First United Methodist Church of Orlando

Stephen Ministry

Stephen LogoStephen Ministry is an important part of the First United Methodist Church of Orlando's caring ministries. We began this ministry in 1993. During the years that have followed, 126 men and women have been trained as Stephen Ministers and 27 have been trained as Stephen Leaders.

Stephen Ministry equips lay persons to provide distinctively Christian one-to-one, confidential care to those in our congregation who are experiencing life crises.

Stephen Ministers are sometimes called "The After People" because Stephen Ministers are there....

  • After the divorce papers have been served and the bottom falls out of your life

  • After the last child leaves home and the house seems incredibly empty

  • After the doctors have said there is nothing more they can do

  • After the phone call you hoped you would never get

  • After the baby arrives and you feel more burdens than you ever dreamed

  • After the funeral and after the last casserole dish has been returned

  • After a job loss and an uncertain financial future looks you in the eye

Consider the following scripture references which serve as the basis of Stephen Ministry:

"Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Galatians 6:2

"Therefore encourage one another and build up each other."
1 Thessalonians 5:11

"Love one another as I have loved you."
John 13:34

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."
Romans 12:15

Stephen Ministers have vital roles in three areas of ministry:

  • The first is care giving. A Stephen Minister meets with a care receiver (men with men, women with women) on a regular basis, usually once each week, for about an hour.

  • The second is peer supervision. After 50 hours of initial training, each Stephen Minister meets for supervision and continuing education with other Stephen Ministers, Stephen Leaders and a Pastor twice a month. However, no confidential information is disclosed. Only the Pastors and the assigned Stephen Minister know the identity of those receiving care.

  • The third is prayer. Stephen Ministers are committed to pray for their care receiver and for the other Stephen Ministers in their supervision group.

Stephen Ministry is an international, trans-denominational Christian organization. If Stephen Imageyou want to know more, the Stephen Ministry home page can be reached through the following direct link: http://www.stephenministries.com/

If you are interested in learning more about Stephen Ministry at First United Methodist Church, whether to consider joining our next training class, to request a Stephen Minister, or to suggest a person who might benefit from having a Stephen Minister, please contact Rev. Rodney Wallace at 407-849-6080, ext. 123 or by secure email at rodney@fumc-orl.org

 

Think Stephen!

 

page updated April 30, 2006
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