"So, what's it going to be like, training to serve with Stephen Ministry?"
This was a question I had been asking myself since clicking that button in the SDBC newsletter and putting my name forward to sign up for Stephen Ministry training. We had been calling SDBC our home church for approximately one and a half years when I started to hear about Stephen Ministry. I thought it was fantastic that SDBC had a lay ministry of people that cared for others in the congregation and community in a very intentional and dedicated way. Like most people, I had been caring for many people for many years in my various roles of mother, wife, daughter, colleague, friend, and fellow church member. But, to be honest, I had never really had formal training in being a caregiver! What would I learn? Scary thought…maybe I would learn that I had been doing it all wrong all these years! What I hoped I would learn is that God could and would better equip me to come alongside my family members, my friends, my church family…. whoever in my circle was currently going through rough and challenging times.
I was interviewed as an applicant for the training course and the date to begin was set. Nervously, I went to that first training class and met my two classmates and our two trainers. And then the learning began! The first thing I learned was that Stephen Ministry was not a ministry unique and designed by SDBC! In fact, it is a non-profit educational organization founded in 1975 in St. Louis, Missouri, and its material is now being used in thousands of congregations worldwide to train laypeople to do distinctly Christian, one-on-one caring ministry. I also learned that the training material is very comprehensive and very structured. There were two manuals that we would be going through in class with weekly lessons on various topics such as, "The Art of Listening," "A Process Approach to Caring," "Confidentiality," and "Ministering to those experiencing grief, depression, divorce, health challenges, etc." The lessons were well laid out and the class time was used to go through each chapter once we had read it on our own at home. Class time also included role-playing scenarios and conversations with hypothetical care receivers. Lots of learning happened in those next months of training! But also good discussions and good bonding between our fellow classmates and trainers. Sometimes, it was a bit overwhelming but the spirit of encouragement and care we felt from each other made it rewarding and we were constantly reminded that we are not counsellors but rather caregivers. Showing up and being there for our assigned care receivers was one of our most important roles, and we were constantly being reminded that God is the "curegiver" and we are the "caregivers."
Coming to the end of the training, I felt that my learning had only just begun. But I also felt so much more equipped to walk alongside people going through life challenges. And the big thing was also that I now found myself in a group of other people with whom I would continue to learn and who were similarly trained and would support me, supervise me, and guide me in this distinctly Christian caring ministry. I feel honoured and privileged to be part of this ministry at SDBC.
A Stephen Minister is a well-trained caregiver who listens, cares, prays, encourages, and offers the love of Christ during a time of need. Our congregation offers Stephen Ministry to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to people who are going through a difficult time. SDBC is offering a training course for new Stephen Ministers starting January 17, 2024. If God is prompting you to become part of this care ministry, please email our Stephen Ministry team.
Login To Leave Comment