Leader's Training Courses (LTCs)

Each Stephen Series Leader's Training Course (LTC) is an exciting week of learning, discovery, worship, relationship building, and catching a vision for all that Stephen Ministry can be for your congregation.

What Happens at an LTC?

An LTC is an engaging learning experience that combines a variety of teaching methodologies--lecture, discussion, video, demonstration, and skill practice--to equip a congregation's Stephen Leaders to lead highly effective Stephen Ministry.

At the LTC, Stephen Leaders learn how to--

• cast a vision and build awareness for Stephen Ministry
• recruit, select, and train Stephen Ministers 
• find people in need of care and match them with Stephen Ministers
• provide support and continuing education for Stephen Ministers; and
• keep Stephen Ministry going and growing

Your congregation's Stephen Leaders will return from the LTC fully equipped to begin and direct Stephen Ministry in your congregation.

2012 Leader's Training Course Schedule:

Date	Location	Conference Site
January 8-14	Orlando, Florida	DoubleTree Universal Hotel
February 5-11	Anaheim, California	DoubleTree Anaheim/Orange Hotel
April 15-21	St. Louis, Missouri	Renaissance Airport Hotel
June 10-16	Orlando, Florida	DoubleTree Universal Hotel
July 8-14	Dallas, Texas	Westin Park Central
July 29- August 4	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh

LTCs are for members of enrolled Stephen Series congregations or organizations.

• If your congregation is not yet enrolled, contact us if you need information on enrolling and then registering for an LTC.
• If your congregation is already enrolled, contact us for LTC registration materials.

Who Should Attend the LTC?

The LTC is for the key individuals from your congregation who will serve as your Stephen Leaders--the leaders who will coordinate Stephen Ministry in your congregation.

• Congregations just beginning Stephen Ministry usually send two to four leaders--a pastor, perhaps another church staff person, and one or more lay leaders--who then work as a team to begin and manage Stephen Ministry.
• Congregations with an established Stephen Ministry send additional leaders, as needed, to grow their leadership team and keep the ministry strong and healthy.

Does the LTC Train People
to Be Stephen Ministers?

No. The LTC is different from the 50 hours of Stephen Minister training in the congregation.

• The LTC equips your congregation's Stephen Leaders to lead the overall Stephen Ministry in your congregation.
• Your Stephen Leaders are the ones who will train the Stephen Ministers (lay caregivers) in your congregation.

That said, many people who previously have been trained as Stephen Ministers in the congregation later go on to attend the LTC to become Stephen Leaders.

A Typical LTC Daily Schedule

Download a typical LTC schedule in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format.

LTCs begin at 6:30 P.M. on a Sunday evening and conclude at 11:00 A.M. the following Saturday.

LTC Faculty

The Rev. Kenneth Haugk, Ph.D., founder and executive director of Stephen Ministries, maintains an active writing and teaching schedule in addition to leading the organization that supports ministry in more than 11,000 congregations. A pastor and clinical psychologist, Dr. Haugk is author of many books, including Christian Caregiving--a Way of Life, Don't Sing Songs to a Heavy Heart, and Journeying through Grief.

The Rev. Dr. David Paap, Litt.D., program director, works closely with Dr. Haugk in leading the 40-person staff at Stephen Ministries. As an author, teacher, former parish pastor, and Army Reserve chaplain, Dr. Paap has experience in a wide range of ministry settings. He is one of the organizers of H.E.R.O.E.S. Care, which equips Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers to care for military service people and their families.

The Rev. William McKay, director of project development, leads the team that produced the Stephen Ministry training resources and the Caring Evangelism course. He is author of numerous books, including Nuts & Bolts Issues for Small Group Leaders and Me, an Evangelist?.

 

Pamela Montgomery has more than 20 years of frontline caregiving experience as both a Stephen Leader and a Stephen Minister. Since 1992, Pam has taught at over 150 Stephen Ministry Workshops and training courses.

 

 

Joel Keen, M.Div., a member of the pastoral staff, has been helping Stephen Ministries deliver high-quality training events for more than 15 years. In addition to directing Leader's Training Course operations, Joel writes and edits, oversees video production, and serves on the consultation team.

 

Janine Ushe, M.Div., a Stephen Ministries staff member since 2001, oversees Stephen Series enrollments and manages the operations, warehouse, and shipping teams. Janine also teaches at training courses and workshops and serves on the Stephen Ministry consultation team.

 

Amity Haugk represents the second generation of the Haugk family's passion for Christian caregiving. Amity came to Stephen Ministries in 2006 after managing restaurants at Walt Disney World. In addition to teaching at Leader's Training Courses and workshops, she consults with Stephen Leaders and is a key member of the marketing team.

 

Joel Bretscher served as a Stephen Minister in Arizona before joining the St. Louis staff in 1995, and his passion for Stephen Ministry is evident in his teaching and speaking. As director of communications, he heads the marketing and public relations teams as well as serving as a writer, editor, graphic designer, and Stephen Ministry consultant.

 

David Bode coordinates technology at the Stephen Ministries Center, managing the information technology team and programming the website. He also serves in human resources and has been on the training course delivery team since 2001. David is a Stephen Leader and is the son of a Stephen Leader.

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