MYTH #4: A prospective care-giver might think, "I'm not needed as a Stephen Minister since everyone here seems to be doing fine - better I put my energy in something else."

There are times when it would be a blessing to have more Stephen Ministers available. There are times when we worry that care receivers are shying away. We have not had to turn any care receivers away so far, but we have come close. Our female Stephen Ministers have even taken on more than one care receiver at a time. That has usually been short-lived. Meanwhile, our male Stephen Ministers have not yet had much opportunity to serve a male care receiver. In general, we want to have care-givers ready when the care-receivers need them. We can't predict timing. We aim to train and prepare in advance.

The time is right for our Stephen Ministry Program to train more Stephen Ministers whenever three or four are ready to commit to it. But when is the time right for you to step forward to be trained? It will be something inside you that tells you. It will be a call. It may be a simple intrigue or interest that persists in wanting to be a help to others . . . maybe a feeling that this is something you are meant to do . . . perhaps a sense that this is some way you can give back for the support and love you have gotten from God and the community of believers. Just pay attention and don't ignore the urging from within. Do something about it.

What can you do? Talk to anyone in the Stephen Ministry team to find out more about what a Stephen Minister does. Prayerfully consider what you can offer as a Stephen Minister.

Glenn Wolfgang