What Is The Stephen Ministry?

• A special ministry in which one Christian reaches out to another in time of need.
• A structured program of training and preparation for a caring relationship.
• An opportunity to reach out to others — the lonely, the depressed, the inactive, the bereaved, new people in town, those hospitalized and convalescing, the divorced, the aged.
• An on-going helping relationship with scheduled regularity, dependability, and confidentiality.
• A meaningful way for our church to use more fully our many talents in sharing one another’s burdens and joys.

Who Are The Stephen Ministers?

• Lay men and women from our congregation who have developed their gifts for bringing the concern and care of Christ’s community to people in need.
• People, who come from all walks of life, age ranges, and backgrounds.
• Caring and sharing Christians desiring to offer their help/support to others in time of need.
• Trained Christians — having developed their helping skills through intensive coursework.
• Dedicated Christians — commissioned by our church to confidential, in-depth caring.

Stephen ministers are not professional psychologists; experts in law, medicine, or church doctrine; or social workers. But neither are they superficial “visitors” who merely “drop-in” from time to time.

Will The Stephen Ministry Replace The Pastoral Ministry Of Our Pastors?

No! The Stephen Ministry will instead expand their ministry by providing more workers in the Body of Christ. Caregiving is certainly a pastor’s job, but the pastor often does not have enough time to minister effectively to all of the needs of the congregation. Another part of the pastor’s job is to “equip the saints”-all the members of the congregation-to provide this kind of care for one another. In so doing, the pastor greatly multiplies the caregiving that can be done.

How Are Stephen Ministers Trained?

Stephen Ministers receive approximately fifty hours of training, based solidly on Biblical testimony and drawing from the best tools of the health and psychological sciences before beginning their caregiving work. The training topics are really “Practical Theology.” Some of the topics are: The Art of Listening, How to Use the Bible with Others, Confidentiality, Ministry to the Dying, Depressed, Older Persons, Grieving, etc.
Throughout their service, Stephen Ministers receive continuing education in a variety of related subjects.

What Kind Of Commitment Will I Have To Make As A Stephen Minister?

Obviously, being a Stephen Minister will require a commitment of time and effort in the service of helping other people.

• A two-year commitment will include a 50-hour training course offered on consecutive Monday evenings from 7:00 to 9:30 PM starting on the third Monday of September and lasting until mid-March when you will be commissioned.
• After this commissioning, in addition to your service as a Stephen Minister, you will go to two meetings a month, on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month. These meetings will last at least two hours and will be held for guidance and further education.

Being a Stephen Minister will bring many
unexpected blessings into your life.

• You will grow in the understanding of your own Christian calling as well as the privilege of working closely with others in heaping relationships.
• You will experience the fellowship of a warm, loving, and caring group of people.
• You will know you are a vital part of the Body of Christ-the living church.
• The skills you receive as a part of the Stephen Ministry training are applicable not only to a lay caring ministry but also in your everyday life experiences and relationships with others.