Stephen Ministry

Christian caring for the support of those in need

2010-2011 UPDATE:
Congregations across America are reporting to the Stephen Ministry organization in Saint Louis that their Stephen Ministers are in greater demand than ever before. This is certainly true at Cookeville FUMC. Your Stephen Ministries are here to support you in providing that much-needed ministry where crisis and life changes create challenges in everyday life. Problems and the obstacles associated with them just happen. If you have any questions, need help discerning your own needs, or would just like to talk, please get in touch with a Stephen Leader or call Drew Shelly at 526-2177. Your current and active Stephen Leaders are: Beth Mannle, Barbara Tolleson, Ginny Smith and Pam Edenfiled. Our Stephen Ministry coordinator is Beth Mannle. Life's difficulties are challenging but you do not need to go it alone! Christ's blessings may be found in a listening ear of a Stephen Minister. A Stephen Minister is ready to to talk with you. Contact your Stephen Ministries at Cookeville FUMC.

What is the Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministry video clip featured on PBS

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In the year 2002 the Stephen Ministry of Cookeville First United Methodist Church (FUMC) was created by church leaders and the congregation. Since that time, the Stephen Ministry has trained and prepared men and women to become Stephen Ministers in their church and community. Your Stephen Ministry at Cookeville FUMC has served scores of people in the church and community. The quality and depth of spiritual life has improved for many as a direct result of the Stephen Ministry’s emphasis on service. They are dedicated servants intensively trained and outfitted with the Christian tools necessary to care for those alone and in need of a friend’s guidance and care. Stephen Ministers are attentive and caring listeners who are confidential companions in their service to those who need a friend. The Stephen Ministry is sustained by the ministers, the congregation and the community not only in their encouragement but in their gifts and referrals to the Stephens Ministry. The Stephen Ministry embraces the belief that burdens should not be carried alone.

THE STEPHEN MINISTER’S FOCUS

Serving those who are:

• Grieving the loss of a loved one
• Encountering financial challenges
• Experiencing obstacles related to disabilities and unemployment
• Hospitalized
• Shut in
• Experiencing spiritual uncertainties
• Facing terminal illness
• Experiencing marital & parenting difficulties
• Trapped by drug and & alcohol abuse
• Depressed and without hope
• Institutionalized
• Crisis related to relationships
• Isolated

WHO IS A STEPHEN MINISTER?

• Intensively trained and prepared to serve those in need
• A giving and active Christian
• A person possessing a strong desire to serve others
• A caring servant
• A person aware of helping resources available to the care receiver
• A loyal care giver who is discreet and confidential within the care giving relationship
• A servant with the support and resources of other ministers and leaders

MORE ABOUT YOU STEPHEN MINISTRY PROGRAM AT COOKEVILLE FUMC

The name Stephen comes from the New Testament Book of Acts depicting the servant Stephen as a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit caring for the needs of the community.

The Stephen Ministry belongs to you, to your church and the body of Christ. You support the Stephen Ministry by your gifts, your presents and the keen awareness of need. Without you, the Stephen Ministry would not be an integral part of Cookeville FUMC nor spiritually impact peoples’ lives.

The foundation of the Stephen Ministry is rooted in the Christian belief that we should bear one another’s trials and tribulations.

Your Stephen Ministry has been established to be a complement to regular care offered by the Church. It does not take the place of our ministers or other professionals in the community such as counselors and physicians.

A Stephen Minister is paired with another person who is in need of Christian care. The Stephen minister partners with the person who may be grieving, out of work, ill or hurt by life’s many challenges.

The Stephen Ministry is reliant largely on members of the congregation and community to alert pastors, Stephen Leaders and Ministers of individuals who may need a Stephen Minister. The Stephen Ministry is not an island unto itself but servants of the church and the community representing the love of Christ. The Ministry is dependent upon your active involvement.

OK, HOW DO I MAKE A REFERRAL?

Making a referral can be initiated and completed in a variety of ways; a phone call, a passing comment to a pastor, Stephen Leader, church office staff, Stephen Minister, the completion of a pew referral card placed in the offering plate or a simple note on a scrap sheet of paper. A referral is your way of serving and reaching out to ensure that a friend, relative, fellow church member or a complete stranger receives the care they may need. Your referral and the Stephen Ministry outreach will be kept confidential.
A self referral is also a common way to refer to the Stephen Ministry. Again, it is your Stephen Ministry and if you feel the need for support or guidance do not hesitates to refer yourself. There is no need to go it alone! Christ does not want us to go it alone. Call and refer yourself if you feel the need.

BEING COMFORTABLE REFERRING TO THE STEPHEN MINISTRY

The Stephen Ministry continues to serve congregants and the community by providing Christian care to those experiencing life challenges. As a church ministry, the Stephen Ministry belongs to each of us and as a result can be utilized by us as individuals. The Stephen Ministry as well as the other church ministries can act as special tools utilized as an available resource in your service to others. In the same way you would request prayer for a friend in need, the Stephen Ministry may be available to a friend that needs a listening ear. The Stephen Ministry is not solely for Stephen Ministers to provide Christian care. The Stephen Ministry is a servant resource for you to access for a friend with a crisis. Imagine for a moment that you have a neighbor in need. Their ability to cope is still in tact but they are hindered and troubled by one of life’s challenges. The hurt could be a divorce, a deteriorating physical condition, joblessness, disability, care giving demands, loss of a loved one and the list can go on. You may want to help this person but do not know how to reach out. There are easy and readily available options for you to consider and act upon. You may first want to contact Drew Shelley or a Stephen Leader/Minister and present the situation namelessly to determine if a Stephen Minister referral and contact is appropriate. It is as simple as telephone call, completing a Stephen Ministry pew card or an informal meeting at church or perhaps even a grocery store. Another option is to discuss your concern with the friend and encourage them to contact the Stephen Ministry. If the person in need of a listening ear happens to be you, the process is the same. The Stephen Ministry is a confidential Christian care ministry. Remember, the Stephen Ministry is your ministry and if you are interested in serving as a Stephen Minster or making a referral, do not hesitate to call Drew Shelley (526-2177).

WHO COMPRISES THE STEPHEN MINISTRY’S TEAM?