Stephen Ministry
Christ Caring | For People | Through people
What Is Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministry offers a proven and effective way to organize, equip, and supervise a team of congregation members—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people in the congregation and the community experiencing life difficulties.
Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2,NRSV).
What do they do?
Stephen Ministry offers a proven and effective way to organize, equip, and supervise a team of congregation members—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people in the congregation and the community experiencing life difficulties.
What Types of Needs Does Stephen Ministry Meet?
Stephen Ministry offers a proven and effective way to organize, equip, and supervise a team of congregation members—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people in the congregation and the community experiencing life difficulties.
Grief
Pregnancy, Birth, Post Birth Challenges
Long Term illness, chronic condition, disability
Major life transition (relocation, blended family, empty nest, retirement, move to assisted living)
Job Loss
Family caregiver stress
Divorce, breakup, broken Relationship
Financial Difficulties
Military Deployment of a loved one
The aftermath of a natural or human-caused disaster
End of Life, Hospice
Infertility, Miscarriage
A Major Medical Crisis
Stephen Ministry Frequently Asked Questions | FAQs
What is Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry offers a proven and effective way to organize, equip, and supervise a team of congregation members—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people in the congregation and the community experiencing life difficulties.
Who’s Involved in Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Leaders are church staff, lay leaders, and pastors trained to provide ongoing leadership for their congregation’s Stephen Ministry. They are equipped for this key role through the Bridge Leader’s Training Course offered by Stephen Ministries St. Louis.
Who are the Stephen Ministers?
Stephen Ministers are congregation members trained by their Stephen Leaders to offer care to people who are hurting. A Stephen Minister typically has one care receiver at a time and meets with that person once a week for about an hour.
How are Stephens Ministers trained?
Stephen Minister training teaches principles and skills that equip you to provide high-quality, Christ-centered emotional and spiritual care to others.
– gives you new insight into the thoughts, feelings, and actions of people who are hurting.
– equips you with relational and caring skills you can apply to all aspects of your life.
– helps deepen your faith as the Holy Spirit fashions you into a Christ-centered caregiver.
– builds a special bond of Christian community and camaraderie among all those in your class.
– is highly interactive, engaging, and a lot of fun!
Why the name Stephen?
In Acts 6, Stephen was among those chosen to provide caring ministry to those in need. Since Jesus’ time, the caring ministry has been a hallmark of the Christian faith community.
Intercessor Stephen Ministry
Mission-Focused Actions That Are Central to Your Stephen Ministry
- Equipping People to Use Their Gifts in Ministry
- Helping People Grow in Their Health
- Providing Care and Support for Hurting People
- Building Up the Congregation as a Caring Community
- Reaching Unchurched People with the Love of Jesus
