Stephen Leaders, Karen Pollan, R. Gaskins and Candace Lufkin are back from the Stephen Leaders Training Conference in Portland, Oregon, excited about implementing a Stephen Ministry here at First Presbyterian.
What is Stephen Ministry? Basically, it is Christ caring for people through people. You might be thinking, "We already do that." And you would be right. Every time we welcome a newcomer or pray for each other Christ is caring for people through people. Stephen Ministry is not a replacement for loving each other and offering care to one another. However, Stephen Ministry enhances our ministry to others in our congregation and in our community by providing intensive Christ-oriented care training along with ongoing supervision and continuing education.
How will I know if I should take the training to be a Stephen Minister? In the coming months there will be several opportunities to explore that question. Just as not everyone has the gifts to be a Sunday School teacher or a choir member or a youth leader, not everyone has the gifts to be a Stephen Minister. Here are some ways you can begin exploring if this ministry fits your gifts:
- attend the Introduction to Stephen Ministry Sunday School classes in the Pioneer room (February 17- March 16);
- participate in the special Bible study "Discovering God's Vision For Your Life: You and Your Spiritual Gifts" (after Easter, time TBA);
- over the summer learn about "Christian Caregiving" (day and time TBA);
- and, of course, talk with your Stephen Leaders Karen Pollan, Candace Lufkin or R. Gaskins.
How long will all this take? I wish we had a team of Stephen Ministers today! However, your Stephen Leader Team wants to build a program that is worthy of our calling as believers, worthy of our congregation's support, and sustainable for future growth. To do that it is important to build a strong foundation. I will never forget the foundation we built for the house in Tijuana when I went with the youth to Mexico for Amor Ministries. The first day was the longest, hardest, most exhausting day of the whole experience and, compared to other days, not much at the job site changed. We hauled sand and gravel. We mixed sand and gravel. We stirred sand and gravel with water. We poured the cement and leveled it. At the end of the day we had an 11 by 22 foot foundation. We stumbled back to the bus too weary to talk. The next day we worked fewer hours with less effort, and, when we left the job site, the house was framed. But the solid foundation was crucial for building a beautiful and lasting structure. So we are hauling and stirring and with your prayers, building a strong foundation.
Be praying for the Stephen Leaders. Participate in the classes. Talk to R. Gaskins, Candace, and Karen - we will need help with the hauling and stirring!
Karen Pollan
