Stephen Ministry is named after Stephen, who was the first person the apostles commissioned to provide caring ministry to those in need (Acts 6).

No. Stephen Ministry began in St. Louis in 1975 and has since spread to more than 12,000 congregations from more than 170 Christian denominations throughout the United States and Canada and in 24 other countries. More than 600,000 people have been trained as Stephen Ministers, more than 65,000 pastors and laypersons have been trained as Stephen Leaders, and more than one and a half million people have received care through formal caring relationships.

Stephen Ministers are members of a congregation who are specially trained to provide emotional and spiritual care to individuals facing a crisis or difficult situation. They demonstrate God’s love by coming alongside care receivers who need a little extra support.

After being interviewed and passing reference and background checks, potential Stephen Ministers must complete 50 hours of training. Topics include the art of listening, Christian caring and prayer, confidentiality, assertiveness, boundaries, how to begin and end a caring relationship, depression, grief and loss, ministering to the dying, job loss, and divorce. Stephen Ministers participate in monthly continuing education to help them grow as Christians and as caregivers.

All Stephen Ministers participate in supervision once or twice a month. This supervision provides support, encouragement, and accountability for each other so that they can continue to provide the highest quality care. During supervision, Stephen Ministers may discuss issues related to being a better caregiver, but they never discuss their care receivers by name or give other identifying information. Only the Stephen Leaders who handle referrals know who is receiving care.

Stephen Leaders are Stephen Ministers who have undergone extensive additional training and who oversee the Stephen Ministry. They recruit, select, train, organize, and supervise Stephen Ministers. They also identify people in need of care and match them with the trained Stephen Ministers. At St. John, the Stephen Leaders are Traci Brown, Brenda Keeley, Jon Keeley, Audrey Milbrodt, Pastor O'Brien, and Janice Sheahan.

Stephen Ministers support care receivers who are dealing with all sorts of problems. These include, but are not limited to: The loss of a loved one, divorce or separation, failed relationships, family stress, hospitalization, serious or chronic illness, aging and dying, recovery after an accident or disaster, birth, adoption, miscarriage, infertility, unemployment or job crisis, financial concerns, relocation, etc.

Stephen Ministers are not equipped to work with minors, those who are at risk of hurting themselves or others, or those who need mental health treatment, therapy, or medication. When necessary, Stephen Ministers refer their care receivers to health professionals or counselors.

If you’re facing a challenge you can’t deal with on your own, or if you find yourself wearing out your friends and family with your problems, a Stephen Minister might be right for you. Stephen Ministers are specially equipped to walk with you through problems large and small.

Contact Pastor O'Brien in the church office, or Traci Brown; she is the Stephen Ministry’s Referrals Coordinator.

The pastor will always be the primary caregiver, but there is no way the pastor can meet all the needs for care. God has called all of us, not just pastors, to minister to one another. Stephen Ministry multiplies ministry by turning pastors into equippers, so they can enable people to provide caring ministry as well.

First, talk with your friend about the Stephen Minister program and get his or her permission. Then, contact Pastor O'Brien or Traci Brown. Please do not surprise your friend by referring him or her without permission.

When you request a Stephen Minister, Traci Brown works with Pastor O'Brien to place you. They review the list of available Stephen Ministers and determine who would make the best match based on factors such as work schedules and geography to facilitate meetings, potential conflicts (such as being in the same Sunday school class) and your preferences (such as a request for a specific Stephen Minister). After prayerful consideration, you will be notified. You have the chance to bring up any issues or concerns before the assignment is finalized and the relationship begins.

Yes, care receivers are always paired with a Stephen Minister of the same sex.

Unfortunately, no. Minors are not able to give legal consent to receive care, nor would it be possible or necessarily advisable to guarantee confidentiality since parents have a legal right to know what goes on in any caring relationship where their child is the care receiver. In addition, St. John's Safe Church policy prohibits one-on-one contact with minors.

While you may be facing the same issue, you’re probably processing it differently. Therefore, it’s beneficial for each of you to have a unique individual to work with. Furthermore, Stephen Ministers are most effective when they are paired with a single care receiver at a time.

We would encourage you to explore with him or her why this may be the case. Your Stephen Minister could also explore the difficulty in supervision. If all else fails, a new Stephen Minister can be assigned.

That is possible, but not a requirement, as Stephen Ministers are trained to listen and help process all sorts of issues. If you request a Stephen Minister with special experience, that request will be considered during the referral process.

You and your Stephen Minister decide. Meetings typically occur once a week and last an hour or so, although the frequency tends to taper off to semimonthly or monthly as things improve. The location could be at church, in your home, at a restaurant, or on a park bench—wherever you feel most comfortable. Phone calls sometimes supplement the meetings, but face-to-face contact is usually most effective, especially early in the process.

Talk, listen, laugh, cry, pray — whatever you need. Stephen Ministers are trained to listen, not to try and solve the problem.

Friendship is a two-way relationship with each person supporting the other. Stephen Ministry is a one-way relationship focused on helping you with your issues. That being said, some Stephen Minister relationship do evolve into friendships.

As long as you feel the need to meet.

Stephen Minister relationships last anywhere from a few weeks to several years. The average length is 18 to 24 months, including a wind-down time. As things improve, the care receiver and Stephen Minister begin to talk about closure and end their formal relationship when the care receiver is ready.

Caring relationships last as long or short as needed. Keep in mind, however, that it usually takes more than a couple of meetings to establish a trusting relationship.

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of Stephen Ministry and is emphasized in both training and supervision. Stephen Ministers do not share what is discussed in their caring relationships. Only the Stephen Leaders in charge of referrals know who is receiving care. If anyone else finds out, it will only be because you chose to share your experience — which you are certainly free to do if you wish. The only exception to the confidentiality rule would be if a Stephen Minister must share confidential information in order to save a life.

No. Stephen Ministry is a gift from St. John to those in need.

Stephen Ministry is open to family members, friends, church staff, and neighbors who may not be members.