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 Is Stephen 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.
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.
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.
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