Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministers care for people facing tough times. They are lay people who have received extensive training to provide emotional and spiritual care, both within the Lakeside congregation and outside of it. Confidentiality is paramount; Stephen Ministers maintain privacy for their care receivers and regularly attend peer supervision sessions to ensure they are providing competent, compassionate support.

Stephen Ministers are well-trained listeners and spiritual companions; they are not licensed therapists and counselors. Stephen Ministers serve as an extension to Lakeside ’s pastoral staff; ministers’ support is available as long as a need exists.

Who performs this ministry?

Stephen Ministers are lay Christians selected, trained, and supervised by Stephen Leaders to provide effective Christian care to others. This involves a 2-year commitment, an initial 50+ hours of training, meeting for about an hour once a week with the care receiver for as long as the person needs this level of care, and meeting monthly for supervision and continuing education. Stephen Ministers are named after St. Stephen, one of the first deacons (servants) in the early church, commissioned by the apostles to care for the needs of people in the Christian community (Acts 6:8).

Who does the Stephen Ministry help?

Stephen Ministry assists those who are bereaved, elderly, lonely or discouraged, terminally ill and their families, home-bound or institutionalized, disabled and their families, in job crisis, affected by the loss of employment, experiencing a spiritual crisis, facing life transitions, separated or divorced, experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, affected by accidental or natural disaster, new members in the congregation or community, imprisoned and their families, parents with children leaving home, experiencing the birth or adoption of a child, single parents, experiencing the stress of moving — to name only a few life challenges! Note that some of the "needs for care" are positive events in peoples' lives - having a baby, becoming new members of a community, etc. Change of any kind, for the better, or the worse, may create a "need for care" situation.

Who is eligible to receive this caring ministry, and how can I obtain a Stephen Minister?

All are welcome and invited to receive this ministry - congregation members, their families and friends, and members of the community. A phone call to the church office begins the referral process.

What kind of care do Stephen Ministers give?

Stephen Ministers provide:

• One-to-one ministry as trained, caring church members reaching out to others in time of need
• Confidential ministry: continuous, conscious effort is expended to maintain the bond of trust between the person receiving care and the caregiver
• A caring relationship that focuses on the unique needs of each person and lasts as long as the needs exist
• Lay ministry under the guidance and supervision of a pastor and Stephen Ministry leadership team

When do Stephen Ministers enter into caring relationships with people in need?

Stephen Ministers who have completed the 50+ hours of training and are commissioned in a congregational ceremony are ready to provide care and participate in bimonthly supervision and monthly continuing education meetings. Stephen Ministers are then linked with a care receiver. Stephen Leaders prayerfully match gifts of Stephen Ministers with needs of care receivers and the caring bond quickly grows.

Why do we need lay caregivers when we have pastors, counselors, and other mental health professional?

The need for professionally trained care providers will always be required in certain situations; and, as part of their training, Stephen Ministers are taught to recognize and respect a possible need for referral. Counselors have received special training in mental health and intervention. Stephen Ministers are equipped to listen, care, and spiritually "walk with" their care receivers. Stephen Ministers work with individuals. They do not work with children, groups, or families. Since they are caregivers, not counselors, they do not work in situations that require the skills of a training helping professional. In some circumstances, Stephen Ministers will provide care to a person who is already involved with a professional, but only with that professional's knowledge and permission.

What about confidentiality?

Stephen Ministers are thoroughly trained by their Stephen Leaders to recognize the importance of confidentiality and how to maintain it.

Are lay people willing to commit to the training and supervision necessary to serve as a Stephen Minister?

This question was asked over 25 years ago when the Stephen Ministry began. The answer, for over 250,000 Stephen Ministers in 6,000 congregations, has been YES! Those candidates who are selected for the Stephen Ministry commit enthusiastically to the weekly initial training, the weekly care they provide, and monthly supervision and continuing education. A great many Stephen Ministers also continue serving beyond their first two-year commitment.

Are you interested in becoming a Stephen Minister?

Stephen Ministry training involves significant time and energy, but it is a deeply rewarding area of service. Ministers report they experience positive changes in their personal lives, too, which typically is the result of increased awareness and improved listening skills. A minimum of 50 hours of preparation is required before someone becomes a Stephen Minister. Candidates attend classes in crisis theory, listening skills, assertiveness training, intervention and role-playing. Contact Pastor Dave if you are interested in learning more about becoming a Stephen Minister at Lakeside. Additional details can be found at www.stephenministries.org.