Stephen Ministry supports our pastoral team in the caring ministries
of the church. Each Stephen Minister completes 50 hours of training
prior to commissioning. Through one-to-one caring relationships, a trained Stephen Minister cares, listens and shares God’s love in
times of confusion, stress, crisis and other of life’s challenges with
strict confidentiality. Stephen Ministry trainees learn about dealing
with life issues such as illness, death, relationships, spiritual concerns, job concerns and the like. Stephen Ministers also learn about the stages of depression, signs of suicide, and community resources available. Stephen Ministers are called to be “care-givers”... God is the “cure-giver."

If you would like to meet with a Stephen Minister or learn more about becoming a Stephen Minister, please contact Barbara Carey (910.548.4818), Dave Johnson (252.354.4487), Pastor Ed or Pastor Rachel (910.326.4822).

Stephen Ministers Commissioned 

Swansboro United Methodist Church held a commissioning service May 15th recognizing the completion of 20 weeks of study by its newest Stephen Ministers: Bill Baker, Patsy Crawford, Joel Harrod, Ken Harrod and Al Krutulewski. Since 1997, the church has trained over 50 Stephen Ministers and Leaders to support the pastors in caring for the congregation.

Stephen Ministers serve as an extension of the pastoral staff, sharing the love of Christ with people going through crisis or change in their lives through confidential one to one distinctively Christian caring relationships. Typically a Stephen Minister will support a person facing illness, death of a loved one, job concerns, relationship issues or other life changes such as child birth, retirement or moving for months or even years. The training includes topics such as listening skills, process oriented goal setting, depression, grief, crisis management, assertiveness, speaking the truth in love and resources available to the caregiver. Dr. Ed Gunter explained, “When a church reaches about 80 members, it becomes impossible for a pastor to provide continuing care for all of the congregants who are experiencing difficult times. While the pastors can provide immediate care, Stephen Ministers assist with the sustained care that people require to regain wholeness. The program trains the congregation to serve as the hands of Christ to each other.”

On September 13, 2009, Dick McLeish led a continuous education training session for some of our Stephen Ministers. The group studied caring for people who are facing death or the death of a loved one. If you are going through a difficult period in your life contact Dr. Ed or Pastor Rachel to consider having a Stephen Minister assigned to walk by your side in Christian love within a confidential personal relationship.

    May 3, 2009 Commissioning New Stephen Ministers           September 13, 2009  Dick McLeish led a training session.