Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Stephen's Ministry

So, in October I'll begin training as a Stephen's Minister, What is a Steven's minister you ask? According to their web site

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 for as long as people need it.


Unfortunately I have to attend the training at a different church, but as soon as I feel comfortable, I'm going to start the ministry in full at my church. Exciting!

I've been dealing with a lot of heavy feelings regarding birth mothers and how much I really do want to help them, I spoke to my Adoption Counselor about it, and she encouraged me to take the Stephen's training since I wanted to do it anyway. She also told me that after a few years of experience with the ministry I might be eligible to work as a crisis counselor with Bethany or even Lifechoices. Which would be AMAZING! I may have to go back to college to get a bachelors, and the one that I found at the local college is a Bachelor of Arts in Community Psychology, the course description and directives look like something that might be applicable along with the Stephen's training.

I'm going to pray about the College part, God will open the doors if it is His plan, but for now I'm starting with the Stephen's training.

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5 comments:

Jamie said...

sounds wonderful :) and something to really look forward to. you certainly have the gift of an optimistic spirit and soooo many people will benefit from your wonderful heart. :)

Kel said...

I'm really excited about it! Hopefully I can be useful!
Love to you and Milo!
Kel

H said...

I've always thought it would be so cool to volunteer at our agency once we are placed...before that I'm assuming they wouldn't want a waiting family there every day bugging them about profiles:) Sounds awesome!

Kel said...

I talked to Becky about doing some other things in their office when we were done with our "Stuff" and she was like "Why wait!" so apparently the weirdness is more on our end than theirs!

sarah @ life {sweet} life said...

That is awesome! What a neat ministry. You will touch so many lives through this! :)