Warren's Wanderings/Wonderings

August 9, 2007

The Kirk has a very strong Stephen Ministry. Stephen Ministry is a ministry where trained lay people walk alongside folk who need a listening ear and a caring heart when going through some difficulty. I spent last week in Pittsburgh training to be a Stephen Leader at the Kirk. Once again, I discovered the value of Stephen Ministry.

One of the statements made in the training that particularly impressed me was "Stephen Ministry is not just for those who might feel weak and in need of strength, but for the strong who might need additional strength." Stephen Ministers assist folks in the Kirk and beyond who probably would or could get through a crisis on their own, but who find it helpful to have another person to add strength to their own as they walk down a troubling road or carry a heavy load.

Stephen Ministers listen more than they talk, comfort more than give counsel, bring hopeful prayer more than advice and other healing affirmation to folk needing both. Hopefully, they bring the grace of God through their presence.

When trying to decide whether you might benefit by having a Stephen Minister, ask yourself if you could use another Christian to add strength to your own strength, to give support when you feel fragile, to pray with and for you as you pray.

If so, please use this ministry that the Kirk provides. Contact any of the pastors, any Stephen ministers, [wearing blue name-tags] or Kathy White who is the referral person for Stephen Ministry.

And, remember, Stephen Ministers are bound to absolute confidentiality.

Warren