Stephen Ministry
What is Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministry complements St. Mark's culture of becoming more like Jesus by caring for the broken. Stephen Ministry leaders attend 50-hours or training to learn how to care for others.
Why is Stephen Ministry needed?
There are more people in the community needing care than a pastor can provide in pastoral counseling. While Stephen Leaders are not mental health professionals, they are trained to provide excellent Christian care. Stephen Ministries fills a missing 'piece' in a church's ability to provide care.
Who are Stephen Ministers?
Stephen Ministers are trained care-givers to the care receivers. These ministers are community members of the church who have a heart for the hurting. Many people who become Stephen Ministers discover that the ministry is rewarding and fulfilling.
The core characteristics of Stephen Ministers are: trustworthiness, compassion, faith and skilled. The care that ministers provide to care receivers are supported by confidential peer supervision groups with Stephen Leaders.
Each Stephen Minister receives 50hrs of training over four months with Stephen Leaders. When training is completed, a Stephen Minister is ready to meet with a care receiver with a commitment of one time per week for one hour and the duration of the care is one year.
Stephen Ministry firmly believes only the best care can be provided by the confidentiality between a Stephen Minister and his/her care receiver. Each Stephen Minister is also cared for by Stephen Leader who maintains the health of each minister.
Who needs a Stephen Minister?
Anyone emotionally healthy in a time of crisis may need a Stephen Minister. Sometimes the emotional situation of a care receiver may require a mental health professional.
Any care receiver can be assured that there is also an interview process that a group of Stephen Leaders will decide the appropriate care needed. These meetings are done with careful deliberation so a care receiver is cared for in the best possible way.
Many times individuals may be going through cancer, the loss of a loved one, or a job loss. These are potential care receivers needing a minister. There isn't any cost to the care receiver and it only requires a meeting once a week with an assigned Stephen Minister.