Lay Ministry

Lay Ministers play an important role...

In the United Methodist Church, lay ministers are those members who volunteer to lead and serve in nearly every role in our local church. Some lay ministers are paid, but most are volunteers. Decatur First UMC has a special volunteer opportunity to provide care and support to others called Stephen Ministry.

What is Stephen Ministry?

A special ministry in which one Christian reaches out to another in time of need.
A structured program of training and preparation for a caring relationship.
An opportunity to reach out to others who may be lonely, depressed, insolated, bereaved, new to town, hospitalized or convalescing, divorced, or elderly.
An on-going, supportive relationship with scheduled regularity, dependability, and confidentiality.
A meaningful way for our church to make the very best use of our members’ many strengths and abilities, as we share one another's burdens and cares.

Who are Stephen Ministers?

Men and women from our congregation who have developed their gifts for bringing the concern and care of Christ in community to people in need. Stephen Ministers are people of all ages who come from all walks of life and backgrounds.
Caring and sharing Christians desiring to offer their help and support to others in time of need.
Trained Christians, having developed their caring skills through intensive coursework.
Dedicated Christians, commissioned by the Church to engage in confidential intentional caring.

How are Stephen Ministers trained?

Stephen Ministers receive approximately fifty hours of training, based on solid Biblical teaching, and drawing from the best knowledge and tools of the health and psychological sciences, before beginning their care-giving work.

The training topics are really "practical theology." A few of the topics include:

The Art of Listening
How to Use the Bible with Others
Confidentiality
Ministry to the Dying, Depressed, Older Persons, and Grieving

Throughout their service, Stephen Ministers receive continuing education in a variety of related subjects.

What happens when you ask for a Stephen Minister for yourself or for a friend?

For Yourself: Someone will contact you to talk more about Stephen Ministry and what it can mean to you. Then you will be matched with a Stephen Minster who will listen and support you through this tough time. This whole process is completely CONFIDENTIAL. No one knows what you talk about with your Stephen Minster, except the two of you.

For Someone Else: You may know someone in crisis who doesn't know where to turn. This person might be tense, upset, worn out, and in need of someone to talk with who cares. You'd like to help. But how? There are three easy steps:

First, listen and care for your friend in your own relationship together.
Second, ask him or her for permission to report the need to a Stephen Minister. Be sure to tell your friend that everything will be completely confidential.
Third, report his or her need as promptly as possible. You can do this by contacting the church at 404-378-4541.

When I report a need for care, how can I help keep it confidential?

Confidentiality is the foundation of Stephen Ministry. No one but the person involved and his or her Stephen Minister knows what they talk about. As you report a need, you are the first important link in this process of confidentiality. You can help maintain confidentiality by:

Never talking about a need unless you have permission from the person to mention it;
Never asking a Stephen Minister about the caring relationship he or she is part of;
Telling others about Stephen Ministry and then asking permission to report their needs.

I’m interested in becoming a Stephen Minister. What kind of commitment will I need to make?

Being a Stephen Minister will require a commitment of time and effort in the service of helping other people. Therefore, a two-year commitment is necessary. This will include a 50-hour training course, which will lead to commissioning. After commissioning, in addition to your service as a Stephen Minister, one or two meetings a month of at least two hours will be necessary for guidance and further education.

Being a Stephen Minister will bring many unexpected blessings into your life...

You will grow in the understanding of your own Christian calling as well as the privilege of working closely with others in helping relationships.
You will experience the fellowship of a warm, loving, and caring group of people.
You will know you are a vital part of the Body of Christ - the living church.

The skills you receive as a part of the Stephen Ministry training are applicable not only to a lay caring ministry, but also in your everyday life experiences and relationships with others.