Frequently Asked Questions
Who is involved?
Stephen Leaders oversee and direct the Stephen Ministry. They recruit, train, organize and supervise our Stephen Ministers, identify people in need of care and match them with a Stephen Minister. Our current leaders are Judy Radosevic and Rev. George Roberts.
Stephen Ministers have been through 50 hours of training in Christian care giving, including general topics such as listening, feelings, boundaries, assertiveness, and using Christian resources in care giving. Their training also includes specialized topics such as ministering to the divorced, hospitalized, bereaved, and aging.
Care Receivers are the recipients of a Stephen Minister’s care. They are people from our church or community who are experiencing divorce, grief, loss of a job, loneliness, hospitalization, terminal illness, or any of an endless number of other life difficulties. Stephen Ministers usually meet with their care receivers once a week for about an hour for as long as the care receiver will benefit by the relationship.
Are Stephen Ministers counselors?
Stephen Ministers are not counselors; they are trained lay care givers. Their role is to listen and care - not to give advice or counsel. Stephen Ministers are also trained to recognize when a care receiver’s need exceeds what they can provide. When that happens, they work with care receivers to help them receive the level of care they really need.
Can I trust a Stephen Minister?
Trust is essential to a caring relationship, and Stephen Ministers are people you can trust. Confidentiality is one of the most important principles of Stephen Ministry, and what a care receiver tells their Stephen Minister is kept in strictest confidence.
For more information on Stephen Ministry, contact Rev. George Roberts
