|
stephen ministry
|
what is a stephen minister?
Stephen Ministers are congregation members trained by Stephen Leaders to offer high-quality, one-to-one Christian care to people going through tough times. A Stephen Minister usually provides care to one person at a time, meeting with that person once a week for about an hour. Twice a month, Stephen Ministers gather with their Stephen Leaders for supervision and continuing education.
what happens if i ask for a stephen minister?
Care receivers are people—congregation members and others in the community—who receive care from a Stephen Minister. These are people struggling through a difficult time in life—experiencing grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or some other life crisis.
Some important guidelines for this caring relationship protect both the care receiver and the Stephen Minister:
Some important guidelines for this caring relationship protect both the care receiver and the Stephen Minister:
- The relationship between a care receiver and a Stephen Minister is confidential.
- Men are matched with men; women with women.
- When a care receiver’s needs exceed what a Stephen Minister can provide, the Stephen Ministry team makes a referral to an appropriate mental health professional or other community resource.
How long has stephen ministry been around?
Stephen Ministries is a not-for-profit Christian education organization founded in 1975. Congregations and other organizations use their resources to improve their ability to relate to and care for others, grow in faith, and journey through life crises. You’ll find Stephen Ministry in congregations from more than 170 Christian denominations, across the U.S. and Canada and in 30 other countries. More than one-and-a-half-million people have had a Stephen Minister to walk with them, providing one-to-one Christian care during tough times. BSLC has over 12 Stephen Ministers with more being trained.
how does someone become a stephen minister?
Stephen Minister training takes place in the congregation and is led by the congregation’s Stephen Leaders. The 20 week training combines pre-class reading, devotions, lecture, video presentation, discussion, and skill practice.
Here’s what Stephen Ministers frequently say that about their training:
Some of the things that are taught in the training are:
We have leaders who pair up care receivers with Stephen Ministers, train new leaders, coordinate and lead the bi-monthly meetings and direct the overall ministry. They would be glad to talk to anyone interested in learning more about becoming a Stephen Minister.
Here’s what Stephen Ministers frequently say that about their training:
- Stephen Minister training teaches principles and skills that equip you to provide high-quality, Christ-centered emotional and spiritual care to others.
- You gain insight into the thoughts, feelings, and actions of people who are hurting.
- You develop relational and caring skills you can apply to all aspects of your life.
- You deepen your faith as the Holy Spirit fashions you into a Christ-centered caregiver.
Some of the things that are taught in the training are:
- Maintaining Boundaries in Caregiving
- The Art of Listening
- Assertiveness: Relating Gently and Firmly
- Feelings: Yours, Mine and Ours
- Crisis Theory and Practice
- Ministering to Those Experiencing Grief, Depression, Aging, Divorce, Childbirth, Transitions and Many Others
We have leaders who pair up care receivers with Stephen Ministers, train new leaders, coordinate and lead the bi-monthly meetings and direct the overall ministry. They would be glad to talk to anyone interested in learning more about becoming a Stephen Minister.