What is a Stephen Minister?
Stephen Ministers are lay congregation members trained to provide one-to-one care to those experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or relocation.
Stephen Ministers come from all walks of life, but they all share a passion for bringing Christ’s love and care to people during a time of need.
Read More Stephen Minister Stories Here
What Stephen Ministers Do
After being matched with a person experiencing a life crisis, the Stephen Minister meets with that person on a weekly basis to listen, care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support. The caring relationship lasts as long as the need for care exists.
People often ask, “What exactly is a Stephen Minister?” One way to put it is that Stephen Ministers are the After People, Read More
A Life-Changing Experience for the Care Receiver
Stephen Ministers have cared for over one-and-a-half million people in one-to-one caring relationships—and they have touched countless more lives with compassionate understanding and encouragement.
- Watch videos of people describing the life-changing care they received from a Stephen Minister.
How might you discern a call to become a Stephen Minister?
We are looking for individuals who feel called to serve in a confidential one-on-one ministry of being present, listening and walking with someone through a difficult time. The discernment process includes the completion of a Stephen Ministry Application, a conversation with ministry leaders, and, especially, prayer. We are currently welcoming applications for training.
Preparation for this ministry requires participation in fifty (50) hours of Stephen Ministry Training, completion of Safe Church Training, and faithful participation in on-going peer supervision. Training classes will be held weekly, primarily on Monday evenings 6:30 – 9:00 pm. If you'd like more information REGISTER HERE or if you have any questions, please contact Becca Morehous, Assisting Minister for Pastoral Care or Rev. Philip DeVaul, Rector.
For Stephen Ministers and Leaders
This secure section has tools and resources for our Stephen Ministry Ministers and Leaders. Use the buttons to the right to access forms and see below for the Supervision and Continuing Ed schedules.
Stephen Minister Job Description
What Stephen Ministers Do
A defined cluster of activities make up a Stephen Minister's job description.
Pray
Stephen Ministers pray daily for their care receivers and strive to worship God always in word and deed. They reveal the love of God to those who most need to see it.
Care for the Care Receiver
Stephen Ministers are assigned to care receivers - people in crisis who need caring …
The Ministry of Listening
Think of a time when you really felt cared for. Chances are someone focused on what you had to say, was attentive to your needs, and listened to how you felt instead of telling you how you should feel or what you should do.
Listening is one of the most powerful ministry tools at your disposal. It demonstrates that you care about the other person. In Stephen Ministry, a great deal…
Read More »The Importance of Confidentiality in Stephen Ministry
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of Stephen Ministry because it is absolutely essential for building safe, healing, caring relationships.
Stephen Ministry is confidential. Stephen Ministers don't reveal what their care receivers have told them. Not to the pastors, not to the Stephen Leaders, not to their spouses or friends, and not to other Stephen Ministers.
Why? Because trust is …
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