Stephen Ministry
There are difficult times in everyone’s life that can feel overwhelming. Perhaps it’s a devastating diagnosis for yourself or someone you love. Perhaps it’s a job loss, or a divorce, or a death. There’s grief, pain, fear, anger, and maybe guilt or shame. But where is God? Where is hope? Where can one turn for help?
Stephen Ministers are members of Saint Philip’s who are trained to provide a one-to-one caring presence for an hour each week over an extended period of time—bearing another’s burdens with strict confidentiality. They listen with empathy as emotions flow. They pray, silently or aloud. They point to signs of healing that emerge over time and help discern the way forward. They bear witness to the power of grace as it transforms the life of a beloved child of God.
In today’s culture, people are taught to think that they should be able to take care of themselves, even when things are falling apart. They ought to power through difficult circumstances, however devastating they may be. They’re expected to “snap out of it” so they don’t burden others. These beliefs are not healthy psychologically or spiritually. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls,” (Matthew 11:28). Paul called upon Christians to “carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), to care for each other when the weight of grief or feelings of failure become too heavy. Stephen Ministry at Saint Philip’s provides a means through which Christ cares for people, through people.
How does one become a Stephen Minister? People who are recruited from Saint Philip’s participate in an interview process before beginning a 50-hour training course in which they learn fundamental skills and best practices of pastoral counseling. After being commissioned as Stephen Ministers by the rector during a Sunday morning service, they are matched with a care receiver. Their training continues, for as long as they serve as Stephen Ministers, with supervision sessions and additional training modules twice monthly. In all of these meetings, confidentiality is maintained.
Stephen Ministers understand that confidentiality is crucial. The care receiver needs to know that what they say to the Stephen Minister will remain confidential. Stephen Ministers support one another in respecting confidentiality.
Sometimes professional therapy or other services from agencies in the wider community may be needed. The Stephen Ministry team has access to information on a wide range of resources to facilitate making referrals.
When sacramental rites are desired (such as Confession, or Communion, or ministration for a person near death), Stephen Ministers can help make arrangements with parish clergy.
Stephen Ministry is a national program developed in 1975 by The Rev’d Dr Kenneth Haugk, a Lutheran pastor and clinical psychologist, to expand the capacity for churches to provide emotional and spiritual care to people experiencing difficult life challenges. In the succeeding 50 years, his organization has provided training for more than 500,000 Stephen Ministers across more than 200 denominations. Saint Philip’s is grateful to benefit from the proven record of the Stephen Ministry organization, which enables us to help suffering people in our parish experience the healing presence of Christ.
To request a Stephen Minister, or to inquire about becoming a Stephen Minister, please complete the form below.