Christ Caring For People Through People

Stephen Ministry at East Liberty Presbyterian

The Stephen Ministry is . . .

. . . an extension of pastoral care. It is a religious and educational system of training and organizing lay persons for caring ministry. It was named for Stephen, one of the first deacons in the early church who was commissioned by the disciples to care for the needs of the community.

It is one-to-one ministry by trained, caring lay members of this congregation.

It is a response to Christ's instruction to:

"Love one another . . .

as I have loved you."

What does a Stephen Minister do?

People hurt and we find out in one of many ways a pastor is contacted, a church member calls, a pew card drops in the collection plate, a church staff person hears of a need, or a Stephen Minister just sees a need and we respond. At that point a referral is made to a Stephen Minister and confidential care can begin by a phone call or a personal visit. It is then that trust is built and people can begin to sort things out together as love heals and wholeness is restored.

Who is a Stephen Minister?

A Stephen Minister is a lay person, man or woman, who makes a two-year commitment to this ministry through training, on-going supervision, and continuing education. These people are commissioned to do in-depth Christian care giving on behalf of East Liberty Presbyterian Church.

A Caring Christian desiring to offer her/his support to others in time of need.

A Sharing Christian bringing who he/she is to each helping relationship a partner in someone else's life experiences.

A Trained Christian having developed her/his helping skills through intensive training.

A Dedicated Christian commissioned by the church to offer confidential, in-depth caring.

We want to emphasize that a Stephen Minister is not. . .

a professional counselor or psychologist.
a social worker providing lots of physical services.
an expert in law, finance, church doctrine, etc.
a brief, superficial visitor touching base with people now and then.

What does the Stephen Ministry training include?

Fifty hours of intensive training in such helping skills as:

feelings
listening
assertiveness training
confidentiality
crisis theory and intervention
telecare
use of prayer and the Bible
being professional
the "small step" approach

Other specialized "needs":

topics on grief, divorce, depression, ministering to older persons, stress,
suicide and others.

Following training Stephen Ministers are commissioned by our church into active, caring ministry.

The Stephen Ministers work in continual consultation with Dr. Lois Lang, a psychologist and Pastoral Associate for Stephen Ministry & Homebound Visitation, and the Stephen leaders. They meet twice each month during their term of ministry for the purpose of continuing education and group supervision. During the sessions they receive support and help through sharing of problems and concerns while maintaining confidentiality.

What kind of needs does our Stephen Ministry address?

People who are hospitalized.
People who are depressed.
People who are separated or in the process of divorce.
People who are shut-in.
People experiencing the birth of a child.
People who are dying, as well as the families of those who are terminally ill.
People attempting to cope with the death of a loved one.
People experiencing loss of a job or financial setbacks.
People and families of those who are in trouble with the law.
People who are new to our church.
People who are inactive members of our church.
People who are struggling with their faith with God.

Confidentiality

Stephen Ministers abide by the rule that, "All transactions, all observations or impressions, and all records made concerning the person are and will remain confidential."

In closing

An important fact to remember is that one of the pastors has been involved in working with families and persons in crisis before a Stephen Minister is assigned.

When a Stephen Minister makes a call, he/she does so on behalf of the pastor and congregation. Through the Stephen Ministry program pastoral care is extended.

Our Stephen Ministers are trained to be compassionate, confidential listeners to persons experiencing special needs. If you think we can help at this time, contact Dr.Lois Lang or one of the other pastors, 412-441-3800.

Most of the text on this page was borrowed from the Westminster Presbyterian Church.

East
Liberty
Presbyterian
Church:
The Cathedral of Hope