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| Stephen Ministry |  |
Do you need to talk to someone who knows how to listen?
Would you like to talk with a qualified person about a personal situation in your life? Are you looking for a caring person to help you through a personal crisis? Stephen Ministry is a free and confidential program that provides one-to-one Christian care to hurting people in and around our congregation.
How can I tell if I really need to talk?
- Am I confused about events in my life?
- Do I feel like I have lost control of my life and my problems?
- Do I often feel overwhelmed?
- Do I doubt God’s presence and love for me?
- Am I hurting?
- Do my job worries seem too great to handle? Are they getting me down?
- Am I feeling lonely? Do I often wish I had someone to share my thoughts with?
- Have there been changes in my life that have caused readjustments in my lifestyle?
- Am I having difficulty making decisions and finding answers?
- Have I recently suffered a loss?
- Do I ever feel like I just want someone to listen?
If these questions echo your thoughts, a Stephen Minister may be able to help. Learn more about Stephen Ministry at WHPC by reading the answers to these questions on this website:
What is Stephen Ministry?
Who is a Stephen Minster?
How does the Stephen Series work?
Isn’t it up to the pastors to provide this kind of care?
How are Stephen Ministers trained?
Are Stephen Ministers ordained?
How effective is this program?
Will the Stephen Minister “preach” to me?
After the initial training, do Stephen Ministers normally work on their own?
Is what I tell a Stephen Minister kept in confidence?
What if I am too embarrassed to talk about my difficulties and concerns?
What kind of needs does Stephen Ministry address?
How long does a care giving relationship last?
How are Stephen Ministers assigned?
Are Stephen Ministry Continuing Education sessions open to the congregation and community?
Who are the Stephen Ministers at WHPC?
What is Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministry is a non-denominational program designed to equip lay persons to provide emotional and spiritual support during difficult times. Stephen Ministers are men and women trained to listen without offering unwanted advice. They listen patiently, without judging, and can assist you in identifying feelings you are experiencing. These volunteer lay people have completed extensive training and participate in continuing education. When appropriate, a Stephen Minster can help you explore what resources are available to you.
Stephen Ministry began in 1975 when the Rev. Kenneth C. Haugk, Ph.D., a pastor and clinical psychologist, trained nine lay persons at his congregation in St. Louis to be Stephen Ministers. They assisted him in providing distinctively Christian care to members of the congregation and community. These trained caregivers were so enthused about their ministry, they encouraged Dr. Haugk to offer Stephen Ministry to more congregations.
Dr. Haugk founded the Stephen Ministries organization and developed the Stephen Series, which has now been implemented in more than 9,000 congregations representing more than 100 Christian denominations.
Stephen Ministry is grounded in Jesus’ command to love one another. The name, Stephen Ministry, comes from the name of the Apostle Stephen who was commissioned in the early Church to support those in need.
Stephen Ministries' Core Purpose is summed up in the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians:
"To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12-13).
Who is a Stephen Minister?
Stephen Ministers are committed Christian men and women who:
- Express God’s care through their lives to others
- Receive 50 hours of initial training in important caring ministry skills and concepts
- Are commissioned as Stephen Ministers after completing their initial training
- Visit his or her “care receiver” regularly and dependably, offering Christian support and care
- Participate in regular support and supervision under the guidance of trained Stephen Leaders
- Are committed to preserving the confidential nature of the caring relationship
- Serve for at least two years
- Receive continuing education and skill-building throughout their years of service
How does the Stephen Series work?
Members from a congregation attend a seven-day Leader’s Training Course, taught by the Stephen Ministries St. Louis faculty, to learn how to implement and direct the Stephen Series in their congregations. These trained Stephen Leaders then return to their congregations to administer a Stephen Ministry program.
Stephen Leaders recruit and select lay people from the congregation to serve as Stephen Ministers and provide them with 50 hours of training in Christian care giving. Some of the training topics include listening, feelings, assertiveness, confidentiality, and ministering to people in specific situations such as divorce, terminal illness, grief, and childbirth. Stephen Ministers are also trained to recognize when a care receiver’s needs go beyond the care a Stephen Minister can provide and where and how to refer the care receiver for additional care.
Upon completion of the training, these lay persons are commissioned as Stephen Ministers. Stephen Leaders then link each Stephen Minister with a care receiver – a member of the congregation or community who is in need of quality Christian care. A Stephen Minister is normally assigned to only one care receiver at a time and meets with the care receiver for an average of about one hour each week.
Stephen Ministers also meet twice monthly for peer supervision and continuing education. Stephen Ministers initially commit to two years of service, but after those years many recommit to serve additional years.
Isn’t it up to the pastors to provide this kind of care?
It is not the purpose of Stephen Ministry to take over the duties of the pastors, but to assist and extend the reach of the pastors. In most cases, referrals for a Stephen Minister come from the pastors.
A commonly used phrase to describe the role of Stephen Ministry is that “Stephen Ministry begins when the last casserole is sent home.” In other words, Stephen Ministers begin their work after friends and relatives have returned to their lives – and the person in need is still hurting. A Stephen Minister remains in the caring relationship as long as the need is present. By assigning a Stephen Minister to someone experiencing a difficult time, it simply allows the person to receive the kind of ongoing, long-term care that is needed. Pastors will continue to care about congregants and pray for them. Even those people who have a Stephen Minister should feel free to contact a pastor when there is a need.
How are Stephen Ministers trained?
Stephen Leaders are trained in a week-long intensive course taught by pastors and clinical psychologists from the Stephen Ministries St. Louis. They, in turn, provide 50 hours of instruction for Stephen Ministers in their home churches. This training includes:
- How to listen
- How to deal with feelings
- How to be professional
- How to express honesty, warmth, and care
- How to help in times of crisis
- How to minister to those dealing with grief, divorce, death and dying, depression, illness, aging, hospitalization, and many other areas
A Stephen Minister is not…
- A professional counselor or therapist
- A social worker
- A problem-solver
- An expert in church doctrine
- A casual visitor
Are Stephen Ministers ordained?
No. They are lay persons who feel moved by the Holy Spirit to serve as instruments for bringing God’s love to persons in need. Following training, these men and women are commissioned by a pastor into this active, caring ministry.
How effective is this program?
When people experience loss, grief, or other stressful changes in their lives, there is usually need for an empathetic listener. Family and close friends are often too emotionally involved to meet this need. Stephen Ministers are trained to be caring Christian friends who can help hurting individuals sort out options. They do not give advice or provide solutions. Stephen Ministers are not professional counselors, psychologists, social workers, or experts in law, finance, church doctrine, and so on, but neither are they merely superficial visitors. God is viewed as providing the cure while Stephen Ministers provide the care.
Most people find that they are helped, at least to some degree, simply by having someone with whom they can share their concerns. In some instances, the Stephen Minister may suggest a referral to an appropriate professional.
Will the Stephen Minister “preach” to me?
No. When (and if) you decide that it is appropriate, the Stephen Minister will share with you Christian resources such as prayer and scripture readings.
After their initial training, do Stephen Ministers normally work on their own?
All commissioned Stephen Ministers meet in small groups twice a month for purposes of ongoing evaluation, supervision and continuing education. Quality care requires that such a provision be made to insure continuity and accountability, as well as mutual support for care givers. Of course, confidentiality is rigidly respected and maintained. Names and details of care receivers’ situations are not discussed during these supervision sessions.
Is what I tell a Stephen Minister kept in confidence?
Stephen Ministers pledge a vow of confidentiality regarding anything discussed between an individual and their Stephen Minister. The only exceptions are when a possible suicide or harm to another person exists. The reputation and integrity of the Stephen Ministry program depends on that vow of confidentiality.
There may, on occasion, be times when a care receiver is asked to give permission for the Stephen Minister to consult with a pastor or a Stephen Leader about how to most effectively provide care. This would be similar to a family doctor consulting with a specialist.
What if I am too embarrassed to talk about my difficulties and concerns?
Stephen Ministers have been trained to be non-judgmental and to accept you exactly as you are. In fact, they have probably felt much this same kind of embarrassment at one time or another. While it may be difficult at first, a Stephen Minister can help you learn to get over embarrassment so that you can go on from there.
What kind of needs does Stephen Ministry address?
Needs that can be met by a Stephen Minister include, but are not limited to:
- Hospitalization
- Declining health, disability, or terminal illness
- Illness of a loved one
- Death of a loved one
- Divorce or separation from a spouse
- Severe financial setback
- Difficulties associate with aging
- Transition to assisted living or nursing homes
- Family or domestic problems
- Isolation
- Loneliness
- Depression
- Job crisis
- Childbirth or adoption
- Moving into or out of the community
- Retirement
- Struggles in faith
- Intense stress or another overwhelming burden
How long does a care giving relationship last?
That depends entirely upon the circumstances. This program is set up to work with people for however long is necessary and appropriate. Many people do notice an immediate lessening in their level of stress from the beginning because they have taken this step and because there is a skilled, caring person willing to work with them.
How are Stephen Ministers assigned?
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulty in your life, you are invited to talk with:
Pastor Carol Friesen (327-1116)
or one of the Stephen Leaders –
Paul Friesen
Anita Glickert
Susan Whiteside
Nancy Malloy
They are prepared to explain Stephen Ministry and answer questions you may still have after reading this information. A friend, a relative, or another pastor can also make the referral on your behalf. All contacts are made only with the person’s permission.
After your request has been received, a Stephen Leader will contact you to learn a little more about your situation so that a Stephen Minister who best fits your needs can be assigned to meet with you on a regular basis. If you are open to a Stephen Minister and one is available, arrangements will be made for that person to contact you to set up your first meeting together.
Are Stephen Ministry Continuing Education sessions open to the congregation and community?
Yes! Continuing Education sessions are held monthly at WHPC and everyone is invited to attend. Community professionals address a wide range of issues from care of the elderly to divorce to forgiveness. The hour-long sessions include a presentation followed by a question and answer time. Resource materials on the topic are typically made available as well. Click here for a schedule of Continuing Education sessions currently scheduled.
Who is the leadership for Stephen Ministry at WHPC?
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Paul Friesen
Rev. Carol Friesen
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Anita Glickert
Nancy Malloy
Susan Whiteside
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Advisor to the Stephen Ministry program:
Sam Cangelosi
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