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Stephen Ministry

What is Stephen Ministry?

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 experiencing life difficulties.

Become a Stephen Minister
The Spectrum of Care - Stephen Ministries

FAQs

Stephen Ministry is appropriate for people experiencing:

  • grief
  • divorce
  • cancer
  • hospitalization
  • physical rehabilitation
  • long-term care
  • chronic illness
  • terminal illness
  • job loss
  • loss of a home
  • military deployment
  • the onset of a disability
  • spiritual crisis
  • many other life struggles

Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation trained to provide one-to-one, Christ-centered care. They have a compassionate heart for those who are hurting, and they’re equipped with caring ministry skills by our congregation’s Stephen Leaders. A Stephen Minister typically has one care receiver at a time and meets with that person once a week to listen, care, pray, encourage, and offer emotional and spiritual support.

Stephen Leaders are the lay leaders, church staff members, and pastors who are equipped to oversee Stephen Ministry in our congregation. Stephen Leaders have gifts and skills in areas such as leadership, teaching, and organizing people, along with a heart for caring ministry.

In Acts 6, Stephen was among those chosen to provide caring ministry to those in need. Since Jesus’ time, caring ministry has been a hallmark of the Christian faith community.

There is no fee to have a Stephen Minister.

Take Your Next Step

Are you interested in becoming a Stephen Minister? Stephen Minister training is a Christ-centered experience that equips participants with essential caring and relating skills. Trainees learn how to listen to, care for, and walk with those going through difficult times in life.

Stephen Ministers are trained by their congregation’s Stephen Leaders using resources from Stephen Ministries St. Louis. The training they receive in the congregation equips them to provide high-quality care to people who are hurting.

Complete the application linked here, and submit it to us. We will follow up with you as soon as possible.

Stephen Minister Application

    How long have you been a member of our congregation?

    Describe the reasons you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister.

    What spiritual gifts or strengths do you believe God has given you that would help you serve effectively as a Stephen Minister?

    In what ways do you think you would benefit personally from training and serving as a Stephen Minister?

    Based on your current understanding of what it means to be a Stephen Minister, what about this role do you think would be challenging for you?

    How would people who know you describe the way you relate to others?

    Becoming a Stephen Minister involves serving faithfully for a period of no less than two years, which includes:

    • Stephen Minister initial training (twenty 2½-hour sessions, for a total of 50 hours);

    • weekly, in-person visits with your care receiver for about an hour, as agreed upon with the care receiver; and

    • twice-monthly Small Group Peer Supervision and continuing education.

    How willing and able are you to commit to these expectations? What changes might you need to make in your life in order to fulfill this commitment?

    Briefly describe your relationship with Jesus Christ.

    Provide three references. These should be people who are not members of this congregation and not members of your family. One of these references may be a pastor from a previous congregation.

    Have you ever trained and served as a Stephen Minister or Stephen Leader at another congregation?

    If yes, where and when did you serve? Include the name and phone number of a pastor and/or Stephen Leader there whom we can contact.

    Have you ever received treatment for any mental health issue?

    If yes, someone from the Stephen Leader Team will speak with you about this so the team may better understand its significance in your life and ministry. Note: Many people become involved in caring ministry because of the care they have received, including care from mental health professionals. The Stephen Leader Team needs this information in order to provide the best support possible for our Stephen Ministers.

    Have you ever been charged with a crime?

    If yes, explain in detail. Someone from the Stephen Leader Team will speak with you about this so the team may better understand its significance in your life and ministry.

    Please read and sign below. The information I have provided in this application is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I agree to participate in Stephen Ministry training, Small Group Peer Supervision, and Stephen Minister continuing education; to be accountable to my congregation’s Stephen Leader Team and pastoral leadership in my service; and to function within the boundaries of Stephen Ministry as adopted by my congregation. I give permission for the congregation, if it deems necessary, to call my references, secure a background check on me, and consult with the treating mental health professionals regarding the nature of any mental health care I have received.

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    Coming soon: Stephen Ministry at Lifesong Church will offer confidential, one-to-one, Christ-centered care, connecting individuals with trained Stephen Ministers who have already supported more than 1.5 million people through life’s most difficult seasons.

    Ask me about Stephen Ministry