What is a Stephen Minister?

Our pastors are not able to minister to every person who needs care. Stephen Ministers are trained lay volunteers who are able to provide distinctively Christian care for persons.

A Stephen Minister is…

  • A trained lay volunteer
  • A good listener
  • Trained in confidentiality
  • Supervised for quality care
  • Ready to offer God’s love through a Christian caring relationship on a one-to-one and regular basis
  • A caring, Christian friend who takes the time to really listen
  • A volunteer who has received 50 hours of training in how to provide Christian care
  • Named after St. Stephen, one of the first deacons in the early Christian church, commissioned by the apostles to care for the needs of people in the Christian community
  • Aware that this is a confidential ministry in which continuous effort is made to maintain the trust between the person receiving care and the caregiver

What does a Stephen Minister do?

  • Offers Christian friendship and love
  • Listens & encourages
  • Keeps confidence
  • Prays & supports

A Stephen Minister is NOT…

  • A counselor or therapist
  • A problem-solver
  • A casual visitor
  • An errand runner
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