What is Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministry is lay-caring ministry, developed by Stephen Ministries, a nonprofit religious and educational organization based in St. Louis, MO (www.stephenministries.org). Stephen Ministry training includes how to listen effectively, how to deal with feelings, how to use traditional Christian resources in caring, how to maintain confidentiality, how to deal with people experiencing crises, and many other areas of concern. It is a Christ-centered approach to caring for the whole person.
Who Benefits from Stephen Ministry?
Everybody benefits from Stephen Ministry. Those receiving care from Stephen Ministers benefit because they receive prayer and support throughout the crisis they face. Stephen Ministers benefit through the spiritual growth they experience from being involved in meaningful ministry. Our priests benefit because caring ministry at St. Andrew’s is expanded, and fewer people will slip through the cracks. Most of all you benefit from the knowledge that special care is available to you should you need it. In addition, you now have a place where you can refer a friend, neighbor, coworker, relative, or anyone else you know who is going through a difficult time so that they can receive special care when they need it most. Stephen Ministry makes St. Andrew’s a much more caring place!
How does Stephen Ministry Work?
When someone requests a Stephen Minister, a Stephen Leader will meet with that person, explain what Stephen Ministry is, and help determine whether Stephen Ministry is the kind of care that person needs. The care receiver is then matched with one of our available Stephen Ministers. The Stephen Minister will then call the care receiver and begin meeting with him/her for around an hour each week as long as the need is there. Everything a care receiver says to the Stephen Minister is kept confidential. The Stephen Minister doesn’t try to solve problems; rather, the Stephen Minister listens, cares, prays, and helps the care receiver find a path to healing and wholeness.
Who are Stephen Ministers?
Stephen Ministers are members of St. Andrew’s who have gone through 50 hours of training in providing high-quality Christian care to individuals experiencing a crisis or challenge such as divorce, grief, loss of a job, hospitalization, relocation, or loneliness. If you would like more information on how to receive care from a Stephen Minister, please contact Paula Wood at 853-0425.