A team of Parishioners providing high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people in our congregation and our community experiencing life difficulties.
Grief – Chronic or terminal illness – Job loss or transition – Divorce or separation – Marriage – Relocation – Empty nest – Spiritual struggle – Caregiver for a family member – Loneliness or discouragement – Birth, adoption, miscarriage or infertility
Who’s Involved in Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Leaders
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 in St. Louis, MO.
Stephen Ministers
Congregation members trained by their Stephen Leaders to offer care to people who are hurting. A Stephen Minister typically has one care receiver at a time and meets with that person once a week for about an hour.
Care
Receivers
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.
Stephen Ministry is Confidential.
A Stephen Minister maintains confidentiality about the care receiver’s identity and personal information, as well as the content of their conversations.
You can feel free to share openly with your Stephen Minister, knowing he or she won’t tell others about the details of your situation or your caring visits.
Some important guidelines protect both the care receiver and the Stephen Minister
Consider letting a Stephen Minister help. There is no charge and Stephen Ministers are available to meet with you or talk to you by phone. Contact Jen Pitisi at 716.218.9294 for information about how to be matched up with a Stephen Minister.