STEPHEN MINISTRY
The Rev. Dan Earnhardt directs our Stephen Ministry Program. Stephen Ministry is a Christian care-giving ministry made up of lay people in our congregation who have been trained to provide distinctive Christian care-giving, encouragement, and spiritual support to those with special needs, always maintaining confidentiality.
Stephen Ministers are committed Christian people who...
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express God's care through their lives to others; 
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receive 50 hours of initial training in important caring ministry skills and concepts
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are commissioned as Stephen Ministers after completing their initial training
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visit others regularly and dependably offering Christian support and care
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receive regular support and guidance from trained Stephen Ministry leaders
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are committed to preserving the confidential nature of the caring relationship
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serve for at least two years
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receive continuing education and skill building throughout their years of service
In 1975 Rev. Kenneth C. Haugk, Ph.D., a pastor and clinical psychologist, saw that people's needs for care in his congregation and community far exceeded what he alone could provide. He developed materials to train nine of his congregation members to provide quality, one-to-one Christian care to individuals experiencing a life crisis. Upon completion of their training, he commissioned them as "Stephen Ministers" and linked them with people with a variety of needs for care. "Stephen Ministry" was so successful in his church that other congregations wanted to become involved. Dr. Haugk then founded the Stephen Ministries organization and developed the Stephen Series, which now has been implemented in more than 9,000 congregations representing more than 100 Christian denominations. More than 450,000 laypersons have been trained as Stephen Ministers, who in turn have ministered to nearly a million care receivers.
If you know of someone in crisis that needs the support of a Stephen Minister,
Click Here.
For more information about Stephen Ministry or an application to apply for entry into the program,
Click Here.
