Stephen Ministry is the one-to-one lay caring ministry that takes place in congregations that use the Stephen Series system. Stephen Ministry congregations equip and empower trained lay care givers, called Stephen Ministers, to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting. Confidentiality is a cornerstone of Stephen Ministry. We plant a seed of hope and walk alongside throughout the journey. It is God who brings about the healing. Among many issues it may be due to:
Grief before or after death
Divorce or separation
Recent job loss
Overwhelmed by being a care giver
Pre-natal or post-birth concerns, or serious surgery
Maybe a trained Stephen Minister by your side can help quiet your weary spirit. We are care givers at FBC who walk with you—the care receiver – listening prayerfully but not judging, in confidence, with empathy. In time, God, the Cure Giver will heal your broken spirit.
To receive the care of a FBC Cumming Stephen Minister, contact THE FBC Church Office | 770.887.2428
Stephen Ministry Leadership Team
Team Lead: Shelly Smith
Referrals: Gretchen Canterbury
What is Stephen Ministry?
Below is a brief synopsis about Stephen in the Bible and how it relates to the Stephen Ministry name.
In Acts 6, Stephen was chosen by the Apostles as the first of seven to help minister to the needs of the widows, who had no one to provide for their needs. This allowed the Apostles to continue to spread the lifesaving Gospel. The seven were to be men full of the Spirit and wisdom. The Apostles prayed and laid their hands on them.
In verse eight we read, “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Freedmen, who began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. 11 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, ‘We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.’…… 15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.”
After a great summary of their history of rejecting God’s Prophets and now the very Son of God, Stephen sees Jesus standing at the right hand of God. He is pleased with Stephen and is on His feet for Stephen’s obedience. Then Stephen is stoned to death and the witnesses lay their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Why is an outside, yet inside organization used? God seems to love organization. When God began creation, “the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep.” God took chaos and imposed order on it. He organized the day and night, kinds of plants and animals, etc. When Moses was led by the Spirit through the desert, Jethro was sent to help Moses organize a judicial system. When Jesus started His ministry, He organized the twelve disciples, sending them out in twos with a clear set of instructions. Stephen Ministry is a system of trained care givers matched with hurting care receivers.
Why do we need Stephen Ministers? Stephen demonstrates the practical way of how a congregation functions properly. Stephen Ministers are care givers to people who are experiencing painful or conflicting feelings as a result of a life crisis or challenge. Stephen Ministers share Christ’s loving care with their care receivers. We meet once a week with our care receivers to listen, pray, and walk with them through their crisis. By setting healthy boundaries at the start, we can deliver the best quality care for care receivers.
If you are a mature believer in Christ, come and see what opportunities Jesus has for you in this amazing ministry. Please call the church office, 770-887-2428 and volunteer!