Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion. Colossians 3:12

Stephen Ministry is a program that equips lay persons to provide distinctively Christian one-on-one care to those who are experiencing all kinds of life-needs and circumstances, both in our congregation and community.

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen Ministers are committed Christian people who:

• Express God’s care through their lives to others
• Receive 50 hours of initial training in important caring ministry skills and concepts
• Are commissioned as Stephen Ministers after completing their initial training
• Visit another person regularly and dependably and offer Christian support and care
• Participate in regular support and supervision under the guidance of trained Stephen Leaders
• Are committed to preserving the confidential nature of the caring relationship
• Serve for at least two years
• Receive continuing education and skill building throughout their years of service
• Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).

There are times when each of us needs the care of another person, a Christian friend, a Stephen Minister! The needs include but are not limited to:

• the hospitalized
• the terminally ill and their families
• people who move into or out of our community
• those grieving a death or serious loss
• the homebound or institutionalized
• prisoners, ex-offenders and their families
• those with job crisis
• the aging and elderly
• those with disabilities and their families
• those needing the support of a Christian friend
• those facing life transition
• the separated or divorced
• households experiencing birth or adoption
• those in spiritual crisis

Stephen Ministry is confidential; those receiving care can be sure that their identity and what goes on in the caring relationship will remain private.

Stephen Ministry will equip you, and our congregation will support you, so that you can show God’s mercy, care and compassion to another person who is hurting. You will walk beside your care receiver, pray for him or her, and help him or her work through life’s difficulties.

Through this ministry God will bring forth new life and renewed faith in both your care receiver and in you as a Stephen Minister. Is God calling you in this way?

What do Stephen Ministers Do?

• Listen
• Explore feelings
• Pray
• Share Christ’s love
• Maintain confidentiality
• Attend to the caregivers process and leave the results to God

To learn more about becoming a Stephen Minister, contact: Ruth Reinhold