Stephen Ministry

An important facet of the CUMC Care Center is the Stephen Ministry. Stephen Ministers are members of the laity who have been trained to provide a listening ear and a helping presence for others who need support while they struggle through life's rough times. Stephen Ministers are not professional counselors or therapist, but have had 50 hours of training. After their basic training, they participate in bimonthly meetings for continuing education and supervision. The Stephen Minister works on a one to one basis with his or her care receiver and keeps all sharing strictly confidential. No fees are charged for the services. If you are confronted with one of those times in life when making the right decision becomes trying, perhaps you can find assistance by sharing with a Stephen Minister. They can visit with you weekly, listen intelligently, offer resources and referrals if needed, pray with and for you and offer Christian love and support. If you are in need of the support of a Stephen Minister or would like to know more about the program, please contact the CUMC Care Center at 972-596-4303.

Times a Stephen Minister Can Help:

  • Am I confused about events in my life?
  • Do I feel like I have lost control of my life and my problems?
  • Do I doubt God. s presence and love for me?
  • Am I hurting?
  • Do my job worries seem to great to handle?
  • Is my job getting me down?
  • Am I feeling lonely?
  • Do I wish I had someone to share my thoughts with?
  • Have there been changes in my life that have caused readjustments in my lifestyle?
  • Am I having difficulty making decisions and finding answers?
  • Have I recently suffered a loss?
  • Do I ever feel like I just want someone to listen?
  • Am I concerned about a pending operation?
  • Am I fearful about a prognosis?

Can a Stephen Minister help me? "I didn't know what to expect from my Stephen Minister, but he put me at ease. I had a friend I could trust and who really cared about me. My caregiver helped me to work things out for myself and had the patience to let me do it." "When I really needed a friend, my Stephen Minister was there. We cried together, prayed together, talked, and now we laugh together." "I wanted answers and she asked questions. She knew how to see things in a new way and her questions helped me find my own answers. I thought God had forgotten me, but my Stephen Minister helped me grow close to God."