The Stephen Ministry
There are many people within our congregation who need someone to listen and pray with them as they go through difficult times in their life. Stephen Ministers are trained lay people who offer the confidential Christian love and support people seek. For more information contact Sue Seifried at 355-1834.

What is it?
How does it work?
What needs does it meet?

What is Stephen Ministry?

Stephen Ministry is Grounded in Jesus' command to love one another. Through one-on-one caring relationships, those who are hurting recieve the love and gare they need to support them.

• Is life more than you can handle alone right now?
• Are your health, your attitudes, or your relationships suffering?
• Are you adjusting to a new job, change in marital status, a serious illness, the death of a loved one, a recent move?
• Would you like to have someone in your life who really cares?

Everyone goes through difficult times. Having someone to care, to listen, to share God's love with you can help you get through the confusion, stress, or loneliness you may be experiencing.

 

A Stephen Minister is...

• A child of God who walks beside a hurting person;
• A caring Christian friend who really listens;
• A lay person who has received 50 hours of training in how to provide distinctively Christian care.

A Stephen Minister is not...

• A counselor or therapist ;
• A problem-solver;
• A casual visitor.

 

How does the referrals process work?

A person—either you, a relative, or a friend—is hurting and is in need of Christian care.

• The Stephen Ministry Referrals Coordinator learns about this need for care from the pastor, the person, or a friend, always with the person's permission.
• The Referrals Coordinator meets with the person to talk about Stephen Ministry.
• With the person's permission, the Referrals Coordinator assigns a Stephen Minister to meet on a weekly basis with the person.
• The Stephen Minister continues to provide distinctively Christian care for the person with strict confidentiality

 

What kinds of needs does Stephen Ministry address?

Stephen Ministry addresses the needs of people who are...

• hopitalized;
• grieving the loss of a loved one;
• lonely;
• depressed;
• separated or in the process of divorce;
• dying, as well as the families of those seriously ill;
• experiencing job loss or financial setback;
• burdened with the daily care of another person;
• struggling with their faith.