What is Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministry is a program of our congregation that equips lay persons to provide distinctively Christian one to one care to those who are experiencing all kinds of life needs and circumstances, both in our congregation and community.
There are times when each of us needs the care of another person, a Christian friend. These needs include but are not limited to : hospitalization, terminally ill and their families, grieving a death or serious loss, homebound and institutionalized, prisoners, ex-offenders and their families, job crisis, facing life transitions, separation or divorced, birth or adoption.
A Stephen Minister is a congregation member who is recruited, selected, trained, commissioned, and supervised by Stephen Leaders to provide one-to-one Christian care to persons in need. Stephen Ministers typically are assigned one care receiver at a time and meet with that person for about one hour each week. Stephen Ministers usually serve for two years, which includes an initial 50 hours of training followed by twice monthly supervision and continuing education sessions.
Stephen Ministers are trained in:
- Crisis Care: Hospitalization, terminal illness, death of a loved one, unemployment, divorce, financial setback, stress, caring for aging parents, etc.
- Preventive Care: This care helps strengthen the person before a crisis hits, such as approaching retirement, a child leaving home, expecting a child, etc.
How you can contact us
To learn more or talk with a Stephen leader please call the church (530)222-3425. You can also contact Bruce Schlange through his staff page. You can also contact our Stephen leader with a need or questions at the bottom of the page.
Stephen Ministry is confidential. Those receiving care can be sure that their identity and what goes on in the caring relationship will remain private.
How you can support our Stephen Ministry
Pray for our Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers as they provide care for others, Tell the pastor or a Stephen Leader about those who might benefit from the care. Be sure to get the person’s permission first!
Care Receivers Tell Their Stories
A Stephen Minister comes alongside a hurting person and meets with that person on a weekly basis to listen, care, encourage, pray, and provide emotional and spiritual support. Men are paired with men; women with women.
Cancer-Now What? Book
Author Kenneth G. Haugk, Ph.D., is a pastor and clinical psychologist who in 1975 started Stephen Ministry, where congregation members are trained to meet weekly on a long-term basis those who are in crisis. His wife Joan was diagnosed with Stage III Ovarian cancer...
