Stephen Ministry
Tess Wilfong & Elaine Berry
What Is Stephen Ministry?
Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2, NRSV).
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.
Stephen Ministers are lay congregation members trained to provide one-to-one care to those experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or relocation.
Stephen Ministers come from all walks of life, but they all share a passion for bringing Christ’s love and
care to people during a time of need.
Since 1975, more than 600,000 people from more than 13,000 congregations and other organizations have been trained as Stephen Ministers.
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.
Care Receivers Tell Their Stories
Stephen Minister Training
Stephen Minister training is an engaging, energizing experience that features a mixture of presentation, video, group discussion, skill practice, and spiritual growth activities. Since 1975, more than 600,000 Stephen Ministers have been equipped by this training to provide care to millions of people.
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!
Stephen Ministers Share about Their Training
“God gave me a heart for other people. Stephen Minister training gave me the skills I needed to minister to people and bring God’s love into their lives during a time of deep need.”
Charlotte | Manager-Care/Case Management | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
“Stephen Minister training taught me not just how to be a caregiver, but how to live life in a new way—being Christ to other
people.”
Mike | Carpenter | Kennesaw, Georgia
“Stephen Minister training has helped me grow—personally, spiritually, and professionally. I use my Stephen Minister skills all the time
with patients, peers, and physicians.”
Anna | Registered Nurse | Hendersonville, Tennessee
“Stephen Minister training has enhanced every relationship I have. Now I can listen and be there without feeling like I need to rush in
and try to fix things. (My 15-year-old finds this a great blessing!) I’m much more at peace in difficult situations because I realize that it’s not me—but Christ within me—who does the work.”
Susan | Licensed Massage Therapist | Saint Petersburg, Florida
“Stephen Minister training has given me skills I use all the time with my patients, particularly when they experience a crisis, large or
small. It enables me to provide a level of emotional care that enhances our clinical care.”
Barbara | Dental Hygienist | Saginaw, Michigan
“Stephen Minister training has helped me relate better to family, friends, neighbors—everyone I meet!”
Maria | Mother | Ridgefield, Connecticut
“One of the biggest things I learned is that it’s not about me, it’s about God. I am the caregiver, and God is the cure-giver. My job is
to listen—to really listen and care—and rely on God to bring about healing.”
Paul | College Student | Clinton, South Carolina
Interested in becoming a Stephen Minister,
please contact
Tess Wilfong or Elaine Berry at 513 242-0400 ext. 8
GIVE ONLINE
(please click on the link below)
Church of the Resurrection
is located within the
Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
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