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Stephen Minister Training October 13, 2008–March 16, 2009
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion. Colossians 3:12
Stephen Ministry is a program that equips lay persons to provide distinctively Christian one-on-one care to those who are experiencing all kinds of life-needs and circumstances, both in our congregation and community. 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 the 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
Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
There are times when each of us needs the care of another person, a Christian friend, a Stephen Minister! The 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 or institutionalized
- prisoners, ex-offenders and their families
- those with job crisis
- the aging and elderly
- those with disabilities and their families
- those needing the support of a Christian friend
- those facing life transition
- the separated or divorced
- households experiencing birth or adoption
- those in spiritual crisis
Stephen Ministry is confidential; those receiving care can be sure that their identity and what goes on in the caring relationship will remain private.
Stephen Ministry will equip you, and our congregation will support you, so that you can show God’s mercy, care and compassion to another person who is hurting. You will walk beside your care receiver, pray for him or her, and help him or her work through life’s difficulties.
Through this ministry God will bring forth new life and renewed faith in both your care receiver and in you as a Stephen Minister. Is God calling you in this way?
What do Stephen Ministers do?
- Listen
- Explore feelings
- Pray
- Share Christ’s love
- Maintain confidentiality
- Attend to the caregivers process and leave the results to God
 Application
To learn more about becoming a Stephen Minister, contact: Stephenministries.org or
David Walther
dwalther@sbcaz.org
480.824.7239
Lay Counselor Training Fall 2009
The Lay Counseling Ministry is planning the sixth training class to begin in the fall of 2009. Presently there are 30 men and women who serve as lay counselors here at Scottsdale Bible. They provide a safe and confidential relationship to people whose burdens feel beyond the hope that Jesus can provide.
Larry Crabb, in his book, Connecting, expresses the value of safe support to those who hurt. “It is hard to be seen at your worst. Perhaps that’s why our deepest tears are often shed alone. We’re afraid friends will tire of our struggles, so we keep them to ourselves, especially the ugly ones that we can’t quite put behind us. But tears without an audience, without someone to hear and care, leave the wounds unhealed. When someone listens to our groaning and stays there, we feel something change inside us.”
Perhaps you have had people suggest you are a safe person. If so, please pray about applying for the next training class that begins in the fall of 2009. Training sessions will be Tuesday evenings beginning in mid-September 2009 and ending the first week of March 2010, in addition to three Saturday morning sessions. The cost of the training is TBA. Maturity in Christ is essential. It is important that you have previous experience providing one-on-one caregiving, such as Stephen Ministry or Crisis Pregnancy Center counselor.
A few of the many testimonies we have heard from men and women who experienced lay counseling follow:
“I was hopeless and heart-sick, but God gave me hope through my lay counseling.”
“My girlfriend told me she couldn’t take my yelling anymore. She had good reason to stop our relationship, because I was a jerk at times. I fully believe my lay counselor was led by God to get my anger under control. I’ve gotten back into church and I’m in a small group. The most important thing he did was point me to God and give me hope.”
“I wanted to divorce my husband, and I was depressed. However, after meeting with my lay counselor, I found hope. My marriage is on a better track and I can see us growing old together with the Lord at our side. Thank you Scottsdale Bible for offering lay-counseling services. It is so awesome that our church recognizes the value of a counseling ministry.”
The training provides 60 hours of interactive experiences with speakers, videos and the other trainees. If you have questions, call the Counseling Center at 480.824.7239.
Lay Counseling Application
Practicum and Intern Students
Our Counseling Center has a long history of reaching into the church and community. Through the years the staff members and volunteers have come alongside those who are looking for help and answers to life issues from a Biblical perspective. They have also opened their hearts and doors to offer wisdom and insight to those who are in the final stages of Professional Counseling programs—such as practicum and intern students. These students are welcomed into the Counseling Center and blossom under the direction and supervision of our licensed professional counselors. The students have benefited from not only the collective counseling expertise, but Godly wisdom in applying Biblical principles to those seeking counseling through the Center.
If you are interested in exploring potential opportunities of the Counseling Center as a practicum or internship site, please contact us at 480.824.7239.
Volunteer Professionals
Would you enjoy connecting and fellowshipping with other believing behavioral health or medical professionals?
The Scottsdale Bible Counseling Center hosts a quarterly Professional Care-Givers Breakfast. The schedule for 2008: January 25, March 28, May 30 and September 26. The September 26 breakfast will feature a presentation by Gayle Selby, MC, LPC, LISAC entitled "Emotional Healing at Warp Speed." For time and location of breakfast, please call the Counseling Office at 480.824.7239.
There are many opportunities to serve in the Counseling Ministry. To find out more, call us at 480.824.7239 and/or fill out and send in information card. Contact and Referral Information Update Card
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