What Is Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministry is the one-to-one ministry of trained lay men and women who offer confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting.
What Does a Stephen Minister Do?
Stephen Ministers make a time commitment. Stephen Ministers undergo 50 hours of training in active listening, confidentiality and other key skills. Twice monthly, these lay people meet for peer supervision and continuing education.
Stephen Ministers listen without judgment or pushing advice. Once commissioned, a Stephen minister provides care to one person at a time, meeting for about an hour per week. In each meeting, the Stephen Minister listens attentively to the person. As the relationship unfolds, the distinctively Christian nature of their time together may include prayer, sharing Scripture, or discussing issues related to faith.
Stephen Ministers understand their limits: Christ is the “cure-giver”, and Stephen Ministers are the “care-givers.” A Stephen minister is not a therapist, a problem-solver, errand person or casual visitor.
Who Can Have a Stephen Minister?
A few challenges that draw people to seek Stephen Ministry include, but are not limited to
- Grief
- Divorce
- Job loss
- Recent move
- Illness or the illness of a loved one
- Changes in mobility
If you have questions, you can email Stephen Ministry leaders Al Banisch, Lisa Jancarik, or Pastor Sam.