Stephen Ministry

History:  Stephen Ministry began in 1975 in St. Louis, Mo, when the Rev. Kenneth C. Haugh, Ph.D., a pastor and clinical psychologist, trained nine people at his congregation to be Stephen Ministers. They assisted him in giving distinctively Christian care to members of the congregation and the community. These caregivers were so enthusiastic about their ministry that they encouraged Dr. Haugh to offer Stephen Ministry to other congregations. Today, Stephen Ministries has grown into a transdenominational organization, training laity to provide one-on-one Christian care to hurting people in many congregations.

The Name:  The name Stephen comes from St. Stephen, who was in the first group of laity commissioned by the Apostles to provide caring ministry to those in need (Acts 6).

Scope:  More than 10,000 congregations representing more than 150 different Christian denominations from all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces, and 24 other countries are enrolled in Stephen Ministry.
More than 55,000 individuals (pastors, church staff and laity) have been trained at Leaders’ Training Courses. These Leaders have returned to their congregations to train and supervise more than 500,000 laity to be Stephen Ministers. It is estimated that since 1975 Stephen Ministers have provided distinctively Christian care to more than a million people through formalized one-to-one caring relationships and have used their care-giving skills to touch the lives of millions of others in an informal way.

The Logo:  The logo Stephen Ministry congregations use consists of a cross and circle, together with a broken person and a whole person. The broken person stands behind the cross. The whole person stands in front of the cross because it is through the cross of Jesus that we again are made whole. The circle symbolizes both the wholeness we receive through Christ, and God’s unending love for us.

Important to Note: 

  • Stephen Ministers are not counselors. They are trained Christian caregivers. Their role is to listen and to care – not to counsel or advise. Please do not refer to Stephen Ministers as counselors.
  • Stephen Ministry is a supervised ministry. They engage twice monthly in peer supervision groups to ensure they are providing the best quality Christian care for their care receivers.
  • Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry. What a care receiver tells a Stephen Minister remains confidential. Even in supervision, neither the names nor specific details are revealed.
  • Stephen Ministers do not make cold calls. They are assigned only to persons who indicate the desire to have a Stephen Minister.

    For more information about Stephen Ministry, visit: 
    Stephen Ministries     
                                                                                

Your Stephen Ministers are THE AFTER PEOPLE:

  • After you’ve washed and returned the last casserole dish…
  • After the divorce papers have been served and the bottom falls out of your life…
  • After the last child honks the horn, waves and drives away – and the house suddenly seems incredibly empty…
  • After you arrive at home following the funeral service and the emotions you’ve held at bay come crashing down on you…
  • After the relationship has ended but the wounds are still bleeding and painful…
  • After the doctors have said, “There’s nothing more we can do for you…”
  • After the door has slammed shut – for the very last time…
  • After the phone call you always hoped you’d never get…
  • After you realize that the hands on the gold watch you received at your retirement party move slower than you ever imagined…
  • After the nursing home director shakes your hand and says, “Welcome to your new home…”
  • After the gavel goes down, the handcuffs go on, and your loved one is led away…

 
To connect with a Stephen Minister leader at Providence, please submit the form below.

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