Love one another...as I have loved you.

This is a ministry of First United Methodist Church that equips lay persons to provide distinctively Christian one-to-one care to those who are experiencing all kinds of life needs and circumstances. Stephen Ministers have gone through extensive training in how to provide care for people who are experiencing grief, illness, separation/divorce, spiritual crisis, or other circumstances that call for special attention. The Stephen Ministry program is active and at work in First United Methodist Church , Lufkin , Texas . If you or someone you know would like to talk with a caring friend who provides confidential Christian care during times of stress or special need, please e-mail Maria Bryant or call her at 936-631-3222 for further details.

Stephen Ministers are committed Christian people who:

	·         express God's care through their lives to others;
	·         receive 50 hours of initial training in important caring ministry skills and concepts;
	·         are commissioned as Stephen Ministers after completing their initial training;
	·         visit another person regularly and dependably and offer Christian support and care;
	·         participate in regular support and supervision under guidance of trained Stephen Leaders;
	·         are committed to preserving the confidential nature of the caring relationship;
	·         serve for at least two years;
	·         receive continuing education and skill building throughout their years of service.

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion." Colossians 3:12

Meets the Needs of People
There are times when each of us needs the care of another person, a Christian friend, a Stephen Minister! These needs include: (but are not limited to)

the hospitalized, the terminally ill and their families, people who move into or out of our community, those grieving a death or serious loss, the homebound and institutionalized, prisoners, ex-offenders, and their families, those with a job crisis, the aging and elderly, those with disabilities and their families, those needing the support of a Christian friend, those facing life transitions, the separated or divorced, households experiencing birth or adoption, those in spiritual crisis.

Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry: those receiving care can be sure that their identity and what goes on in the caring relationship will remain private.

"Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

Multiplies Our Christian Care giving and Outreach
Our Stephen Ministers, work together with our pastors, to reach more people with Christian care than pastors can reach by themselves.

People who receive care from a Stephen Minister receive quality Christian care, deepen their relationship with their Lord, grow in their desire to participate in Christian community, come to value ministry from another lay person while continuing contact with the pastor.

Stephen Ministry enhances our outreach by creating a "caring ministry explosion" where many instead of a few are offering God's love and care in intentional, systematic ways. Stephen Ministry enables our entire congregation to grow as a warm, loving, nurturing community where people are cherished and cared for in Jesus Christ. Stephen Ministry identifies our congregation to our community as a place where people's needs are taken seriously.

"Encourage one another and build one another up." I Thessalonians 5:11

Christ Caring for People through People
Stephen Leaders are pastors, church staff, and/or lay persons who have completed a seven-day Stephen Series Leader's Training Course and are commissioned to lead the Stephen Ministry of our congregation.

Lufkin First Church’s Stephen Leaders can help you or someone you know receive care from a Stephen Minister; tell you how to become a Stephen Minister; tell you about Stephen Ministry training and our next training class; answer questions about our congregation's Stephen Ministry program.

How You Can Support Our Congregation's Stephen Ministry

	·         Pray for our Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers as they provide Christian care to others.
	·         Pray for all who are receiving confidential care through the Stephen Ministry of Lufkin’s First United Methodist Church .
	·         Tell Stephen Leaders about those who might benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister—be sure to get that person's permission first!
	·         Receive Stephen Ministry when you are in need of supportive Christian care.
	·         Consider serving as a Stephen Minister
	·         Support Stephen Ministry with your financial gifts.