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 and the community experiencing life difficulties.
Stephen Ministry multiplies blessings throughout the church and community.
- Congregations carry out Christ’s commandment to “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12 RSV) in a powerful and practical way.
- Pastors have a team of gifted, trained, and committed lay caregivers ready to minister to hurting people.
- Laypeople nurture and use their gifts in meaningful ministry, growing spiritually as they serve others.
- People who are hurting have a caring Christian presence to provide emotional and spiritual support.
In short, Stephen Ministry helps carry out the mission of the church.
EXPECTATIONS & DETAILS
Stephen Ministry is named after Stephen, who was one of the first lay persons the apostles commissioned to provide caring ministry to those in need (Acts 6).
Stephen Ministry began in St. Louis in 1975 and has since spread to more than 13,000 congregations from more than 190 Christian denominations, across the U.S. and Canada and in 30 other countries. More than 600,000 people have been trained as Stephen Ministers, and more than 80,000 pastors and laypersons have been trained as Stephen Leaders. More than one-and-a-half-million people have had a Stephen Minister to walk with them, providing one-to-one Christian care during tough times.
Stephen Leaders are 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 Stephen Leader Training Course offered by Stephen Ministries St. Louis.
Stephen Ministers are 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 are 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.
Potential Stephen Ministers must complete 50 hours of training. Topics include the art of listening, Christian caring and prayer, confidentiality, assertiveness, boundaries, how to begin and end a caring relationship, depression, grief and loss, ministering to the dying, job loss, and divorce.
People who need additional support and care for any of the following life situations (some suggestions, but not limited to):
- Loneliness
- Hospitalization
- Grieving the loss of a loved one
- Separated or in the process of divorce
- Terminally ill and their families
- Experiencing the loss of a job or financial setbacks
- Experiencing crises
- Facing legal difficulties
- Struggling with faith
- Separated from family
- Recovering substance abusers
- “Personal” relationship issues
- Experiencing hurt from abuse
- Adjusting to life-changing situations; retirement, stay-at-home mom, promotion, new parent, empty nester, graduating from college, etc.
- Needing someone to come alongside them during an especially difficult time – a caring soul who can help process feelings, fears, anger, or lack of faith, and provide hope.
When you request a Stephen Minister, Pastor Robb or Eric Wentling, work to place you. They review the list of available Stephen Ministers and determine who would make the best match based on factors such as work schedules and geography to facilitate meetings, potential conflicts, and your preferences (such as a request for a specific Stephen Minister). After prayerful consideration, they notify you. You have a chance to bring up any issues or concerns before the assignment is finalized and the relationship begins.
- Minors
- Couples, families, or other groups (this is a one-on-one ministry)
- Those who are suffering serious mental or emotional disturbances
- Those who are suffering from severe depression
- Those with personality disorders
- Manipulative individuals
- Those exhibiting suicidal behavior
- Those exhibiting violent behavior
- Those who need a social worker
Stephen Ministers are not equipped to work with minors or those who are at risk of hurting themselves or others. When necessary, Stephen Ministers refer their care receivers to health professionals or counselors
Everybody benefits from Stephen Ministry. Those receiving care from Stephen Ministers benefit because they receive prayer and support throughout the crisis they face.
Stephen Ministers benefit through the spiritual growth they experience from being involved in meaningful ministry.
Our pastor benefits because caring ministry at Ono is expanded. Most of all, you benefit from the knowledge that special care is available to you should you need it.
In addition, you now have a place where you can refer a friend, neighbor, coworker, relative, or anyone else you know who is going through a difficult time so they can receive special care when they need it most.
Confidentiality is the basis of all Stephen Ministry relationships. Anyone receiving care can be assured that his or her identity, and what is shared in a caring relationship, will remain private.
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of Stephen Ministry and is emphasized in both training and supervision. Stephen Ministers do not share what is discussed in their caring relationships. Only the Stephen Leader in charge of referrals know who is receiving care. If anyone else finds out, it will only be because you chose to share your experience—which you are certainly free to do if you wish. The only exception to the confidentiality rule would be if a Stephen Minister must share confidential information in order to save a life.
If you’re facing a challenge you can’t deal with on your own, or if you find yourself wearing out your friends and family with your problems, a Stephen Minister might be right for you. Stephen Ministers are specially equipped to walk with you through problems large and small.
If you need a Stephen Minister: Contact Pastor Robb or Eric Wentling (717) 679-5381. One of them will meet with you, collect information from you, and explain how the Stephen Ministry works. At that point, if the Stephen Ministry applies to your situation, a Stephen Minister will be assigned to meet with you on a weekly basis. The Stephen Minister continues to provide distinctively Christian care for you in strict confidentiality.
If a friend needs a Stephen Minister: First, talk with your friend about the Stephen Ministry program and get his or her permission. Then, contact Pastor Robb or Eric Wentling at (717) 679-5381.
Please do not surprise your friend by referring him or her without permission. Pastor Robb and/or Eric Wentling will meet with your friend, collect information from him or her, and explain how the Stephen Ministry works. At that point, if the Stephen Ministry applies to your friend's situation, a Stephen Minister will be assigned to meet with him or her on a weekly basis. The Stephen Minister will continue to provide distinctively Christian care for your friend in strict confidentiality.
Our Stephen Ministers training classes meet at different times during the week to accommodate the work and family schedules of our members. During the weekly training classes, we study listening skills and assertiveness, as well as how best to minister to someone with a particular need. Following the 50 hours of training, Stephen Ministers attend peer supervision sessions for continuing education and encouragement from other Stephen Ministers.
Anyone wanting to become a Stephen Minister should contact Eric Wentling (717) 679-5381 for more information.
ABOUT STEPHEN MINISTRY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
All Stephen Ministers participate in supervision monthly. This supervision provides support, encouragement, and accountability for each other so that they can continue to provide the highest quality care. During supervision, Stephen Ministers may discuss issues their care receivers are facing, but they never discuss their care receivers by name or give other identifying information. Only a Stephen Leader and the Pastor know who is receiving care.
Stephen Ministers are Christians who wish to share their gifts of caring, encouragement, listening, faith, mercy, and compassion. They feel called to serve others through this ministry and participate because they know that in Christ alone there is hope.
Stephen Ministers are equipped to support care receivers who are dealing with all sorts of situations. These include, but are not limited to: the loss of a loved one, divorce or separation, failed relationships, family stress, hospitalization, serious or chronic illness, aging and dying, recovery after an accident or disaster, birth, adoption, miscarriage, infertility, unemployment, job crisis, financial concerns, or relocation.
Stephen Ministers are not equipped to work with minors or those who are at risk of hurting themselves or others. When necessary, Stephen Ministers refer their care receivers to health professionals or counselors.
While you may be facing the same issue, you’re probably processing it differently. It’s beneficial for each of you to have a unique individual to work with. Stephen Ministers are most effective when they are paired with a single care receiver at a time.
We would encourage you to explore with him or her why this may be the case. A new Stephen Minister may be assigned.
That is possible, but not a requirement, as Stephen Ministers are trained to listen and help process all sorts of issues. If you request a Stephen Minister with special experience, that request will be considered during the referral process.
You and your Stephen Minister decide. Meetings typically occur once a week and last an hour, although the frequency tends to taper off to semimonthly or monthly as things improve. The location could be at church, in your home, at a restaurant, etc., wherever you feel most comfortable. Phone calls sometimes supplement the meetings, but face-to-face contact is usually most effective, especially early in the process.
You could talk, listen, laugh, cry, and pray, etc. Stephen Ministers are trained to listen, not to try and solve the problem.
As long as there is a need to meet. Stephen Minister relationships last anywhere from a few weeks to several years. As things improve, the care receiver and Stephen Minister begin to talk about closure and end their formal relationship when the care receiver is ready.
Caring relationships last as long or short as needed. Keep in mind, however, that it usually takes more than a couple of meetings to establish a trusting relationship.
No. Stephen Ministry is a gift from the Ono church to those in need.
Stephen Ministry is open to family members, friends, and neighbors who may not be members. The key criteria is ensuring that the caring relationship is safe for the Stephen Minister. We need to know enough about any potential care receiver to ensure safety.
As of February 2019, 21 people have been trained as Stephen Ministers.