Stephen Ministers walk beside people who are...

• Hospitalized or terminally ill.
   
• Providing care for a family member.
   
• Grieving the loss of a loved one.
   
• In a job crisis.
   
• New to a community.
   
• In a spiritual crisis.
   
• Facing life transitions.
   
• Experiencing separation or divorce.
   
• Experiencing birth or adoption.
   
• Facing anxiety or depression.
   
• Homebound or lonely.
   
• Looking for a caring, Christian friend!

A Stephen Minister is …

• A dependable, caring Christian friend who really listens.
   
• An individual committed to walking along side of a hurting person.
   
• A lay person who has received more than 50 hours of training on how to provide distinctively Christian care.
   
• An individual committed to preserving the confidential nature of a caring relationship.
   
• An individual who participates in regular support and supervision under the guidance of trained Stephen Leaders.
   
• A person who receives continuing education and skill building in order to provide the best care possible to a care receiver.

A Stephen Minister is not …

• A counselor or therapist.
   
• An expert in law or finance.
   
• A problem-solver.
   
• A person equipped to provide physical services such as baby-sitting or meals.
   
• A casual visitor.

Stephen Ministry provides "confidential" care

Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry. Those receiving care can be sure that their identities and what transpires between them and their care givers will remain private.

The referral process

How does a hurting person connect with a Stephen Minster?

Stephen Ministry has a simple and confidential step-by-step referral process in which the entire congregation needs to be involved.

1. A person …either you, a relative, or a friend.. is hurting and in need of Christian care.
    
2. The Stephen Ministry Referrals Coordinator learns about the need for care from a pastor, the person, or the friend of the hurting individual … always with the potential care receiver's permission.
    
3. The Referrals Coordinator meets with the hurting person to talk about his or her needs and Stephen Ministry.
    
4. With the person's permission, the Referrals Coordinator assigns a Stephen Minister to meet with him or her on a weekly basis.
    
5. The Stephen Minister continues to provide distinctively Christian care for the person in the strictest confidence.

How can you support Stephen Ministry?

Pray for our Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers as they provide Christian care for others.

Remember in your prayers those who are receiving the confidential care through St. Paul's program and the hundreds of Stephen Ministry programs throughout the world.

Tell Stephen Leaders about those who might benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister…be sure to get that person's permission first! It is the role of the entire congregation to help identify needs which can be addressed through Stephen Ministry. This is the congregation's ministry.

Receive Stephen Ministry when you are in need of supportive Christian care.

Consider serving as a Stephen Minister.

Support Stephen Ministry with your financial contributions to fund leadership training, continuing education opportunities, and resources, such as a literature and video library available to Stephen Ministers and their care receivers.    

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Last updated on Sunday, May 9, 2010 by Liz Saul, Website Administrator.