One-on-One Care :: Stephen Ministry

A lay Christian 1-on-1 ministry of coming alongside persons in times of need.

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
- Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

In the Book of Acts, a disciple named Stephen was called to oversee congregational care, to give the apostles more time for prayer and teaching. Today, Grace Covenant's Stephen Ministers do the same thing, providing relief for our pastors and compassionate, one-on-one care for people in need. During 2006 alone, trained members of our congregation ministered to people in the midst of unemployment, adjustments following divorce, and other kinds of difficult situations.

Stephen Ministers:

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 on behalf of the congregation. 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. If you are interested in receiving Stephen Minister training, contact Robin Wieber, Pastor of Congregational Care (phone, 345-7840 x 458).

Care Receivers:

A person experiencing a life crisis or challenge who receives the caring ministry of a Stephen Minister. The needs of care receivers may include divorce, loss of a loved one, hospitalization, terminal illness, loneliness, relocation, unemployment, retirement, empty nest, and other life transitions. If you wish to have the one-on-one care of a Stephen Minister, contact Robin Wieber, Pastor of Congregational Care (phone, 345-7840 x 458).

Confidentiality:

Stephen Ministers are pledged to a code of confidence in their relationship to their care receiver.

Supervision:

As part of their deep commitment to quality Christian care giving, trained Stephen Ministers participate in twice-monthly Small Group Peer Supervision. Stephen Ministers meet together in order to support, encourage, and help one another to provide the best distinctively Christian care possible for care receivers.

Stephen Leaders:

Care Pastor Robin Wieber is assisted in guiding this ministry by the Stephen Leader Team.

• MIchele Hake - Supervision Group Coordinator
• Duane Calvin - SM Training & Continuing Education
• Shelley Schreyer - Care Referrals Coordinator
• Lisa Barnes - Retreat Coordinator
• Bob Stewart - Stephen Leader Team Coordinator

National Affiliation:

Grace Covenant's Stephen Ministry is affiliated with Stephen Ministries of St. Louis, MO, founded by Dr. Kenneth Haugk in 1975. Our Stephen Ministers and their leaders are trained in the materials and methods of the Stephen Series™ joining over 9000 congregations nationwide. Grace's Stephen Ministry operates in submission to the church's pastoral oversight and as part of a multi-faceted care ministry to promote the health and growth of its members - equipping one another to serve in the God's kingdom. Grace's Stephen Ministry began in 1999.