STEPHEN MINISTRY
What is Stephen Ministry?
It’s a caring ministry that equips people at our church to be able to provide Christian one-on-one care to others at our church during their time of need.
Who are Stephen Ministers?
Committed Christian people who:
1. Express God’s care through their lives to others.
2. Are commissioned as Stephen Ministers after 50 hours of training in important caring ministry skills and concepts.
3. Visit another person regularly and dependably and offer Christian support and care.
4. Are committed to preserving the confidential nature of the caring relationship.
Why Would I Need a Stephen Minister?
There are times when each of us needs the care of another person, a Christian friend (a Stephen Minister). These needs include, but are not limited to those listed below.
- hospitalized
- terminally ill
- people moving into or out of our community
- Grieving a death or serious loss
- homebound and institutionalized
- job crisis
- aging or elderly
- disabilities
- life transitions
- separated or divorced
- Those needing the support of a Christian friend
- Households experiencing birth or adoption
How Does Stephen Ministry Supplement the Care Offered by Our Pastors?
Our Stephen Ministers work together with our pastors to reach more people, multiplying our Christian care giving and outreach.
People who receive care from a Stephen Minister:
1. Receive quality Christian care.
2. Come to value ministry from another lay person while continuing contact with the pastor.
3. Grow in their desire to participate in Christian community
Stephen Ministry enhances our outreach by:
Enabling our entire congregation to grow as a warm, loving, nurturing community where people are cherished and cared for by other Christians empowered/ enabled by Christ’s love.
Identifying our congregation to our community as a place where people’s needs are taken seriously. Also, creating a caring ministry where many instead of a few are offering God’s love and care in intentional, systematic ways.
I Am Interested in Becoming a Stephen Minister…What Is The Commitment?
Stephen Ministers receive approximately 50 hours of training, based on Biblical resources and drawing from the best tools of psychology and health services before beginning their caregiving work.
A two-year commitment is necessary: This includes the 50-hour training course offered in weekly evening sessions.
A book by Rev. Kenneth C. Haugk, Ph.D., founder and Executive Director of Stephen Ministries. Offers a Way to Offer Help and Hope to Those Facing Cancer. All too often we hear that someone we know is facing cancer. A friend, relative, or neighbor—or a colleague, church member, customer, patient, care receiver, or client—receives the devastating news of a cancer diagnosis. During such a difficult time, we want to reach out with support and care, to offer help and hope. But how?