Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministry - A New Ministry at Redeemer

What is Stephen Ministry? Stephen Ministry trains, organizes, and supports laypeople to provide one-to-one Christian care to hurting people in and around a congregation. Thousands of congregations use Stephen Ministry because we all share two common characteristics:

1. There are people who are hurting and would benefit from one-to-one Christ-centered care – many more people than pastors alone can care for.
2. There are laypeople with the gifts and potential to provide care – if they are trained and empowered to do so.

Stephen Ministry brings these two groups of people together in a powerful way. While Clergy are usually on the front lines of providing pastoral care, Stephen Ministers walk alongside people after a crisis: after a funeral, the loss of a job, the cancer diagnosis, etc. It is during these “after periods” in life that many people really struggle and when Stephen Ministry can be especially valuable. Stephen Ministers are provided with training and support to serve this important role. Click here to read more about what Stephen Ministers do.

What is happening at Redeemer? We believe God has called Church of the Redeemer to bring Stephen Ministry to our congregation. In response, during the summer of 2018, six individuals from Redeemer completed training to be Stephen Ministry Leaders (women shown below left to right): Kelli Wisecup, Nip Becker, Joyce Keeshin, Becca Morehous, Jen Strom, and Maggie Gough. Carter Waide (far left in photo) had already received leadership training and will serve as part of the leaders team. These leaders will provide the extensive training and on-going support of Redeemer’s future Stephen Ministers. The team is supported by Redeemer staff, Becca Morehous, Health & Wellness Minister and the Rev. Joyce Keeshin, Associate for Pastoral Care.

How might you discern a call to become a Stephen Minister? This summer we begin the discernment process for our second Stephen Ministry training program. We are looking for individuals who feel called to serve in a confidential one-on-one ministry of being present, listening and walking with someone through a difficult time. The discernment process includes completion of a Stephen Ministry Application, a conversation with ministry leaders, and especially prayer. We would like to receive applications by August 25, 2019. Click here to read more about the Stephen Minister's spiritual gifts.

Preparation for this ministry requires participation in fifty hours of Stephen Ministry Training, completion of Safe Church Training, and faithful participation in on-going peer supervision. The training series will run from September 30, 2019 – February 24, 2020. Classes will be held weekly, primarily on Monday evenings 6:30 – 9:00 pm.

If you have any questions, please contact Becca Morehous, Health and Wellness Minister or the Rev. Joyce Keeshin, Associate for Pastoral Care.

The Importance of Confidentiality in Stephen Ministry

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of Stephen Ministry because it is absolutely essential for building safe, healing, caring relationships.

Stephen Ministry is confidential. Stephen Ministers don't reveal what their care receivers have told them. Not to the pastors, not to the Stephen Leaders, not to their spouses or friends, and not to other Stephen Ministers.

Why? Because trust is …

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The Ministry of Listening

Think of a time when you really felt cared for. Chances are someone focused on what you had to say, was attentive to your needs, and listened to how you felt instead of telling you how you should feel or what you should do.

Listening is one of the most powerful ministry tools at your disposal. It demonstrates that you care about the other person. In Stephen Ministry, a great deal…

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