Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministry, which began in 1991 at Saint Paul's, is a one-on-one Christian care-giving ministry that offers care and support for people experiencing life difficulties such as the death of a loved one, loss of health, job crises, Marital Separation/Divorce, or the birth of a child. Commissioned Stephen Ministers have received 50 hours of intensive training covering topics such as effective listening, the stress of hospitalization, confidentiality, feelings and utilizing community resources. A major emphasis of Stephen Ministry training and supervision is on confidentiality. Those receiving care can be sure that their identity and what goes on in the caring relationship will remain private. Since it's inception 48 of our members have been trained as Stephen Ministers. Currently 17 people are receiving care from our 18 active Stephen Ministers and almost 100 people have been care receivers over the years. Anyone needing a Stephen Minister is invited to call one of our Stephen Leaders: Pastor Jaekel or Peter Dumar.

ARE YOU BEING LED TO BECOME A STEPHEN MINISTER?

WHY STEPHEN MINISTRY?

We have many needs for care in our congregation and community: people experiencing divorce, grief, a terminal illness, loss of a job, relocation, an empty nest, retirement, hospitalization, loneliness, and many other stresses or challenges. Often people with needs suffer silently or do not request or receive the level of care they really need. With only two pastors and over 800 baptized members plus over 200 children and parents relating to our Christian Childhood Center, you can quickly see why it would be impossible for our pastors to meet every single need of every single person. Stephen Ministry expands the care Saint Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church can offer by equipping and organizing members to provide distinctively Christian care. This gives us a larger pool of people with gifts, skills and calling to bring Christ's love and care to those who need it most.

Perhaps you are being called to serve as a Stephen Minister. We are beginning a new Stephen Ministers training class Friday evening, February 15 and Saturday morning February 16 and then continuing Monday evenings, February 18 into the spring. This 50-hour course will prepare those who complete it for commissioning as a Stephen Minister later this spring. Interested? Speak to one of our active Stephen Ministers or one of our Stephen Leaders, Peter Dumar or Pastor Jaekel.