Bearing One Another’s Burdens

Summary

(Skit, “To Tell The Truth”, done before sermon.)
In a light-hearted way, this skit gives you a glimpse into Stephen Ministry, and the differences between Stephen Ministry and psychotherapy or theological education. The motivation for this ministry, as well as the training received in order to do it, grow out of love and the desire to care for each other. The underlying premise of Stephen Ministry is that we are able to care for each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. In fact, as Christians, that is what we are called to do—to bear one another’s burdens, and Stephen Ministry is one way in which we do so. There is a place for psychotherapy, and a place for theological examination and discussion, but their place is not in the mutual caring we offer each other.

The children’s story is another aspect of the motivation behind caring ministries. This story is a beautiful image of the ways in which we are tied to each other by love. In many ways, it is a good image of Stephen Ministry. Here at Berkey, we’ve been involved in this program for 5 years. However, most of the work we do is invisible—it is behind the scenes, in confidential 1:1 care. The care that is given grows out of the bonds of love which hold us together as a community. If the strings that tied us together were visible, they would form a complex web of connection, crisscrossing the sanctuary.