STEPHEN MINISTRY
Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.
1 John 4:11-12

Stephen Ministry is a system through which members of Lake Travis UMC are trained and organized to help provide Christian caregiving to members of our congregation who are struggling with such issues as grief, loneliness, terminal illness, or a crisis in job, marriage, or family. Those receiving care from Stephen Ministers benefit because they receive prayer and support throughout the crisis they face. Stephen Ministers benefit through the spiritual growth they experience from being involved in meaningful ministry. Our pastors benefit because caring ministry at LTUMC is expanded and fewer people will slip through the cracks.
• Status of Stephen Ministry
• Calendar of Stephen Ministry at LTUMC
• How To Become a Stephen Minister
• Referral Procedure
• Stephen Ministry History and Logo
• Contact List

Status of Stephen Ministry at LTUMC
Lake Travis UMC enrolled in the Stephen Ministry program in May of 2005. Our first three Stephen Leaders were trained at a week long training session in July. MaryAnn Kuo, Teddy Broeker and Bud Broeker were commissioned by LTUMC in August 2005. MaryAnn Kuo, Teddy Broeker and Bud Broeker were commissioned by LTUMC in August 2005; and Evon Skilton was trained and commissioned at Stephen Leader training in Corpus Christi, Texas, in February, 2007. We have trained and commissioned 16 Stephen Ministers, who are now giving care to members of our congregation; and will be conducting a class for new Stephen Ministers in January of 2009.

How To Become a Stephen Minister
A Stephen Minister is a caring Christian lay person who, on a one-to-one basis, listens, understands, accepts, and prays for and with a care receiver who is working through a crisis or tough time. A potential Stephen Minister will receive 50 hours of training, continue to meet twice a month for supervision and continuing education and make an initial commitment of two years. After training, the Stephen Minister will meet with an assigned care receiver an average of one hour per week. If you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, please contact MaryAnn Kuo at 261-0412 or Pastor Andy Smith to fill out an application.

Referral Procedure
Do you need some extra support and care? Are you going through a time of struggle, confusion or despair? You might be experiencing a time of loss, loneliness, or the scariness of a new or difficult situation. Maybe it would be helpful to have someone walk and talk with you during this time in your life. A Care Receiver is a person who benefits from the listening ears and encouraging heart of a Stephen Minister.
You can refer yourself, a friend, neighbor, relative or anyone else you know who is going through a difficult time so that special care can be given when it is needed the most. Just remember if you are referring someone else, obtain their permission before you give their name. Call MaryAnn Kuo at 261-0412 or talk with Pastor Andy Smith at 266-9877.

Stephen Ministry History and Logo
Stephen Ministry began in 1975 when Dr. Kenneth Haugk, a pastor and psychologist, saw that there were many more needs for care in his congregation than he alone could meet. Dr. Haugk drew from his background in pastoral care and clinical psychology to train nine of his parishioners to provide biblically based, psychologically sound, one-on-one care. The ministry was so successful that it quickly drew the attention of other congregations. Today nearly 9,000 congregations from 100 denominations are involved in Stephen Ministry.

The Stephen Ministry logo is intended to convey what Stephen Ministry is all about. The logo consists of a cross and circle together with a broken person and a whole person. The logo's most dominant feature is the cross of Jesus. It reminds us that Christ is at the center of Stephen Ministry and all Stephen Ministry relationships. The logo is designed to show that the path from brokenness to greater wholeness is through Jesus Christ and the ministry of Christ's people, including the ministry of Stephen Ministers. "Christ caring for People through People"