ROLLING OAKS CHRISTIAN CHURCH’S
STEPHEN MINISTRY
In January of 2008 ROCC began implementation of a new and exciting system of lay caring ministry within the congregation.
The program involves 11 specially trained lay members who will work with Mr. Jack Harris, the ROCC Stephen Minister Referrals Coordinator. These Stephen Ministers provide Christian care and support for people who are facing various crises in their lives, such as a terminal illness, grief, hospitalization, job crisis, spiritual crisis, separation or divorce, birth, adoption, or disabilities – people needing the support of a Christian friend.
Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry; those receiving care can be sure that their identity and what goes on in the caring relationship will remain private.
ROCC is sending Mr. Jack Harris to training this summer to become a Stephen Minister Leader. Then he will then be able to train other members of our congregation as Stephen Ministers as well as serve as the Stephen Minister Referrals Coordinator. Continue to watch the monthly ROCC Beat Newsletters and this page for more information on this topic.
If you would like to be in a relationship with a Stephen Minister, please contact Mr. Jack Harris by leaving a message at the church office at (210) 654-1744 or E-Mailing the church at rollingoakscc@sbcglobal.net . He will return your call (normally not longer than the next day) to arrange to discuss your needs with you. Remember, this interview and any resulting Stephen Ministry relationship is confidential.
Want to know more? Here are some frequently asked questions and the answers:
1. How often does a Stephen Minister (or care giver) meet with his/her care receiver?
Answer: Typically once a week although either the care giver or care receiver may initiate a phone call in between caring visits.
2. Where will the care giver meet with the care receiver?
Answer: Frequently in the care receiver’s home, but not always. If privacy is a problem at home, then you may decide to meet at church, a restaurant, or some other public place like a library. It needs to be a place where the care receiver is comfortable.
3. Once the caring relationship has begun, who may initiate a visit? Answer: Typically the care giver sets up the next visit at the end of the current one; however, either the care receiver or giver can request a visit.
4. How long should a caring visit last?
Answer: Caring visits usually last about an hour but sometimes the visit may be longer or shorter, depending on the care receiver’s current situation.
5. How many visits can a care receiver expect to have with the care giver?
Answer: The number of visits depends on the needs of the care receiver. Depending on the situation, the visits may last a few months up to a year or more.
6. How can the care receiver be assured of confidentiality? Answer: Confidentiality is an essential component of being a Stephen Minister. We are carefully trained in this area, and even the little information shared in supervision is done without names or personal references, so no one else will know that you have a Stephen Minister.
NOTE: Trust is vital. If either the care receiver or the Stephen Minister are not comfortable with the other, please talk to either the Senior Pastor or the Stephen Minister Leader about the possibility of being assigned a different Stephen Minister or care receiver.