Here at Peace our mission statement says, “Friendly People, Growing in Christ- Called to:
Praise and Proclaim, Learn and Love, Care and Celebrate.”; Stephen Ministry is part of our
“Caring” mission. This ministry is transforming the lives of those being cared for (CARE
RECEIVERS) AND those who are trained and equipped to serve them (STEPHEN MINISTERS).

 

There are four(4) areas of Stephen Ministry that we want you to be aware of:

1. The Desire to Make a Difference-
Our Stephen Ministers experience personal and spiritual growth right along with their care receivers. As leaders, we are seeing our Stephen Ministers reaching out in love to each of their care receivers. As they walk alongside their care receiver, they provide a listening, empathetic ear allowing God to do the healing. Stephen Ministers dedicate themselves to complete 50 hours of training in how to provide distinctively Christian
care confidentially. We see each Stephen Minister using God’s Word to guide their relationship with their care receiver. Care receivers experience many trials and tribulations in their lives that a Stephen Minister might help them through. These
include: loss of a loved one, divorce, end of life issues, care giving exhaustion, or family rejection to name a few. Stephen Ministers are NOT counselors or therapists; they are NOT problem-solvers or someone who runs errands; AND they are NOT a casual visitor.

2. Confidentiality- (A very important part of the caring relationship)
Each Stephen Minister is a trustworthy confidant who will keep everything a care receiver says confidential. Each care receiver receives specific one-to-one care from their Stephen Minister. Each female care receiver is paired with a female Stephen
Minister and each male care receiver is paired with a male Stephen Minister. The identity of the care receiver AND specific details of what is discussed in the relationship are kept confidential. This care creates a high level of trust in the caring relationship.

3. Pastors + staff have a team of caregivers-
This team is organized, well-trained, highly motivated and committed, and well supervised to ASSIST with providing pastoral care. Our leaders report to Pastor Teeple and all church staff once a month. Each Stephen Minister also attends two(2) group supervision sessions per month to receive support and affirmation from the Leaders and other Stephen Ministers. During these supervision sessions, CONFIDENTIALITY is of the
utmost importance.

4. STEPHEN MINISTRY has a ripple effect in the congregation-
As more people are trained as Stephen Ministers OR more people are cared for by Stephen Ministers, the WHOLE congregation becomes a more caring place. We are a community of believers Praising and Proclaiming, Learning and Loving, and CARING and Celebrating.

"Serve one another in love." – Galatians 5:13

WHAT IS STEPHEN MINISTRY AT PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH?

Stephen Ministry is a way congregations can provide high-quality care and outreach to hurting people in our
Peace congregation and surrounding community.

Stephen Ministers are congregation members who have gone through 50 hours of training to provide one-to-
one, Christ-centered care. Each Stephen Minister is matched with a hurting person—men are paired with
men, women with women—and meets weekly with that person to listen, care, pray, and encourage.

Stephen Ministers care for those dealing with grief, a major medical crisis, job stress, divorce or broken
relationship, a chronic care situation, loneliness, financial struggles, end of life or hospice situation, a major life
transition, and many other life difficulties.

A Stephen Minister is:

  • A child of God who walks beside a hurting person;
  • A caring Christian who really listens;
  • A member of our Peace congregation who has received 50 hours of training in how to provide
    distinctively Christian care;
  • A person who is ready to focus on your needs;
  • A trustworthy confidant who will keep everything your say—and even your identity—confidential; and
  • Someone who will faithfully meet with you on a weekly basis.

A Stephen Minister is not:

  • A counselor or therapist;
  •  A problem-solver;
  • Someone who runs errands or helps with chores; or
  •  A casual visitor.

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."
– Romans 12:15

Since 1975, nearly 500,000 Christian men and women from all walks of life have trained and served as Stephen
Ministers. Most become Stephen Ministers as a way to serve others—but quickly discover the amazing blessings God gives them in return.