Stephen Ministers: The After People

By The Rev’d Dr. Jeff Trostle, Director of Pastoral Care

People often ask, “What exactly is a Stephen Minister?” One way to put it is that Stephen Ministers are the 'After People!'

Stephen Ministers are there:

• …after the phone call you hoped you’d never get.

• …after the funeral, when everyone has left and the emotions you’ve held at bay come crashing in on you.

• …after the relationship falls apart and the bottom falls out of your life.

• …after the doctor delivers news you hoped you’d never hear.

• …after retiring, when you realize the changes in your life are more than you expected.

• …after the last child honks the horn, waves, and drives away – and the house suddenly seems so empty.

• …after the baby arrives, demanding more of you than you ever dreamed possible.

• …after you find a pink slip with your final paycheck.

• …after your family and friends have heard your story one too many times, but you still need to talk it out.

Stephen Ministers are the 'After People.' They are ready to come alongside you – or someone you may know in our parish – and provide comfort, support, and a listening ear for as long after as needed.

Stephen Ministry is a confidential, one-on-one ministry to those suffering from life’s challenges. Please reach out if you need someone to trust, someone who will listen, someone who will care. Our Stephen Ministers are ready to help.

Contact Donna Trostle: StephenMinistry@StPetersFL.com

Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.
-Galatians 6:2

Body Ministry

By The Rev'd Dr. Jeff Trostle, Director of Pastoral Care

It is an oft overlooked truth that God has given each one of us a gift, maybe several, and he expects us to use those gifts to encourage others.

The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the church in Corinth because they were misusing the gifts of God, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware.”  They were using the gifts God had given them to impress others, certainly not out of love.  The idea behind this is that God gives gifts to all of us not for our own use but for the common good of the church, the body of Christ.

He went on to explain to them that the church is like the human body.  Just as our human bodies are made up of many individual parts, each part playing a role in the proper functioning of the body, so the church, Christ’s body on earth, is also made up of many individual parts, each part playing a role in the proper functioning of the church.  When one part is damaged or broken neither the human body nor the body of Christ can function properly.

Paul calls these gifts “the manifestation of the Spirit,” and tells us that God gives every one of us a gift.  “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”  God has given each one of us a role to play in the church based upon the spiritual gift(s) he has given us.  This is a very real and practical work of the Holy Spirit in each of our lives, a practical way we can experience the Holy Spirit working through us for the sake of others and for God’s glory!  In 1 Corinthians 12-14 he discusses many of the gifts which I encourage you to read. 

The body of Christ needs everyone of us to be involved using our gifts in building up one another, bearing one another’s daily burdens, consoling, comforting, admonishing, teaching one another that we are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love one another.  In this way the world will know that we are Christ’s disciples.  If we think these things should be left for clergy, then we will have a church that does not function as God intended.

This is body ministry:  Every member doing their part in using their gifts to God’s glory and the benefit of others.  If you don’t yet know what your spiritual gifts are, we can help you discover them and show you how you can utilize what God has given you.

In the coming weeks I will have more to say about the Ministries of Pastoral Care, and opportunities for you to make a difference in the lives of others.