Stephen Ministry     

The Stephen Ministry Program is a nondenominational effort that includes over 100 denomination and over 7800 enrolled congregations.  It is a lay caring one-to-one confidential ministry by trained parishioners. 

Stephen Ministers are committee Christian people who ...

• express God's care through their lives to others;
• receive 50 hours of initial training in important caring ministry skills and concepts;
• are commissioned as Stephen Ministers after completing their initial training;
• visit another person regularly and dependably and offer Christian support and care;
• participate in regular support and supervision under the guidance of trained Stephen Leaders;
• are committed to preserving the confidential nature of the caring relationship;
• serve for at least two years;
• receive continuing education and skill building through their years of service.

STEPHEN MINISTRY

Characteristics of a Stephen Minister

          Henry J.M. Nouwen wrote the little book The Wounded Healer, which describes the way that those encountering wounded fellow Christians in their congregation or community can use their own wounds to help those in need.

          The following quote from him, I think, best describes the Stephen Ministry relationship:

When we honestly ask which persons in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not-knowing, not-curing, not-healing, and face with us the reality of our powerlessness … makes it clear that whatever happens in the external world, being present to each other is what really matters.

If you would like to grow in your faith, please consider Stephen Ministry, whether as a care-receiver or a care-giver.

For more information, please refer to the rainbow-colored brochures in your pew racks, or possibly better yet, talk with past or present Stephen Ministers and the following Stephen Leaders: Associate Pastor Pat Baxter, Leon Entringer, Joyce Huber, Bill Madsen, Norm Metz, or Joanne Moum.