Ashland Place United Methodist Church
Thursday, September 09, 2010
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Stephen Ministry

 

 

 

Ashland Place UMC Stephen Ministry

 

 
Stephen Ministers and Leaders on a Renewal Retreat
 

 

Stephen Ministry at Ashland Place provides focused care to those in need while relying on God to provide the cure. Many of us could use the non-judgmental care of another person, a Christian friend …a Stephen Minister.

Our Stephen Ministers provide one-on-one lay care to help meet the needs of individuals who are hospitalized, terminally ill, bereaved, in a job crisis, disabled, homebound, lonely or in a spiritual crisis. Stephen Ministers also provide care to those facing life transitions and to new members of Ashland Place.


A Stephen Minister is...

  • a child of God who walks beside a hurting person
  • a caring Christian friend who really listens
  • a lay person who has received 50 hours of training in how to provide distinctively Christian care

    A Stephen Minister is not…
  • a counselor
  • a problem-solver
  • a casual visitor

    IS IT CONFIDENTIAL?
    Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry. Those receiving care can be sure that their identity and what transpires during the caring relationship will remain private.

     

     

     
    Stephen Ministers receiving 50 hours of training in how to provide distinctively Christian care
    How Do I Request a Stephen Minister?
    To receive the help of a Stephen Minister, you may contact the church office by phone or email and you will be put in touch with either:

     

  • Rev. Paul Wolfe, Senior Minister
  • Gloria Tidwell, Stephen Ministry Referral Coordinator
  • Richard Crowther, Stephen Ministry Leader Coordinator

    How May I Become a Stephen Minister? If you feel that you want to become a Stephen Minister, first pray about it, then look at the spiritual gifts that God has blessed you with, look at your current responsibilities (Stephen Ministry is a big commitment) and consider your own emotional circumstances. Then if you can truly say “Yes, I want to become a Stephen Minister”, you should contact the church office and you will be put in touch with one of our Stephen Leaders. You may also fill out a Stephen Minister Training Application (found under the APNews link at the top of the web page)and place it in the offering plate during a worship service. For additional information about Stephen Ministry, you may access their web site at www.stephenministries.org.

     

    History of Stephen Ministry at Ashland Place

    Stephen Ministry began at Ashland Place in August of 1996 with our first two lay persons being trained as Stephen Leaders at the Leadership Training Conference held in Baltimore, MD. Since that beginning there have been a total of 9 additional leaders and 33 ministers trained at Ashland Place.

    These 33 ministers and 9 leaders have spent more than 2500 contact hours ministering to more than 80 care receivers.

    In 2007, we hope to begin training our fifth class of Stephen Ministers here at Ashland Place United Methodist Church. If you think that you may be interested in being a part of this 50 hour training program and becoming a Stephen Minister, see the above information contained in the paragraph How May I Become a Stephen Minister?

     

    15 Wisteria Avenue ~ Mobile, Alabama 36607
    (251)478-6356   apumc@apumc.com