Stephen Ministry
A Stephen Minister is...
a caring and sharing person who reaches out a supporting hand to others in need;
a trained person who has learned skills and developed gifts for bringing Christ's healing love to others who are in need;
a dedicated person who makes a significant commitment of time to attend a period of intensive training, provide a consistent, timely relationship with another in need and participate in continuing education and supervision on an ongoing basis;
a person who, after training, has been commissioned by our church to provide confidential caring within our church family.
The Stephen Ministry is...
a one-to-one caring lay ministry through which one trained, caring Christian reaches out to another in a time of need;
a distinctively Christian system of organizing, training, and supervising a ministry named after one of the first deacons in the early church, St. Stephen. It was he whom the Apostles commissioned to care for the community's needs;
a commitment to caring and supporting one another toward building a Christ-centered, sharing community; a good stewardship program in that we use more fully the many gifts, talents and generosity within our church family.
A Stephen Minister is not... an ordained minister; a professional counselor or psychologist; a provider of sitting, meal or transportation services; a visitor "touching base" with people now and then.
If you are interested in speaking with a Stephen Minister, or in being trained to become a Stephen Minister, please contact Rev. Terry Thompson at 713-528-0527.