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Order of St Stephen
This Order is named after a man called Stephen who was appointed by the twelve apostles during their work in the life of the church. He was a man of both grace and power who accepted the challenge of serving God by caring for people in the church in Jerusalem. This left the apostles free to devote more time to preaching the gospel. Stephen was stoned to death for speaking out about his faith and criticising those who turned away from God. (For more information, read Acts Ch 6 & 7).
A Call to Serve God
The Order of St. Stephen started in Australia in 1950 as a fellowship for those who wanted to serve God in a voluntary capacity. Since that time , many people have completed a year of service and become members of the Order. Gods calls people of all ages and skills to serve in different ways. Giving one year or more in a voluntary capacity is one way of making a response to God. If you think that God wants you to serve in this way then you can apply to become a candidate for the Order of St. Stephen.
Deciding how to Serve
There are a lot of different ways that you can serve. The possibilities include:
- Congregation or Presbytery
- Clerical and administrative work
- Family / Children / Youth Ministry worker - Synod and Assembly - Administration, publicity, clerical duties or special project work in the office of a Synod Unit
- Service in remote parts of Australia through special mission projects, using skills such as teaching, nursing, accountancy, social work, secretarial and trade.
- NCYC (National Christian Youth Convention )
The opportunities available may vary depending on which synod you apply in.
Other Areas
If you know of a community project that a church is involved in, or reflects what you believe God is calling you to be involved in,then you should discuss this with your Synod Coordinator. In special circumstances, work outside the formal church network can be considered if financial support is available.
Finding a Place to Serve
The Coordinator an Committee of the Order of St. Stephen in your Synod will do the best to find a place where your skills may be used. If there is no immediate opportunity available, they will continue to seek an opening for you. When a place is found, the Coordinator and Committee will ensure that the terms and conditions of service are appropriate.
The Cost of Living
The agency that employs you will be required to provide:
- board and lodging or a cash payment equivalent to the cost of rent and food
- travel allowance to cover the cost of transport to and from work
- a small personal allowance
- workers compensation protection
- health insurance or equivalent cash towards existing health cover to provide basic medical and hospital cover reimbursement of approved costs incurred through work
- if relocation costs associated with appointment to your area of service are incurred, they should be discussed with the Coordinator in your Synod
If you have any other continuing financial commitments during your period of service these should also be discussed with your Synod Coordinator.
Membership of the Order
During the period of service, you, the applicant, will be known as a candidate. To mark the beginning of your period of service, a commissioning service of worship will be held, probably in your home church.
On the satisfactory completion of one full year full-time service (or part-time equivalent, approved by the Synod Committee), you become eligible for admission to the Order of St. Stephen.
A Service of Worship is held typically in your work place to mark your admission to the Order and you are presented with the badge of the Order and a certificate to indicate the service that you have completed.
Continuing Support
While you are engaged in your year of service, the Synod Coordinator and committee are available to you for help and advice if needed. In the place where you serve, there will be:
- a supervisor who will provide progress reports per year
- workshops which are - conducted throughout the year, to promote input and support from fellow candidates
These support roles are based on the Victorian Synod model only and may vary depending on the Synod you apply in.
More Information
If you would like to know more about the Order of St. Stephen, please contact the Office responsible in your Synod on:
- VIC (03) 9340 8815
- WA (08) 9388 3150
- QLD (07) 3377 9782
- SA (08) 8212 4066
- NSW (02) 8267 4320
- TAS (03) 6331 9784
- NT (08) 8981 8444
