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a Way of Life - Caring Evangelism: How to Live and Share Christ's Love
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About
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Bedside Manners: A Practical Guide to Visiting the Ill
Price: $10.99
The Good Listener
Price: $9.95
Faith & Illness: Reflections on God’s Sustaining Love
Price: $9.95
Don't Sing Songs to a Heavy Heart: How to Relate to Those Who Are Suffering
Price: $13.95
Stephen Ministry Keychain with Caregiver's Compass
Price: $2.95
Three Times Blessed
Sharing the Gift of Stephen Ministry
with Others
"When you first hear that diagnosis of cancer, you wonder if you're going to die," said the Rev. Dr. Linda Line. "I needed someone to pray with me. I needed someone to listen and care."
Stephen Leader
Joseph Little and his son Harrison pose with "Bevo"
While Dr. Line had known of Stephen Ministry for 14 years and had always wanted to have this ministry in her congregation, she first experienced this one-to-one distinctively Christian care as a care receiver at First Presbyterian Church, Visalia, California.
"When I was in the hospital, my Stephen Minister came and visited me there. When I went to sleep at night, I never knew whether I would wake up in my hospital bed or in heaven. She got me through those difficult times. She couldn't fix or change anything, but I knew I could share my fear, anxiety, and concern about life and death with her. I always knew I could call her, that I wasn't alone."
From Care Receiver to Stephen Minister
The care they received during a crisis has moved many care receivers to train as Stephen Ministers.
One day Joseph Little found himself wandering the streets of Houston alone, no longer employed, his marriage crumbling, searching for a place to live. A few weeks earlier he had moved to Houston with his family. "I had been a partner in a law firm, and I gave up my law practice to move back to my wife's hometown and work for her family's company," Joe said. "Shortly thereafter, I got served with divorce papers.
"So I found myself in a new city where I knew practically no one. No job. No wife. No kids, at least temporarily. It was a great personal crisis."
In his wanderings he caught sight of the steeple of First Presbyterian Church, where he had been married. He approached the associate pastor, who soon provided a Stephen Minister.
Joe Little with sons Nicholas and Harrison at Sea World
For 18 months Joe's Stephen Minister cared for him as he weathered the divorce and began rebuilding his life. In early 2005 Joe took Stephen Ministry training.
"Being a Stephen Minister has changed my life completely," he said. "It has given me skills that I use as a parent of two sons, in my personal relationships, and in my career as an attorney. I listen to people differently than I did before. It has changed every aspect of my life. I empathize so well with what people are going through because I've been a care receiver."
The Next Step: Equipping Others
For many, serving as a Stephen Minister isn't the end. They go on to become Stephen Leaders, equipping others to bring life-changing care to hurting people. And their experience as a care receiver is invaluable.
Deeper Compassion for Those Who Hurt
and Relief for Pastors
When Dr. Line arrived at Sierra Presbyterian Church in Nevada City, California, this past spring as associate pastor for adult spiritual development and care, she welcomed the opportunity to attend the Stephen Series Leader's Training Course in Ontario. Today she serves as Referrals Coordinator.
"As a pastor I know that there is no way I can give people the kind of care they need and deserve with a congregation of more than 600 members. Stephen Ministry is a vital part of the care our congregation provides.
"Because of my experience as a care receiver, I have more compassion and understanding for the fear a person can experience with a diagnosis of cancer or another debilitating disease," Dr. Line said. "My ministry is more effective because I've been through these experiences and made it through to the other side. The church must have a way to extend God's loving compassion and grace without exhausting the pastoral staff. Stephen Ministry does a great job of equipping gifted laypeople of the church to extend that care."
Making Time for Stephen Ministry
At the 2006 St. Louis LTC
Having attended the 2006 LTC in St. Louis, Joe Little helps train Stephen Ministers and facilitates a Supervision Group. "I make time in my life for Stephen Ministry," Joe said. "It goes back to my experience as a care receiver. I wouldn't be where I am today, personally or professionally or in my faith, if I had not been a care receiver. I've seen the whole globe, the dark and sunny sides. I have a depth of understanding for the value and validity of what we're doing."
Passing the Blessing On to Others
Not all care receivers have the gifts, the time, or the desire to be Stephen Ministers. Not all Stephen Ministers become Stephen Leaders. But most who take all three steps will tell you that their Stephen Minister's care in their time of need made a real difference in their lives--and they look forward to giving back some of the gift they received through their service of caring and equipping others to care.
