What is a Stephen Minister?

• A Stephen Minister is a lay person who has been specially trained to bring Christ's love to people who are lonely, grieving, strangers, new parents, ill, or experiencing other life stresses.
• A Stephen Minister is a caring, sharing person who reaches out a supporting hand to the spiritual, social, and emotional needs of our community.
• Stephen Ministry is a one-on-one ministry; it is quiet, confidential, compassionate, and a listening witness to the caring presence of Christ and His community.
• Stephen Ministers meet year-round for training, supervision, and peer review of their work with Care Receivers. This is done in an environment of complete confidentiality. No names are ever mentioned.

What Do Stephen Ministers Do?

• Pray
• Listen
• Explore feelings
• Share Christ's love
• Maintain confidentiality
• Attend to the care giving process and leave the results to God
• Walk with people who are journeying to wholeness

What a Stephen Minister is NOT

• A social worker
• A casual visitor
• A problem solver
• A household helper
• A professional counselor or therapist
• An expert in law, finance, church doctrine, etc.

Who Should Be Referred?

• People who are lonely
• People who are depressed
• People who are hospitalized
• People who are struggling with parenting
• People who are grieving the loss of a loved one
• People who are separated or in the process of divorce
• People who are terminally ill and their families
• People who are experiencing loss of job or financial setbacks
• People who are struggling with their faith
• People who are substance abusers and/or recovering
• People who are experiencing hurt from abuse
• People adjusting to a life changing situation: retirement, stay at home mom, promotion, new parent, empty nester, graduating from college, etc.

Why is Stephen Ministry Your Ministry?

• Because you care for those who hurt - whatever the hurt may be
• Because you know God cares for those who hurt
• Because you see Stephen Ministry as a unique and effective way of bringing a faith perspective to situations which, for the moment or for a lifetime, are burdens to those who experience them
• Because, given the awareness of need in the life of a fellow church member, you would recommend that he or she seek out a Stephen Minister

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

TO REQUEST A STEPHEN MINISTER

Please call the church office and speak with one of the pastors.

ALL CALLS ARE CONFIDENTIAL