Christian Caregiving--a Way of Life
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Christian Caregiving--a Way of Life Leader's Guide
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Nuts & Bolts Issues for Small Group Leaders
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The Promise of Hope: Coping When Life Caves In
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Don't Sing Songs to a Heavy Heart: How to Relate to Those Who Are Suffering
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How Congregations Can
Care in Times of Disaster

For more than 25 years, Stephen Ministries St. Louis has been helping congregations organize and equip lay persons to expand caregiving in and through the congregation.

Since the events of September 11, many congregations have asked us for ideas of ways they can provide care to their members and community in the aftermath of a disaster. In response, we have put together a list of tangible ways churches can provide care for their own members and for members of the surrounding community.

Pressure Points with Dr. Bruce Hartung

Many soldiers are returning directly home from the trauma of combat zones and finding themselves without the support a military base offers. Congregations can step into the gap, providing the support, understanding, and care that veterans need.

Read "Eight Ways Congregations Can Respond with Care after a Disaster."

How Stephen Ministry and ChristCare Churches
Have Responded to the Events of 9/11
Over the years Stephen Ministry and ChristCare Small Group Ministry congregations have often been on the front lines when disaster strikes, responding quickly and effectively to the needs of others in the aftermath of tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes, as well as the Oklahoma City bombing.

We heard many reports of how Stephen Ministry and ChristCare Small Group Ministry congregations provided care, support, and relief in the aftermath of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Here are just a few examples.

• Following the attack, Stephen Ministers at St. James Church in New York City called every member of the congregation to see how he or she was coping with the tragedy. Four members were killed in the attack, and countless others were personally affected. Several Stephen Ministers cared for anguished grievers as the congregation mourned. A new Stephen Minister training class began as St. James looked to increase its pool of caregivers. The church also sent more members to LTCs in early 2002 to expand its Stephen Leader Team.
• At Church of the Heavenly Rest in New York City, Stephen Ministers were available at the church every day for two weeks following the attack--welcoming all who came, offering prayer and a listening ear. They continue to help their pastors respond to the many "Want Clergy to Call" cards filled out by people attending worship services.
• Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers at Noroton Presbyterian Church in Darien, Connecticut--which lost two members and a friend of the congregation in the attack and has many others deeply affected--helped overloaded clergy handle the many needs for care. The congregation drew throngs of people at all hours of the day and night, each with a story to share and a need to talk. Stephen Ministers were on hand to listen and provide care.
• A network of Stephen Ministry congregations in New Jersey organized Stephen Minister volunteers to assist the United Methodist Council on Relief in providing support to rescue workers. In addition, several Stephen Ministers and Stephen Leaders from a number of congregations were involved in key volunteer roles in the ongoing relief effort.
• Lewinsville Presbyterian Church in McLean, Virginia organized (and filled) five special ChristCare Groups on the one-month anniversary of the attack. McLean is five miles from Washington, DC, so many people in the congregation and community were closely affected by the attack on the Pentagon. These special ChristCare Groups allowed people to gather in a small group setting to discuss their fears and hurts, care for others and receive care from others, pray together, and extend God's love to one another.

Stephen Ministry congregations across the country have told us how helpful it has been to have their Stephen Ministers available during and following regular and special worship services to care for and pray with people who were struggling emotionally with what was happening.

Similarly, ChristCare Small Group Ministry congregations have reported that their ChristCare Groups have been a safe haven where those struggling with the tragedies could ventilate and validate their feelings and also give and receive care and support.

Learn more about the Stephen Series system of one-to-one Christian caregiving ministry.

Learn more about the ChristCare Series system of small group ministry.

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