Stephen Ministry
Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2, NRSV
First Presbyterian Church is a Stephen Ministry Church. What does this mean?
What is Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministry supports your pastor by deepening, expanding, and extending the caring capacity of the church.
What is a Stephen Minister?
Stephen Ministers are congregation members trained to offer care to people who are hurting. Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation, lay-leaders, and pastors who listen, care, encourage and provide emotional and spiritual support to people going through a crisis. They are fully trained and meet weekly for additional training, guidance and support.
What type of care does a Stephen Minister provide?
Stephen Ministers are trained to provide one-to-one Christian care to people in our congregation and community experiencing challenges in life – grief, loneliness, divorce, hospitalization, disability, job loss and many other life difficulties.
How often does a Stephen Minister meet with a care-receiver?
A Stephen Minister typically has one care receiver at a time and meets with that person once a week for about an hour. All information shared with a Stephen Minister is completely confidential. Care-receivers meet with their Stephen Minister for as long as the need continues. Sometimes this is a few weeks, sometimes much longer.
Is there a cost to the care-receiver?
No, the services of a Stephen Minister are at no cost to the care-receiver.
How do I learn more about receiving care or becoming a Stephen Minister?
Contact the church office or talk to any one of our pastors.
For more information about Stephen Ministry, visit Stephen Ministries.