What Is Stephen Ministry?

"Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, NRSV).

Stephen Ministry offers a proven and effective way to organize, equip, and supervise a team of congregation members—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people in the congregation and the community experiencing life difficulties.

About Stephen Ministry (Video)

Who’s Involved in Stephen Ministry?

Stephen Leaders are church staff, lay leaders, and pastors trained to provide ongoing leadership for their congregation’s Stephen Ministry. They are equipped for this key role through the Stephen Leader Training Course offered by Stephen Ministries St. Louis.

Stephen Ministers are congregation members trained by their Stephen Leaders to offer care to people who are hurting. A Stephen Minister typically has one care receiver at a time and meets with that person once a week for about an hour.

Care receivers are individuals in the congregation or community who are going through a crisis or life difficulty. Potential care receivers first meet with a pastor or Stephen Leader, who assesses their needs for care and matches them with a Stephen Minister. The caring relationship lasts for as long as the need persists.

The Stephen Ministry Process:

Stephen Leaders are Trained: Judy Laude, Nancy Schultz, and Kristin WhiteHorse completed this process in November 2024

Stephen Ministers are Recruited for Training: This will take place in January 2025. Anyone interested should contact the leaders listed above. Applications are handed out.

Stephen Ministers are Trained: This will take place starting in February 2025 and complete in late May/ early June.

Care Receivers are identified: The Stephen Leaders will start identifying and compiling a list of those in need of a care giver (Stephen Minister). This will be a continuous process starting in January 2025.

Stephen Ministers are Commissioned: This will take place in late May/ early June.

Stephen Ministers are matched with Care Receivers: This will start in late May/ early June. This will also be a continuous process as needs come and go.

Stephen Ministers will attend Supervision groups and Continuing Education sessions: This will start as soon as care giving begins.