Stephen Ministry

Hurting?

Struggling?

Discouraged?

Stressed?

Confused?

Broken?

Stephen Ministers Are Ready to Care

What is Stephen Ministry?

Our congregation's Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties in their lives.

A Stephen Minister Is...

• A child of God who walks beside the person who is hurting
• A congregation member with gifts for caregiving, who was carefully selected to serve in this role
• A lay person who has received 50 hours of training in providing emotional and spiritual care
• A caring, Christian friend who listens, cares, prays, supports, and encourages
• Someone who will "be there" for his or her care receiver, meeting faithfully for about an hour each week, for as long as there's a need.

Stephen Ministers Care for People Facing Tough TImes

We all experience challenges in life -- times when we could benefit from the support of a caring Christian friend. Stephen Ministers are ready to provide the emotional and spiritual care we need when faced with a crisis or difficulty, such as --

• Loss of a lovd one
• Hospitalization
• Divorce or separation
• Loneliness or discouragement
• Spiritual Crises
• Unemployment or a job crisis
• A terminal illness
• Incarceration
• Aging
• Birth, adoption, miscarriage, or infertility
• A chronic illness
• Relocation
• Recovery after an accident or disadter
• And many more

Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry. The identity of those receiving care and what takes place in each caring relationship remains private.


Stephen Ministry Is Your Ministry

You play an important role in our Stephen Ministry. Here's what you can do:

• Pray for God to bring hope and healing to hurting people through our Stephen Ministry.
• Accept Care from a Stephen Minister during your time of need. God doesn't expect you to bear your burdens alone.
• Tell a friend, neighbor, coworker, or relative who is hurting about our Stephen Ministry.
• If you are a good listener and a compassionate person, prayerfully consider becoming a Stephen Minister.

Stephen Leaders are...

Trained leaders in our congregation who oversee and direct our Stephen Ministry.

• If you -- or someone you know -- could benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister ...
• If you are interested in possibly becoming a Stephen Minister ...
• If you have any other questions about Stephen Ministry ...

... talk with one of our Stephen Leaders.

Stephen Ministry Multiplies Ministry

Pastors will always be on the front lines of care, especially during times of crisis. But there are always many more needs for ongoing, one-to-one care than pastors can efectively meet by themselves.

Stephen Ministry provides a biblical solution -- equipping God's people for ministry. Gifted lay people are trained to support and extend the care that pastors continue to provide.

Stephen Ministers reach out with God's love to people who are hurting -- both congregation members and nonmembers alike.


Stephen Ministry in Our Congregation

• Could you benefit from the confidential, one-to-one care and support of a Stephen Minister?
• Do you know someone else -- perhaps a friend, neighbor, coworker, or relative -- who could benefit from Stephen Ministry?
  
• Are you interested in possibly becoming a Stephen Minister?

Then talk with a pastor or Stephen Leader -- or contact the church office -- to learn more.

Reverend Nancy Pfaltzgraf 815-436-9441
Eileen Diercks 815-436-8731

Stephen Ministries St. Louis Supports Our Congregation's Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministries is a not-for-profit Christian educational organization based in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1975, Stephen Ministries provides training and resources to thousands of congregations and organizations worldwide.

Log on to www.stephenministries.org or call (314) 428-2600 to learn more.