FAQ

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Stephen Ministry

What is Stephen Ministry?

Stephen Ministry is a ministry in our congregation in which trained and supervised lay persons, called Stephen Ministers, provide one-to-one confidential Christian care to individuals facing life challenges and difficulties.

 Who is Involved?

The Stephen Ministry is grounded in the promise that God is the curegiver, freeing and empowering Stephen Ministers to focus on giving care.

 Stephen Ministers are the caregivers.  They have been through 50 hours of training in Christian caregiving, including general topics such as listening, feelings, boundaries, assertiveness, and using Christian resources in caregiving.  In addition, their training covered specialized topics such as ministering to individuals who are grieving, hospitalized, requiring long-term care, and aging.  Our congregation currently has eight active Stephen Ministers: Lyn Boyd, Ruth Dingman, Nila Fenton, Jill Guthrie, Own Irish, Janet Meddaugh, Mike McMahon, and Susan McMahon.

 Care Receivers are the recipients of Stephen Ministers’ care.  They are men and women from our congregation and community who are experiencing divorce, grief, loss of a job, loneliness, hospitalization, terminal illness, or any of an endless number of life difficulties.  Stephen Ministers usually meet with their care receivers once a week for about an hour for as long as the care receiver will benefit by the relationship.

 Stephen Leaders are the individuals who oversee and direct our congregation’s Stephen Ministry.  They recruit, select, train, organize, and supervise our Stephen Ministers, identify men and women in need of care, and match them with a Stephen Minister.  We currently have three Stephen Leaders: Barbara Cruse, June Dempsey, and Richard Early.

 Are Stephen Ministers Counselors?

Stephen Ministers are not counselors; they are trained and supervised lay caregivers.  They listen, understand, accept, and pray with and for care receivers who are working through a crisis or a difficult time.  Stephen Ministers’ role is to care.  Stephen Ministers are also trained to recognize when a care receiver’s need exceeds what the Stephen Ministry can provide.  When that happens they work with the Stephen Leaders and the care receivers to help them receive the level of care they need.

 How Can Someone Receive Care from a Stephen Minister?

If you could benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister, you can speak confidentially with Dr. Murphy, Rev. Downs, or with a Stephen Leader. 

 How Can Someone Become a Stephen Minister?

Begin by talking with one of our Stephen Leaders or Stephen Ministers and they can tell you more.  New training classes begin each January.