Haymount's Stephen Leaders can help you or someone you know receive care from a Stephen Minister; Tell you how to become a Stephen Minster; Tell you about Stephen Ministry training and our next training class; Answer other questions about our congregation's Stephen Ministry Program. If you would like more information about our Stephen Ministry program please call the church office. All information will be kept confidential. (910) 484-0181 or email Dorothy Funkhouser.
Have you ever wondered about the logo that appears every Sunday on the back of the bulletin? The one followed by the statement: “Haymount United Methodist Church is a Stephen Ministry congregation.” The very presence of this logo indicates that we are an enrolled congregation in Stephen Ministries, in the business of reaching out to those in our congregation and community who are suffering a loss or going through a life crisis. Stephen Ministers are lay people, gifted in the areas of listening and compassion, and trained to walk alongside those who are struggling such losses. Dr. Kenneth Haugk began this international ministry in St. Louis in 1975. Haymount became an enrolled congregation in 1997. If you are interested in becoming a part of this ministry, or if you or someone you know could use these services, please contact (910) 484-0181 or email Dorothy Funkhouser.
Stephen Ministers are committed Christian people who
- Express God's care through their lives to others.
- Receive 50 hours of initial training in important v 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 supervision under the guidance of trained Stephen
Leaders.
- Are committed to preserving the confidential nature of the caring relationship.
- Receive continuing education and skill building throughout their years of service.
Stephen Ministry meets the needs of people.
- The hospitalized
- The terminally ill and their families
- People who move into our 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
- The separated or divorced
- Households experiencing birth or adoption
- Those in spiritual crisis
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.
Download our Stephen Ministry Brochure. Click here.
Stephen Ministry Training Information for 2009
In the second chapter of Philippians, Paul speaks of fellowship in the Spirit, of having tenderness and compassion for one another, and encourages us to be humble toward one another, to consider others better than ourselves and to look out for the interests of others. In verses 5-11 we are urged to imitate Christ's humility. These are the same goals we have for the Stephen Ministry here at Haymount.
In order to achieve these goals we have several hurdles to overcome, a time commitment to meet, and perhaps even some sacrifices to make. Our current ministry team is very excited about adding new members and looks forward to welcoming you into our fellowship if this is where God has called you.
These are some of the things you will need to consider in making your decision:
Application process: Applications are available on the rack outside the church office. Once your application has been received, an appointment will be set up for an interview with our Senior Pastor or Stephen Leaders.
- Time commitment-There is a two-year time commitment to this ministry, which includes the training period. There is an exception if a work or military commitment calls you away.
- Training- 50 hours of initial training is required plus continuing education once a month at regular meetings.
- Cost of materials-You will receive two volumes of the Stephen Ministry Training manual and three additional resource books. These are yours to keep and use as reference material…$50.00
- A first meeting will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2009, at 6:30 PM in the Commons Room. The purpose of this meeting is to distribute books, reading assignment and training schedules. Your application must be processed before this meeting. This will also be a time of preparation for our first retreat. This meeting will be followed by the retreat at the Kure Beach Retreat Center on the weekend of January 23-25, from 5 PM on Friday until early Sunday afternoon.
Our training will continue in two and one-half hour blocks each Sunday afternoon in Room 217 (at a time to be determined by the group) until we complete the fifty hours. Our goal is to complete training by the middle of May.
- Retreat fees-Two retreats are scheduled this year, with similar fees for each one. The cost for each of these is expected to be between $50-$75 per person (double occupancy.) Any additional contribution you are able to make will be used to defray the costs for those who may find this to be a financial hardship. (Scholarships are available for both the costs of books and retreat fees.) For each retreat we plan to have dinner on the way Friday night. At Kure Beach we will eat out on Saturday evening. There will be a sign-up sheet for breakfasts, lunches and snacks. The second retreat will take place at Camp Agape in Fuquay-Varina on the weekend of April 24-26.
- Peer supervision-After training has been completed, Stephen Ministers will then take part in twice monthly peer supervision. This is a two and one-half hour session in which we support and encourage each other in the work with care receivers and a time to participate in continuing education.
Before making your decision to become a part of this next class, it is our hope that you will prayerfully consider if this is the place of service where God has called you. For further information please contact the church office at 484-0181 and speak to Dorothy Funkhouser or ask for the number of one of the other members of the Stephen Leader Team.
If you are interested in becoming a part of this ministry, or if you or someone you know could use these services, please contact (910) 484-0181 or email Dorothy Funkhouser.
