Stephen Ministry

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up..." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
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Stephen Ministry

Is life more than you can handle right now? Are you adjusting to a new job, change in marital status, a serious illness, the death of a loved one, a recent move, or just experiencing a lonely or difficult time? Could you benefit from having someone who would listen, care, and walk with you through this difficult time? There is no need to struggle alone! Everyone goes though difficult times. Having someone to care, listen, and share God’s love with you can help you get through the confusion, stress, or loneliness you may be experiencing. God does not intend for us to struggle alone.

Stephen Ministry is a confidential Ministry. The identity of those receiving care or what takes place in each caring relationship remains private. Contact one of our Stephen Leader and they can tell you more about our Stephen Ministry and how you – or a friend- can be matched with a Stephen Minister.

stephen ministry health and wellness ministry scottsdale arizona lutheran church la casa de cristo phoenix
Stephen Minister Leader

Linda Barber
623-256-1308
E-mail

About

Stephen Ministry cares for people facing tough times. Consider allowing a Stephen Minister to walk with you on your journey to wholeness. Stephen Ministers are ready to provide the emotional and spiritual care you need when faced with a crisis or difficulty such as:

  • Loss of a loved one
  • Hospitalization
  • Divorce or separation
  • Loneliness or discouragement
  • Unemployment or a job crisis
  • A terminal illness
  • Incarceration
  • Aging
  • Birth, adoption, miscarriage, or infertility
  • A chronic illness
  • Relocation
  • Recovery after an accident or disaster
  • And many more

Stephen Ministry is a confidential Ministry. The identity of those receiving care or what takes place in each caring relationship remains private. Contact one of our Stephen Leaders listed below. They can tell you more about our Stephen Ministry and how you – or a friend- can be matched with a Stephen Minister.

FAQs

In Acts 6, Stephen was among those chosen to provide caring ministry to those in need. Since Jesus’ time, caring ministry has been a hallmark of the Christian faith community.

Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation trained to provide one-to-one, Christ-centered care. They have a compassionate heart for those who are hurting, and they’re equipped with caring ministry skills.  A Stephen Minister typically has one care receiver at a time and meets with that person once a week to listen, care, pray, encourage, and offer emotional and spiritual support.

Yes. Stephen Ministers often provide care for people in the broader community, enhancing and expanding outreach in a powerful way.

If a referral to Stephen Ministry is right for you, one of our Pastors will confidentially contact a Stephen Leader, who will arrange a meeting to gather more information about your situation. The leader will make the confidential referral to the best available Stephen Minister who will be your caregiver.

If you are facing a crisis and you want to avoid it, or make it go away. But nothing you’ve tried seems to work. So, you contact and meet with a pastor or Stephen Leader, who offers comfort and assesses whether a referral to a Stephen Minister is right for you.
Your Stephen Minister and you arrange your meetings, usually weekly, the same time and place for about an hour. The two of you select a place that affords easy conversation and privacy, a quiet corner somewhere.
Your Stephen Minister and you decide when the caring relationship will end. Usually when the crises passes, your Stephen Minister will suggest a tapering-off of the frequency of visits, ending with a celebration of the caring relationship. You both walked through the crisis together!
Confidentiality works two ways. Stephen Ministry assures that the only ones who know about your caring relationship are a pastor, a Stephen Leader, and your assigned Stephen Minister. You assure your confidential caring relationship by informing only those you wish to know. Experience has shown that this sharing policy works well, and Care Receivers are often very open about the care they receive from Stephen Ministry.