Christ. With dedication, prayer, faith and support of group peer supervision, a Stephen Minister can learn to be the care giver and let God be the cure giver. I have learned that when I really care, I will listen and focus on feelings.
Prayer and the Holy Scriptures are very important tools of Stephen Ministry. In a caring relationship I need not be alone and it does not depend entirely on my abilities. In order to remind me that I must remain connected to Jesus, I have selected the following verses as my motto for Stephen Ministry: “Remain in me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5)
Stephen Ministry calls for commitment on the part of each participant. Each Stephen Minister needs every other Stephen Minister to fulfill his or her ministry effectively. We all need one another. We must be accountable and responsible to one another and the congregation, as well as supportive and encouraging to each other. It is my hope and prayer that we, the first class of Stephen Ministers, will be able to give the care receivers assigned to us the quality care that they need in Jesus’ name. I am confident that we will grow because of the unique perspective and personal gifts that any new people coming into our group will bring with them. I look forward to new members in our close-knit group.
I thank God for our Stephen Leaders, Judy Cregan and Ray Naney. I love and appreciate them and pray for them and I would like for you to pray for them too. Please pray for all of the Stephen Ministers also.
