Frequently Asked Questions about Stephen Ministry

What is Stephen Ministry?

Stephen Ministry is a program to recruit and train members of our congregation to provide one-on-one care to hurting people in and around our congregation.

Who are Stephen Ministers?

Stephen Ministers are members of our church who are recruited, trained and supervised to provide care giving on behalf of our congregation. They receive more than 50 hours of initial training followed by twice-monthly continuing education and supervision sessions. Stephen Ministers are trained to provide care to individuals experiencing a crisis or challenge such as medical problems, divorce, grief, and loss of a job, hospitalization, relocation, or loneliness. Stephen Ministers are assigned a care receiver and meet with that care receiver for about an hour each week. This caring relationship will last as long as the care receiver needs it. Stephen Ministers do not charge for their services. The Stephen Minster does not offer solutions to problems; they listen, care, pray and help the care receiver find his or her path to healing and wholeness.

If you would like more information on how to become a Stephen Minister or receive care from one, contact our pastor (contact Ed Micheli.) You may also fill out the card in the pew rack and place it in the box marked Stephen Ministry located at the entrance to the church. A representative from Stephen Ministry will contact you.

Why does VHCC support Stephen Ministry?

Stephen Ministers expand the care our church can offer by equipping and organizing members to provide care.  This gives us a larger pool of people who possess the gifts, skills, and calling to bring Christ’s love and care to those who most need it.

How do I contact a Stephen Minister?

Upon requesting a Stephen Minister through our pastor (or placing a note in the Stephen Ministry box), our Stephen Ministry Referrals Coordinator will contact you, explain what Stephen Ministry is, and determine whether Stephen Ministry is the kind of care you need. The Referrals Coordinator will match you to one of our available Stephen Ministers.  The assigned Stephen Minister will contact you and arrange to meet. Your meetings with your Stephen Minister are confidential.

Are Stephen Ministers Counselors?

Stephen Ministers are not counselors; they are trained caregivers.  Their role is to listen and care - not to give advice or counsel.  Stephen Ministers are trained to recognize if a care receiver’s needs exceed what they can provide.  If that occurs, your Stephen Minister will help you contact the appropriate health care professional.

Can I Trust a Stephen Minister?

Trust is essential to a caring relationship, and Stephen Ministers are people you can trust.  Confidentiality is one of the most important principles of Stephen Ministry.

 

Can you explain the meaning of the Stephen Ministry logo?

The Stephen Ministry logo is a cross and circle, with a broken person and a whole person. The broken person stands behind the cross and symbolizes the brokenness in our lives because of our sin. The whole person stands in front of the cross; it is through the cross of Jesus that we are made complete again. The circle symbolizes the wholeness we receive through Christ and God’s unending love for us.