Stephen Ministries
Stephen Ministry At St Mark's United Methodist Church
A CARING MINISTRY OF PRESENCE
The old and new testaments emphasize community; the spiritual strength derived from association with other believers in our loving God. Christ demonstrated to us, by example and through his ministry, the importance of Christians turning their faith into action by being present for one another through all the joys and trials of life. The apostle Paul admonished the infant Church to share God's love with one another and to support one another through times of trial. The Stephen Ministry is one effort of our church to make these teachings part of our lives.
The Stephen Ministry is a ministry of presence. There are times in our lives when we need nothing so much as the presence and support of fellow Christians. It might be during a time of death or illness, the loss of a job, the loss of a loved one or the break-up of a marriage. Whatever the circumstances, in such times we need a tangible reminder that, whatever has happened, whatever we have done, or whatever we have experienced, God Loves us and is present in our lives. The theological and historic function of the Church, the Christian Community, is to be that presence. The Stephen Ministry brings a special dimension to that role by offering persons who have been specially trained to help people, on a confidential basis, through times of crisis. A Stephen Minister offers support not as a professional counselor or therapist, but simply as a caring Christian.
If you would like to speak to someone about the Stephen Minister Program, on a confidential basis, contact Keith Cressman at 789-9033 or Jan Greve at 350-0959.
