What is the Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministry is...
A lay, caring ministry in which one person reaches out to another in time of need.
An ongoing helping relationship - people who need help, receive help.
A meaningful way for our parish to more fully use our talents in sharing one another’s burdens and joys.
A Stephen Minister is...
- A caring Christian - desiring to offer his/her support to others in time of need.
- A sharing Christian - bringing who he or she is to each helping relationship, as a partner in another’s life experiences.
- A trained Christian - having developed his/her helping skills through intensive course work.
- A dedicated Christian - commissioned by our parish to confidential, in-depth caring.
A Stephen Minister is not...
- A professional counselor or psychologist.
- A social worker providing lots of physical services.
- An expert in law, finances, church doctrine, etc.
- A brief superficial visitor, "touching base" with people now and then.
