Stephen Ministry

“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” Galatians 6:2

Stephen Ministry is a confidential, one-to-one, pastoral care ministry for people going through a crisis.  We provide a trained layperson to walk beside you through grief, separation and divorce, job transition, childbirth, family issues, empty nest, retirement, and any number of challenges life throws at you.  These trained laypersons are members of Buford First UMC and will listen, care, encourage, pray with and for you, and provide weekly support for you as long as your need persists.

Stephen Ministry is designed to train laypeople for one-to-one caring Christian ministry.  A Stephen Minister’s purpose is always in a supportive role to the church and is in no way a replacement.

Loving others in Jesus’ name is a challenge and an opportunity for all who are God’s children.  Likewise, the joy of helping others is the privilege of all Christians, for the Holy Spirit has given gifts to each Christian to use in service to others and to build up the church (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). Stephen Ministry relies on the gifts the Holy Spirit has given to our lay members so that, as more people are equipped to care, Christ’s love for us is able to go out from us in ever greater and more effective ways.

Click one of the audio formats below and listen to Ashley Crossett describe the Stephen Ministry during the Stewardship Moment from the day that Buford First UMC’s first Stephen Ministers were commissioned.

Stephen Ministry Stewardship Moment, 4/15/2012

BFUMC Stephen Ministers, 4/15/2012

If you have any questions, please contact one of our trained Stephen Leaders:

How can I request a Stephen Minister?

You can contact either Pastor Sondra at sondra.jones@ngumc.net or Referrals Coordinator Ashley Crossett at bfumcstephenministry@charter.net so that either of them can explain the benefits of Stephen Ministry and offer guidance to you in your particular situation. To receive care, you’ll be asked to fill out a few short forms (you can download the forms HERE) upon which a Stephen Minister may then be assigned to you after review by either the Pastor or our Referrals Coordinator.

Stephen Ministry is a Christ-centered, one-to-one, listening ministry that offers those in need STRICT CONFIDENTIALITY.   This confidentiality is at the heart of Stephen Ministry.  Only the care receiver, the assigned Stephen Minister, Pastor Sondra, and the Referrals Coordinator will know of the assignment and identity of the recipient.

How can I become a Stephen Minister?

If you are interested in being a Stephen Minister, please download and complete the confidential Stephen Minister Application and return it to one of our Stephen Leaders listed above.  For more information on this ministry, please contact Ashley Crossett or check out some of the information in the documents available for download here:

DOWNLOAD >> Stephen Ministry – Media Fact Sheet

DOWNLOAD >> Stephen Ministers – The After People

DOWNLOAD >> Calendar for 2011-12 Stephen Ministry Training