Stephen Ministry Set to Grow

The caring ministry at HTLC will be expanding soon, as
members are being interviewed to begin Stephen Ministry
training on August 28, 2008. At the completion of their
training on December 4, the trainees will be commissioned as
Stephen Ministers, as it was recently with our first ten Stephen
Ministers during worship services on July 12-13. The new
trained Stephen Ministers will join the currently active
Stephen Ministers at HTLC in providing one-to-one care to
individuals experiencing difficulties in life.
Stephen Ministry training combines sound theological
principles with contemporary psychology. Pastor Flater
stated, “This training is based on one of Luther’s signs or
Marks of the Church: ‘the mutual consolation of the brothers
and sisters.” Stephen Minister’s actions of ‘bearing one
another’s burdens’ is an activity that can be seen as a true sign
of the Christ’s church in the world. The training is top-notch.
The skills our Stephen Ministers learn and practice prepare
them to provide a very high level of Christian caregiving. The
training is intense because it explores some serious life issues,
but it is also a growth-producing and enjoyable experience.
The 50 hours of Stephen Ministry training is broken down into
twenty 2 ½ -hour sessions that will be held on Thursday
evenings throughout the fall. Included in this training are two
in-house retreats and one three day retreat at Camp Shalom
near Maquoketa.
Among the topics covered are:
Feelings: Yours, Mine, and Ours
The Art of Listening
Distinctively Christian Care
Assertiveness: Relating Gently and Firmly
Confidentiality
Ministering to Those Experiencing Grief
Caring for People before, during, and after Hospitalization
More than a half-million people have gone through Stephen
Ministry training in more than 9,000 churches worldwide since
the ministry began in 1975. We’re part of something big!
Don’t miss this opportunity to help people who are hurting.
People whose needs might otherwise slip through the cracks
are coming face to face with Jesus’ love through their Stephen
Ministers. Our new class will help us touch that many more
lives. We encourage you to speak with Pastor Flater or Cheryl
Rose very soon to hear about how to become a Stephen
Minister.
Cheryl Rose