Christian Community Presbyterian Church
Stephen Ministry Program
What is Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential, one-to-one, distinctively Christian care to individuals who are experiencing a variety of life needs and circumstances. People seeking a Stephen Minister include those who are dealing with issues such as separation/divorce, job loss, long-term or chronic illness, aging, depression, grief, death and loneliness.
Stephen Ministry is a supervised ministry; Stephen Ministers meet regularly in supervision and continuing education sessions to ensure that the best possible Christian care is being given.
Because this is a confidential ministry, what a care receiver tells a Stephen Minister remains in strictest confidence. Even in supervision, the names of care receivers and specific details are never discussed.
Stephen Ministers do not contact individuals; rather, they are referred to care receivers who have agreed to receive care. Stephen Ministers are matched with care receivers of the same gender, and the program is only for adults.
There is no charge associated with any of the caring services provided by Stephen Ministry, nor are Stephen Ministers or Leaders paid.
What is a Stephen Minister?
A Stephen Minister is:
- A caring Christian who offers support to others in time of need.
- A listening Christian who is a confidential partner in another’s life experiences.
- A trained Christian caregiver with skills developed through an intensive, 50-hour training course and monthly continuing education sessions.
- A dedicated Christian commissioned by the CCPC congregation to provide in-depth, one-on-one confidential caring.
- A Christian actively sharing God’s gift;
- A Christian gifted with emotional stability, spirituality, a caring manner, dependability, and trustworthiness.
A Stephen Minister is not:
- A professional counselor or psychologist.
- A social worker providing routine services, such as transportation or meals.
- An expert in law, finance, church doctrine, healthcare, etc.
- A brief, superficial visitor who touches base occasionally.
What training do Stephen Ministers receive?
The Stephen Ministry training program prepares committed men and women to become Stephen Ministers. They are equipped to care for the many needs of our congregation and community. Their initial 50 hours of training includes topics such as feelings, listening, assertiveness training, confidentiality, crisis theory and intervention, telecare, use of prayer and the Bible, and ministering to people in specific situations such as grief, divorce, and depression.
What commitments do Stephen Ministers make?
Following training, Stephen Ministers are commissioned by CCPC into active, caring ministry. Each Stephen Minister makes a two-year commitment to provide Christian caregiving to individuals experiencing a period of transition in their lives. In addition to the Stephen Minister’s involvement with a care receiver (an average of one one-hour visit each week), this commitment includes regular participation in twice-monthly peer supervision sessions and monthly continuing education.
Equally important, Stephen Ministers make a common commitment to one another, providing care and support and working together to build a Christ-centered community in the CCPC congregation.
The Stephen Ministers work under the supervision and guidance of Rev. James Brassard and Stephen Leaders Anita Pesses and Margaret Hallau.
What is the role of the Stephen Leaders?
Stephen Leaders are lay persons or ministers who have completed an intensive 7-day Stephen Leader’s Training Course and are commissioned to lead the Stephen Ministry in our congregation. These leaders can help you or someone you know receive care from a Stephen Minister, tell you how to become a Stephen Minister, tell you about Stephen Ministry training and our next training class, and answer other questions about our congregation’s Stephen Ministry program. They also train and supervise Stephen Ministers; the next Stephen Ministry training class will begin in the fall of 2006, and applications will be available soon. CCPC’s Stephen Leaders are Anita Pesses and Margaret Hallau.
How does someone obtain a Stephen Minister?
People seeking the support of a Stephen Minister are matched with an appropriate caregiver through confidential contact with either Rev. Brassard or a Stephen Leader. If you would like to have a Stephen Minister, if you believe someone you know could benefit from having a Stephen Minister, or if you are interested in learning more about the program, please contact Rev. Brassard, Anita Pesses, or Margaret Hallau.
How can you support CCPC’s Stephen Ministry?
In support of our Stephen Ministry, please:
- Pray for our Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers as they provide Christian care to others.
- Pray for those who are receiving confidential care through the Stephen Ministry of our congregation.
- Tell Stephen Leaders about someone who might benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister. Be sure to get that person’s permission first.
- Tell others in our community about the availability of CCPC’s Stephen Ministry, and the care it can provide.
- Ask for and receive Stephen Ministry when you are in need of support.
- Consider serving as a Stephen Minister.
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