ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH
(The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod)
Alma, Kansas
A family united by faith in Christ gathering around God's Word and Sacraments.
To reach out in Christ-like concern and Christ-borne love to each other and to those without Christ!
In This Month's
St. John Witness
JANUARY WITNESS
Theology for the Day / Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry
What is Stephen Ministry? Congregations equip lay caregivers to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting or are experiencing grief, divorce, cancer, job loss, loneliness, disability, relocation, and other life difficulties. Stephen Ministers serve in a one to one relationship of trust, care, and Christ-like concern. If you think you might benefit from having a Stephen Minister, please call Pastor Grimm, or talk with one of these servants of God. - Don Frank, Charlie Gann, Judy Peddicord, Junior Stuewe, Carol White.
If you would be interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, please contact Pastor Grimm.
Below is more information about the Stephen Series & Stephen MInistry.
- Why is it called the Stephen Series?
Stephen was one of the first laypeople commissioned by the Apostles to provide caring ministry (Acts 6). Series describes the steps a congregation follows to implement the caring ministry system, which is commonly called Stephen Ministry.
- How many congregations are using Stephen Ministry?
More than 11,000 congregations are enrolled, with hundreds more enrolling each year. They represent more than 150 denominations and come from all 50 United States, 10 Canadian provinces, and 24 other countries. Many congregations have had Stephen Ministry going strong for 20 or 30 years—or longer.
- What size congregations are involved?
Stephen Ministry congregations range from fewer than 100 members to more than 10,000. Churches of any size have opportunities to care for hurting people in the congregation and community.
- What are Stephen Ministers?
Stephen Ministers are laypeople who commit to two years of learning, growing, and caring. They receive Christian caregiving training in their congregation and then provide one-to-one Christ-centered care to hurting people. Each Stephen Minister typically has one care receiver at a time and meets with that person once a week.
- What types of caregiving situations are Stephen Ministers used in?
Stephen Ministers provide high-quality, one-to-one Christian care to individuals facing a variety of crises or life challenges—people who are experiencing grief, divorce, cancer, financial difficulties, hospitalization, chronic illness, job loss, disabilities, loneliness, a spiritual crisis, or other life struggles.
In addition to caring for members within the congregation, Stephen Ministers can provide care to nonmembers, reaching out to unchurched people in crisis.
- What are Stephen Leaders?
Stephen Leaders are pastors and lay leaders who direct Stephen Ministry in their congregation. They attend a one-week Leader’s Training Course (LTC) where they learn how to effectively lead their congregation’s Stephen Ministry.
- What is the meaning of the logo?
The Stephen Series logo symbolizes that we are all broken people and that we are only made whole through the cross of Jesus.
Since 1975 nearly a half million Christian men and women from all walks of life have trained and served as Stephen Ministers in their congregations. Most decide to become Stephen Ministers as a way to help hurting people in their congregation and community—but very quickly discover that God gives them amazing blessings in return.
- What do people say about Stephen Ministry?
“My faith has grown, my prayer life has doubled, and I know how to really make a difference in people’s lives. I’d encourage anyone who has the chance to become a Stephen Minister.”
George Lund, Architect Prairie Village, Kansas“Being a Stephen Minister has taught me to rely on God instead of always trying to fix things myself. I’ve learned what to say, how to listen, and what to do during a crisis. It’s a great feeling to provide people with the spiritual care and support they need.”
John Eichelberger, Physician Greenwood, South Carolina“The assertiveness skills I learned through Stephen Ministry gave me the courage and confidence I needed to be a more effective supervisor in my secular job—and to be more assertive in my personal relationships. Thank you for helping me develop these vital skills.”
Elizabeth McMillion, Rehabilitation Counselor Madison, Wisconsin
Theology for Today
With the New Year, plan to spend time with God, and to learn from His Word. Here is a list of the Books of the Bible organized to help you grow in your faith and in understanding. If you want to read through the Bible in one year, you need to read about three chapters a day. But there is nothing wrong with reading at a slower pace. The important thing is to keep reading. The Bible is both simple, providing faith strengthening words for all ages, as well as complex, teaching us some of the deepest mysteries of God and universe. You don't need to understand everything at once. As you keep reading and rereading the Bible, you will begin to understand the deeper and more difficult parts.
This brief overview may help you get started. The order is from essentials to challenging readings. As you read a few chapters at a time, you might also want to make your own notes.
Acts – The Birth and Growth of the Church
Gospel of Matthew – The Life, Words & Work of the Messiah (Tax Collector Matthew's Point of View)
Genesis – The Creation of the World and of Israel
1 & 2 Peter – Living by Faith, Facing Persecution
Exodus – Israel’s Sojourn in the Wilderness
Gospel of Mark – The Life, Words & Work of the Messiah (The Fisherman Peter's Point of View)
Proverbs – Living by Faith, Learning the Wisdom of God's Word
Leviticus – How Israel Sojourned in the Wilderness with the God of Holiness
Hebrews – The Sacrifice of the Messiah
Numbers – Israel's Sojourn in the Wilderness and the Troubles Encountered There
Gospel of Luke – The Life, Words & Work of the Messiah (The Rabbi Paul's Point of View)
Deuteronomy – The Last Words of Moses as Israel Enters the Promised Land
Romans – How Jews and Gentiles Are Saved and Live by Faith
Joshua – The Conquest of Canaan
Judges – The Disobedience and Deliverance of Israel
Ruth – The Story of a Faithful Woman and Our Faithful God
Gospel of John – The Life, Words & Work of the Messiah (The Oldest Apostle's Point of View)
Job – The Story of a Faithful Man Who Endures the Testing of His Faith Through Suffering
1 & 2 Samuel – King David, The Great Grandfather of the Messiah
Psalms – The Hymnbook of God
1 & 2 Kings – Idolatry in Israel, Civil War, and God's Discipline
1 & 2 Chronicles - The Preservation of the Line of David and the Priesthood
Ecclesiastes – The Journal of Solomon
1 & 2 Corinthians – Healing the Divisions in the Church
Song of Solomon – The Love of Husband and Wife and of God and His Church
Isaiah – Prophetic Warnings and Promises
Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians – Encouraging Words to Christian Churches
Jeremiah – Prophetic Warnings and Promises
Lamentations - The Destruction of Jerusalem and Prayer of Repentance
1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon – Encouraging Words to Christians
Ezekiel – Prophetic Warnings and Promises
James – Wise Advice to Christians
Daniel and the Twelve Prophets – Prophetic Warnings and Promises
1, 2, & 3 John, Jude & Revelation – Perseverance Through Persecution
The Book of Acts
The Book of Acts is a good place to begin reading the Bible because it describes the first Christians telling others about Jesus Christ. This is where all of us start as Christians - with other Christians telling us about Jesus! The Book of Acts is the continuation of the Gospel of St. Luke. Luke was a physician (Colossians 4.14) who accompanied Paul in his mission work. He wrote in excellent Greek, and he shows a good knowledge of the Old Testament. It was written before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and before Paul's death (A.D. 66-68) and the persecution of Nero (A.D. 64). The purpose of the book was to give an account of the spread of Christianity from Jerusalem to the end of the earth (Acts 1.8). It explains the transition from Peter and his ministry to Israel to Paul and his ministry to the Gentiles.
