Stephen Ministry at Hope Lutheran Church

Stephen Ministry at Hope is a one-on-one Christian caring relationship between a trained Stephen Minister and an individual seeking care and support during a difficult time in their life.

What do Stephen Ministers do? Stephen Ministers:

• Listen
• Maintain confidentiality
• Share Christ’s love
• Pray
• Provide Christian care, support, encouragement in a one-to-one setting
• Leave the results to God

A Stephen Minister provides Christian care to an individual; they are not a pastor or professional counselor/therapist.

Stephen Ministers provide care when life changes occur, such as:

• Death
• Loss of a job
• Feel alone
• Financial crisis
• Pregnancy
• Childbirth/new mother
• Divorce
• Hospitalization
• Health changes
• Retirement
• Feeling alone
• Aging
• Caregiver for family member

If you are experiencing a life change or crisis where a Stephen Minister could help, you may speak confidentially to one of the pastors.

What is involved with being a Stephen Minister?

• Lay people complete 50 hours of training before serving as Stephen Ministers
• Commitment to maintain confidentiality
• Agree to serve as a Stephen Minister for 2 years after training

To learn more about being a Stephen Minister, you may talk with one of the pastors or Stephen Leaders

If you are a caregiver, you may find helpful resources at these sites:

For Stephen Ministers:

Prayers, devotions and other resources are available on the Stephen Ministry site: www.stephenministry.org

Forms are available on the site: [If you do not already have a login, you will need to register/create an account]

1. Login to the Stephen Ministry website

2. On the Stephen Ministers page, select Resources
3. Select “Find resources to help you in your ministry”
4. Go to “Download Forms”