Introduction to Stephen Ministry

The Stephen Series is a complete system for training and organizing lay people to provide one-to-one Christian care to hurting people in and around your congregation.

The Stephen Series provides congregations with the structure, training, and resources to set up and administer a complete system for lay caring ministry (called Stephen Ministry) in the congregation. In Stephen Ministry congregations, lay caregivers (called Stephen Ministers) provide one-to-one Christian care to the bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated, divorced, unemployed, relocated, and others facing a crisis or life challenge. Stephen Ministry helps pastors and congregations provide quality caring ministry for as long as people need it.

http://www.stephenministries.org/

 

Stephen Ministry Facts and Stats

Stephen Ministers provide one-to-one Christian care.

More than a million people have been cared for by a Stephen Minister since 1975.

  • Stephen Ministry began in 1975.
  • The Stephen Series is now in more than 10,000 congregations from more than 150 Christian denominations, in all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces, and 24 other countries.
  • More than 55,000 pastors, church staff, and laypersons have been trained asStephen Leaders (those who oversee and direct Stephen Ministry in the congregation) at a Stephen Series Leader's Training Course.
  • More than 500,000 people have trained as Stephen Ministers in their congregations.
  • More than a million people have received care from a Stephen Minister in a formal one-to-one Stephen Ministry caring relationship, and millions of others have received care from Stephen Ministers in informal ways. 

GriefBooks™ 
from Stephen Ministries

Stephen Ministries offers a number of resources that individuals and congregations can use to minister to those who have experienced the loss of a loved one.

Journeying through Grief

Read about a powerful grief resource--a set of four short books to share with grieving people at different intervals throughout the first year after their loved one has died.

Don't Sing Songs to a Heavy Heart: How to Relate to Those Who Are Suffering

Read about a book by Dr. Haugk that combines personal experience, extensive research, sound psychology, and biblical truths to provide specific suggestions and practical examples for caring for hurting people. You can read excerpts from the book here as well.

Other Resources on Grief

Read about other resources to help individuals and congregations care for people who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

 

Andrew Amodei is the staff leader of the Stephen Ministries Team with Nick Grabar as the Lay Leader of the Stephen Ministries Team.  For information, referrals, or to request a Stephen's Minister, please contact Nick Grabar at ngrabar@chartertn.net.