Stephen Ministry

Caring That Changes Lives

“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

Stephen Ministers will gather to discuss the book, Don’t Sing Songs to a Heavy Heart by Kenneth C. Haugk, founder and Executive Director of Stephen Ministries. Reflective of personal suffering, he wrote this “with practical examples and specific suggestions about what to say or do and what not to say or do.”

Would you offer distinctively Christian caring to someone in need? Become a Stephen Minister.

A Stephen Minister is:

• A child of God who walks beside a person who is hurting.
• A congregation member with gifts for care giving who is called to serve in this role.
• A lay person who receives 50 hours of training in providing emotional and spiritual care.
• A caring Christian friend who listens, cares, prays, supports, and encourages.
• Someone who is there for his or her care receiver, meeting faithfully for about an hour each week for as long as there’s a need.

Eight Stephen Ministers' commissioning culminates fifty hours of extensive training in distinctively Christian caring for people experiencing a life crisis. They have studied and practiced skills in areas such as dealing with feelings, crisis intervention, listening, and being completely confidential. Jim Bentley, Rhonda Hartman, April Johnson, Laurie Linde, Wendell Malin, Keith Narr, Michael Nelson, and Susi Ruchie.

To learn how you can become a Stephen Minister or learn more about Stephen Ministry, contact Pastor Dale Howard, 952-929-1697 or dale@normluth.org.

*www.stephenministries.org