Stephen Ministry

COVID-19 Stephen Ministry Update

God Cares and We Care
Acts 6 of the Bible tells the story of St. Stephen, the first lay person chosen and commissioned by the apostles to provide caring ministry to those in need. Stephen Ministry is named in his memory.

St. Paul’s is a Stephen Ministry Congregation with lay people trained in the Stephen Ministry system of Christian care-giving who have been commissioned for this ministry. They are available to any person experiencing a wide range of needs or crises, for as long as that need or crisis exists.

Stephen Ministers do not replace the ministry of the pastor, rather, their ministry is in addition to that care, helping the entire congregation to grow as a warm, loving, nurturing community. They are initially trained for 50 hours (with required continuing education each year), bound by a promise of confidentiality, and ready to be active listeners to their care receivers.

We are here for you. Let us know how we can hold you in our hearts and prayers and walk with you into wholeness. Contact Pastor Sonntag or either Stephen Leaders Sherrie Campbell or Nevin Mann to receive a Stephen Minister, or to find out more about this ministry. For more information about Stephen Ministers on a national level go to: www.stephenministries.org/SM.

Examples of Stephen Ministry situations:

  • being hospitalized, homebound, lonely
  • persons facing terminal illness and their families
  • dealing with a job crisis
  • life transitions, including aging
  • persons with disabilities or their families
  • going through separation or divorce
  • being new in our church or community

The Story of the Stephen Ministry Logo
The logo tells the story of our journey from brokenness to wholeness through the transforming power of the cross of Jesus. It serves as a simple reminder that it is not the Stephen Minister who restores a person to wholeness; rather, it is through the cross of Jesus that a person can be made whole.

The cross reminds us that Christ is at the center of Stephen Ministry and all Stephen Ministry relationships.

The broken person behind the cross symbolizes how we are all broken people.

The whole person in front of the cross signifies the wholeness we encounter through the transforming power of the cross of Jesus.

The circle is a symbol of God?s eternal and never-ending love for us:surrounding us, holding us, and healing us.

Click here for the October issue of The Caregiver