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The Stephen
Ministry logo consists of a cross and circle, together
with a broken
person and a whole person. The broken person stands behind the cross,
symbolizing the brokenness in our lives as a result of our sin. The
whole person stands in front of the cross because through the cross of
Jesus we again are made whole. The circle symbolizes both the wholeness
we receive through Christ and God's unending love for us.
Who
is a Stephen Minister? A Stephen
Minister is a
caregiver who is compassionate, full of faith, trustworthy, and
equipped through fifty hours of training to care for others in a
distinctively Christian way. Helping another person along the journey
of life will be the result of God's call and your own distinctive
gifts.
Contact Janet Glenn
972-264-8428 or Dana Edwards
972-262-0049.
Everyone's Job, Everyone's Joy
When was the
last time you heard someone say, "That is the pastor's job," when
referring to some aspect of ministry? Ministry is not just the job (or,
better yet, the opportunity) of the clergy. The opportunity and
responsibility for doing ministry has been given to all Christians. The
upcoming Stephen Ministry training class is a chance to be trained and
equipped for doing ministry. Talk to any of our Stephen Ministers: they
will tell you that it is a joyous privilege to share Christ's love with
others. Is this chance for ministry the one for you? Think about
it.
Prayerfully
consider this ministry as a gift of your time and talents for God's
children.
Stephen Ministry's History at FUMCGP
Approximately
ten years ago, First United Methodist Church, Grand Prairie (FUMCGP)
became a Stephen Ministries church and part of the Stephen Ministries
series with headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. The mission of this
ministry at FUMCGP is to help the congregation equip God's people for
spiritual growth and Christ centered practical ministry in today's
world.
Stephen Ministry is a structured, lay
ministry of the congregation which provides Christian care to members
and others through the development of one-on-one, confidential, and
non-judgmental relationships.
The Stephen Minister is a caregiver who
is compassionate, full of faith, skilled, and trustworthy. He or she
walks beside a hurting person, really listens, and is trained to
provide distinctively Christian care.
How may all members of the congregation
help? Remember to pray for this ministry and what it can mean to our
congregation as one responds to I Thessalonians "Bear one another's burdens and
so fulfill the law of Christ." Perhaps you or some one you
know is interested in becoming a Stephen Minister and expressing God's
care through his or her life to others or becoming a Leadership Team
member.
Members are invited to make their
interest or questions known to Kay Murray, Stephen
Ministry Chair.
Who is a Stephen Minister?
In his essay
"The Lighthouse", the late Christopher Reeve, an actor, director, and
the Chairman of the Board of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis
foundation, says this, "At some time, often when we least expect it, we
all have to face overwhelming challenges. We are more troubled than we
have ever been before: we may doubt that we have what it takes to
endure. It is very tempting to give up, yet we have to find the will to
keep going. But even when we discover what motivates us, we realize
that we can't go the distance alone."
Have you wanted to be the one to help
another but feel uncomfortable talking about your faith, praying with
others, or trying to comfort?
A Stephen Minister is a caregiver who is
compassionate, full of faith, trustworthy, and equipped through fifty
hours of training to care for others in a distinctively Christian way.
Helping another person along the journey of life will be the result of
God's call and your own distinctive gifts. Applications to be a Stephen
Minister are available.
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