Stephen Ministry
What exactly is Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministry is a program that equips lay persons to provide distinctively Christian, one-to-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:
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion." Colossians 3:12
Who is involved?
Stephen Leaders are pastors and lay persons who have completed Stephen Series Leader's Training, and are commissioned to our congregation. Stephen Leaders can:
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 who are:
"Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2
Are Stephen Ministers counselors?
Stephen Ministers are not counselors. They are trained lay caregivers. Their role is to listen and care, not to give advice or counsel. Stephen Ministers are also trained to recognize when a care receiver's needs exceed what they can provide. When that happens they work with care receivers to help them receive the level of care they really need.
- Stephen Ministry multiplies our Christian care-giving and outreach.
Our Stephen Ministers work together with our pastors to reach more people with Christian care than pastors can by themselves. People who receiver care from a Stephen Minister:
- Stephen Ministry enhances St. John's Pastoral Care outreach by:
"Encourage one another and build one another up." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Can I trust a Stephen Minister?
Trust is essential to a caring relationship, and Stephen Ministers are people you can trust. Confidentiality is crucial in any caring relationship. The care receiver needs to know that what he or she says to the Stephen Minister will remain in confidence. Stephen Ministers maintain confidentiality and encourage other Stephen Ministers to do the same.
How you can support our congregation's Stephen Ministry?
Why the name Stephen?
The name Stephen comes from St. Stephen, who was the first lay person commissioned by the apostles to provide a caring ministry to those in need as recorded in Acts 6.
To learn more about Stephen Ministry go to Stephen Ministries Website.
Who are Stephen Minsiters at St. John's?
- Trained Stephen Leaders:
- Stephen Ministers:
Stephen Ministry is a program that equips lay persons to provide distinctively Christian, one-to-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 2 years; and,
- Receive continuing education and skill building throughout their years of service.
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion." Colossians 3:12
Who is involved?
Stephen Leaders are pastors and lay persons who have completed Stephen Series Leader's Training, and are commissioned to our congregation. Stephen Leaders can:
- Help you or someone you know receive care from a Stephen Minister;
- Tell you how to become a Stephen Minister;
- Tell you about Stephen Ministry training and our next training class; and,
- Answer other questions about our congregation's Stephen Ministry program.
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 who are:
- Hospitalized
- Terminally ill (and their families)
- Moving into or out of our community
- Grieving a death or serious loss
- Homebound and institutionalized
- In a job crisis
- Aging and elderly
- Disabled (and their families)
- Needing the support of a Christian friend
- Facing life transitions
- Separated or divorced
- Experiencing birth or adoption
- In spiritual crisis
"Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2
Are Stephen Ministers counselors?
Stephen Ministers are not counselors. They are trained lay caregivers. Their role is to listen and care, not to give advice or counsel. Stephen Ministers are also trained to recognize when a care receiver's needs exceed what they can provide. When that happens they work with care receivers to help them receive the level of care they really need.
- Stephen Ministry multiplies our Christian care-giving and outreach.
Our Stephen Ministers work together with our pastors to reach more people with Christian care than pastors can by themselves. People who receiver care from a Stephen Minister:
- Receive quality Christian care,
- Deepen their relationship with their Lord,
- Grow in their desire to participate in Chrisitan community,
- Come to value ministry from another lay person, while continuing contact with the pastor.
- Stephen Ministry enhances St. John's Pastoral Care outreach by:
- Creating a caring ministry outreach, where many are offering God's love and care in intentional, systematic ways;
- enabling our entire congregation to grow as a warm, loving, nurturing community;
- identifying our congregation to our community as a place where people's needs are taken seriously.
"Encourage one another and build one another up." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Can I trust a Stephen Minister?
Trust is essential to a caring relationship, and Stephen Ministers are people you can trust. Confidentiality is crucial in any caring relationship. The care receiver needs to know that what he or she says to the Stephen Minister will remain in confidence. Stephen Ministers maintain confidentiality and encourage other Stephen Ministers to do the same.
How you can support our congregation's Stephen Ministry?
- Pray for our Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers as they provide Christian care to others.
- Pray for all who are receiving confidential care through the care of a Stephen Minister. Be sure to get that person's permission first.
- Tell others in our community about the availability of St. John's Stephen Ministry, and teh care it can provide.
- Receive a Stephen Minister when you are in need of supportive Christian care.
- Consider serving as a Stephen Minister.
Why the name Stephen?
The name Stephen comes from St. Stephen, who was the first lay person commissioned by the apostles to provide a caring ministry to those in need as recorded in Acts 6.
To learn more about Stephen Ministry go to Stephen Ministries Website.
Who are Stephen Minsiters at St. John's?
- Trained Stephen Leaders:
- Pastor Danny Hammons
- Pastor Maria Hammons
- Karen Ermer (On Sabbatical)
- Ardi Scarborough (On Sabbatical)
- Stephen Ministers:
- Linda Wiley - Peer Group Supervisor
- Donna McDonough - Peer Group Supervisor
- Alice Teel
- Cathy Jacobs
- Karen Merrey (On Sabatical)
- Claire Miller
- Anne Crutchley (On Sabitical)