WHAT IS STEPHEN MINISTRY?
Stephen Ministry derived its name from St. Stephen, the first lay person commissioned by the apostles to provide caring ministry to those in need as recorded in Acts 6:1–7. Stephen Ministers are trained and supervised leaders from our congregation; commissioned to provide one–on–one Christian care to people facing life challenges or difficulties.
Stephen Ministers are a group of leaders our Pastor and Ministerial staff can rely on in caring for a large congregation. Stephen Ministry is having someone available to help you sort through a tough situation.
Stephen Ministers are the caregivers. Stephen Ministers have completed 50 hours of training in Christian care giving. Additionally, Stephen Ministers receive on–going training covering specialized areas in ministering to the divorced, hospitalized, bereaved and aging.
Care receivers are the recipients of Stephen Ministers’ care giving. Care receivers are people from our church who are experiencing divorce, loss of job, loneliness, hospitalization, terminal illness, grief, or an endless list of other life challenges or difficulties.
Trust is essential to a caring relationship; Stephen Ministers are people you can trust. Confidentiality is one of the most important principles of Stephen Ministry. What a care receiver tells his or her Stephen Minister is kept in strictest confidence.
If you are seeking guidance for an overwhelming situation and would like to talk to someone in confidence, please contact one of our ministers to assist you in finding a Stephen Minister by calling 205 321–1143.