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.

Stephens ministry
Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2,NRSV).
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What Is Stephen Ministry?

stephens ministry

Stephen Leaders

Stephen Leaders are your friends and neighbors trained at a Leader’s Training Course to provide ongoing leadership for their congregation’s Stephen Ministry.

stephens ministry

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.

stephens ministry

Care receivers

Care receivers are individuals in the congregation or community who are going through a crisis or life difficulty. Potential care receivers first meet with a pastor or Stephen Leader, who assesses their needs for care and matches them with a Stephen Minister. The caring relationship lasts for as long as the need persists.

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.

Written Stories about Stephen Ministry in Action

Here are additional Stephen Ministry stories that you can share with your congregation.

Stephens Ministry
“I Began to Feel God’s Love Again”
A young woman describes how her caring relationship with her Stephen Minister allowed her to experience Jesus in a personal, tangible, life-transforming way.
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“I’m So Grateful for Stephen Ministry!”
A man shares how he and his Stephen Minister built a highly trusting relationship, apart from his regular circle of friends, so that he could move forward through a tough time in his life.
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“On the Front Lines of Care”
The story of an Army captain who lost his foot in an explosion in Iraq, trained as a Stephen Minister, and later returned to active duty better equipped to care for the soldiers under his command.
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“A Steady Reminder of God’s Presence”
A woman tells how having a Stephen Minister during a family crisis gave her a spiritual anchor and the opportunity to focus on her own needs.
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“Care Receivers Share How Their Stephen Ministers Made a Difference”
This piece shows the wide variety of situations for which Stephen Ministers can provide care, as well as thoughts from care receivers about their experiences.
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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

Intercessor's Stephens 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