Stephen Ministry Offers a Safe Place
How are you?
Being able to answer honestly, “I am hurting,” is freeing for a care receiver.
The weight of living lessens a little as the care receiver is able to talk honestly, without policing oneself, about his or her deepest thoughts and feelings. These conversations are not awkward because of the Stephen Minister’s faith-based acceptance and the mutual trust developed through confidential discussions, sharing scriptures, and praying together.
A Stephen Minister is a safe person to talk to because a trained Stephen Minister realizes listening is most important in their time together.
Listening as a Caregiver means:
- Being focused on what the care receiver is sharing.
- Being attentive to how ideas are shared.
- Being responsive by expressing in the Stephen Minister’s own words what the care receiver has just shared, to assure better under-standing.
- Being non-judgemental and encouraging.
- Being trustworthy that what is said will stay between the S.M. and the C.R.
Trained Stephen Ministers bring God’s Love to their care receivers. Stephen Ministers believe:
“We are the caregivers, God is the Cure Giver”.
If you would like a Stephen Minister to walk alongside you while processing a troublesome time in your life, contact Pastor Trozzo or Sue Kuhn, Referrals Coordinator.
—Submitted by Sue Kuhn, Stephen Leader