Stephen Ministry
| One-to-one compassionate support in Christ’s name during times of crisis, transition, and chronic circumstances. We are a ministry of listening. "Love one another ... as I have loved you." John 13:34 | |  |
| Upcoming Events Training begins ... January 15, 2013 Tuesdays from 6:30-9:00 pm at NewSong Information Meetings November 27, 2012 7-9:30 pm in Claremont December 9, 2012 11:45 am at NewSong January 6, 2013 11:45 am at NewSong -------------------------------- To sign up for any of these events contact Shan at shansocha@mail.com |
To speak with someone about Stephen Ministry, or about joining our care giving team, contact:
| | Shan Socha ShanSocha@mail.com 909-659-4791 | Doug Socha DougSocha@yahoo.com 909-659-4790 |
What is Stephen Ministry?
| | Stephen
Ministry equips NewSong's people to provide distinctively Christian,
one-to-one care to those in our congregation or community who are going
through a difficult time and in need of support. |
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
"Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2
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 Christian care,
- Deepen their relationship with the Lord,
- Grow in their desire to participate in Christian community,
- Come to value ministry from another lay person.
Stephen Ministry enhances NewSong's outreach by …
- Creating a caring 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.
"Encourage one another and build one another up." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
How You Can Support NewSong’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.
- Receive Stephen Ministry support when you are in need of Christian care.
Confidentiality is a core value of Stephen Ministry, and that includes the preliminary communications as you explore this program. Any conversations with a Stephen Leader or Stephen Minister will be treated with respect and privacy.
How soon can I have a Stephen Minister?
Although space is limited, those who have been accepted into the program will be on a waiting list if a Stephen Minister isn’t available right away. The plan is to continue to grow the ministry so that more Stephen Ministers will be available.
What situations are appropriate for Stephen Ministry?
A Stephen Leader will discern with you whether Stephen Ministry is a good fit for your situation.
Many situations are appropriate for Stephen Ministry. Some are listed above, but this list is by no means comprehensive. Anyone who is feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges- physical, emotional, or spiritual- may be a candidate for Stephen Ministry. There are exceptions, as follows…
What is not appropriate for Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministers are not counselors or trained professionals. In cases of abuse, suicidal thoughts, homicidal thoughts, mental illness and moderate or severe depression, it is recommended that you seek help from a trained professional. In some cases, where a professional gives consent, a Stephen Minister may be utilized as part of a patient’s support system.
Stephen Ministry should not take the place of a supportive community such as a LifeGroup. It is relationship for a season, designed to help someone who is going through a tough time and who is in need of a more support than a typical community can give. In fact, often Stephen Ministers encourage care receivers to broaden their support network.
How do I start?
You can contact a Stephen Leader to discuss whether a Stephen Minister relationship is right for you.
|
Doug Socha DougSocha@yahoo.com (909) 659-4790
|
Shan Socha ShanSocha@mail.com (909) 659-4791
|
Connie Lannom (909) 394-9488 ext.202 |
A word from past care receivers about their Stephen Ministry experience ...
“As a single parent facing many challenges it is so encouraging to have my Stephen Minister call me and meet with me on a regular basis to listen, pray, encourage and share her observations with me. The power of an adult Christian woman focused on my needs for about an hour a week is a huge dose of good medicine to keep on doing what I have to do. Asking for a Stephen Minister is one of the best things I have done for myself and those I care for.” ~ a female Care Receiver
Hear what NewSong's Stephen Ministers are saying....
“My Stephen Ministry training classes, members and teachers mean a great deal to me. I have really bonded with the people in my class, and feel like I am a part of the body of Christ. Each person … has great insight as a Stephen Minister in training. I am learning so much from each one.
I have become more assertive in my every day life because of my training. I am also communicating better in my marriage, and using tools to resolve conflict. I am loving my husband more and seeing him in a different light. I am listening more and having a new understanding. I believe this is all from being in the Stephen Ministry training program … . I am so exited to learn all these skills as a Stephen Minister and to be able to help others.” ~ Barbara Carter
“
The Stephen Series is a complete system for training and organizing lay people to provide one-to-one Christian care to hurting people in and around your congregation.
The Stephen Series provides congregations with the structure, training, and resources to set up and administer a complete system for lay caring ministry (called Stephen Ministry) in the congregation. In Stephen Ministry congregations, lay caregivers (called Stephen Ministers) provide one-to-one Christian care to the bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated, divorced, unemployed, relocated, and others facing a crisis or life challenge. Stephen Ministry helps pastors and congregations provide quality caring ministry during those times when people really need it.
Stephen Ministry featured on PBS:
History, Facts and Statistics: click here
Stephen Ministry website: www.StephenMinistries.org
| | “Stephen Ministry is one of the best training and ministry programs we have at NewSong. The training empowers us with biblical wisdom to fulfill the charge of Ephesians 4 as the Apostle Paul instructs the church to ‘prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.’ The equipping I personally received in ministering to people in crisis, grief, loss and walking through the ‘valley of darkness’ is invaluable to me personally and professionally. I highly commend this opportunity to learn the ministry skills that Jesus will use to comfort, console and cultivate many in our community and beyond.” |
Lead Pastor
NewSong Church
Commissioning of new Stephen Ministers November 2012
Stephen Minister Training January 15 through May, 2013
When: Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9:00 pm
Where: NewSong Church- specific location TBA
Cost: $55.00 for materials.