Have you ever had a time in your life, when you felt like the world was against you?\u00a0 Maybe you lost a job, went through a divorce, lost a parent, became an empty nester or just felt like nothing was right in your life.<\/p>\n
I have seen a counselor in my day. There is nothing wrong with that.\u00a0 We all need a specialist sometimes.\u00a0 Seminary was a big one for sure. I\u2019ve even had to go on antidepressants, until I could get my life straightened out.\u00a0 That was okay too.\u00a0 However, sometimes, our care doesn\u2019t warrant that type of assistance.<\/p>\n
I know I have felt that way. You have close friends and family, but you can tell, they might be getting tired of hearing about your problems. Or they are constantly offering advice.\u00a0 You know the kind I\u2019m talking about. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s been six months, time to move on.\u201d\u00a0 \u201cYou did your best, it\u2019s in the past.\u201d\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve got a friend I\u2019d like you to meet.\u201d\u00a0 Or the dreaded, \u201cGod has a plan in all this.\u201d\u00a0 I want to offer this little nugget; \u201cXXXXX is living because Christ has given her a gift and a faith to survive. Her perseverance is nothing short of a miracle. I have been blessed to have her in my life. Such a will to go on. She has taught me in the time I have gotten to know her that if you believe in Christ, he will care for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The last statement, which is taken from a Facebook post recently, makes it sound as if, those who die, died because their faith wasn\u2019t good enough.\u00a0 Or maybe my own faith wasn\u2019t good enough. So, therefore, things that happen are because I am not faithful enough.<\/p>\n
My Goodness, I don\u2019t think that\u2019s what the good Lord was thinking.\u00a0 Do we forget to ask God for help or thank God for good and bad times?\u00a0 Yes we do. We are human.\u00a0 However that doesn\u2019t mean that out faith; or my faith isn\u2019t \u201cgood enough\u201d.<\/p>\n
With all that being said, this is where I would like to introduce you to the Stephen Ministry.\u00a0 The lay-person who takes on this role, doesn\u2019t pass judgement, make \u201cwacky\u201d statements, tell you to \u201cSuck it up\u201d, \u201cget over it\u201d, or \u201cmove on\u201d.\u00a0 The Stephen Minister will walk with you for as long as you need them.\u00a0 They pray with you and listen to you.<\/p>\n
These people go through 50 hours of training on how to listen, not gossip or pass advice. They listen and pray with you, help you sort out what you\u2019re feeling.\u00a0 They are trained to know when they can no longer handle the situation, and when to refer you to the professionals.\u00a0 They are held to a very high standard of confidentiality too!\u00a0 Can you honestly say that about others in your life?\u00a0 Maybe you can, and if so you\u2019re a very lucky person.\u00a0 Will that same person get \u201ctired\u201d of your \u201cwhining\u201d and break confidentiality?\u00a0 You know that friend may need to talk to someone too. They might even whine and complain about you.<\/p>\n
Stephen Ministers meet with Supervisors who help them walk through how they are helping you. Names and specifics are not shared at any time either. They meet so they can make sure they don\u2019t tell you those things you don\u2019t need or want to hear. They check in to make sure they are not crossing a line, or \u00a0setting inappropriate\u00a0boundaries. What\u2019s even nicer, is that women are paired with women and men with men.<\/p>\n
I wanted to be a Stephen Minister, when I heard about the program a few years back. I truly believed I was being called to be a Stephen Minister. I just couldn\u2019t find a congregation with a program after we moved.\u00a0 Nor was I able to provide the commitment they were looking for, when I did find one.<\/p>\n
Now that we are in a new congregation, there is a new opportunity to introduce Stephen Ministries to our congregation and the surrounding community.<\/p>\n
Although very overwhelmed in the beginning, I believe I am not called to be a Stephen Minister. I am called to be a Stephen Minister Leader.\u00a0 50 hours of intense training myself, with a group of close to 400 people all there for one purpose. Different denominations that just want to care for the people, in a Christ like manor. The way Jesus tried to take care of the people.\u00a0 I like the idea that Stephen Ministers are like Jesus with skin on.\u00a0 No they cannot do miracles, they are not Jesus. They are people who are just there for you.<\/p>\n
They do however share of love of God, and treating people in a caring and loving way. Galatians 6:1-3 says it best:<\/p>\n
The Voice (VOICE)<\/p>\n
6 My spiritual brothers and sisters, if one of our faithful has fallen into a trap and is snared by sin, don\u2019t stand idle and watch his demise. Gently restore him, being careful not to step into your own snare. 2 Shoulder each other\u2019s burdens, and then you will live as the law of the Anointed teaches us. 3 Don\u2019t take this opportunity to think you are better than those who slip because you aren\u2019t; then you become the fool and deceive even yourself.<\/p>\n
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If you are interested in more information about the Stephen Ministry, you will find the web address below.\u00a0 There may even be Stephen Ministers in your congregation or community. If not maybe you can speak with your church leaders and start a Stephen Ministry program.\u00a0 If you have questions, please ask me.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.stephenministries.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n Stephen Ministry: \u00a0Christ Caring For People, Through People.<\/p>\n Bear one another\u2019s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2, NRSV).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Have you ever had a time in your life, when you felt like the world was against you?\u00a0 Maybe you lost a job, went through a divorce, lost a parent, became an empty nester or just felt like nothing was … Continue reading