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Resources
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and More- Christian Caregiving--
a Way of Life - Caring Evangelism: How to Live and Share Christ's Love
- Discovering God's Vision for Your Life: You and Your
Spiritual Gifts - Spiritual Growth through
Spiritual Gifts - Leader Killers: How
to Identify and Deal
with Antagonists in
Your Organization - Antagonists in the Church: How to Identify and Deal with Destructive Conflict
- Caring for Inactive Members: How to Make God’s House a Home
- Christian Caregiving--
About
Us
The Quest for Quality Caring:
Improve Your Ability to Relate to Others
Price: $9.95
Yes, Lord
Price: $9.95
Friends Packet
Caring Criticism: Building Bridges Instead of Walls
Price: $9.95
The Promise of Hope: Coping When Life Caves In
Price: $9.95
Stories, News, and Snapshots
from Stephen Ministry
Congregations
Stories about Stephen Ministry in Action
Stephen Ministry Networks:
Staying Connected
Stephen Leader Don Zerfas found that the Stephen Series Leader's Training Course he attended in April 2000 was a time of tremendous learning and fellowship. After he returned home, he continued to enjoy the same connections with other Stephen Leaders . . .
Two Stephen Leaders Bring
Stephen Ministry to Seven Congregations
Meet Jo Ann Zimmerman and Lynn Efird, two of a growing number of previously trained Stephen Leaders who carry forward the blessings of Stephen Ministry to their new congregations when they move. . . .
This visionary congregation celebrated their anniversary all year long--building their team, hosting a Caring Ministry Workshop, extending their ministry--and more!
Three Times Blessed:
Sharing the Gift of Stephen Ministry with Others
Often care receivers are so grateful for Stephen Ministry that they become Stephen Ministers themselves to offer others the gift they received. Sometimes they go on to be Stephen Leaders as well. Read about two who know the blessing of Stephen Ministry from all three points of view.
Blue Christmas:
Helping Hurting People Cope with the Holidays
Not everyone welcomes the holidays with joy. For those dealing with loss, sadness, grief, stress, loneliness, and despair, the holidays can be a time of dread. Read how some Stephen Ministry congregations offer special ways to help those experiencing a "Blue Christmas."
A care receiver finds a Stephen Minister to care for her after the loss of her husband.
After a series of tragic events, one man finds Jesus in his care receiver.
Walking in Someone Else's Shoes
A Stephen Minister shows the true meaning of servanthood by giving up her new shoes for a homeless woman.
A Stephen Minister tells about a chance encounter in which she used her Stephen Ministry skills with a neighbor.
A care receiver is amazed that his Stephen Minister would continue to visit him in the nursing home week after week.
Walking Together in Love, Growing Together in Christ
After her own experience with grief, a Stephen Minister walks with a care receiver in a similar situation.
Shared experiences of a Stephen Minister and her care receiver allow them to bond and develop an instant rapport.
A man finds out about Stephen Ministry as his dying brother is cared for by a Stephen Minister.
What Happened That Night Was True Ministry
A team of Stephen Ministers cares for a family during a tornado.
Stephen Ministry Finds a Role in Show Business
A woman uses her Stephen Ministry skills in her career as an actress.
Share a story about how you've been cared for or grown in faith as a result of Stephen Ministry. (E-mail, call, write, or fax us with your story ideas.) Please include your name, church name and location, and daytime phone number, in case we need to contact you for more information. (Note: This e-mail address is only for submission of news, stories, and ideas. We cannot respond to individual requests. If you need assistance, please call us at (314) 428-2600, M-F, 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Central Time.)
Stephen Ministry in the News
Download recent articles and stories about Stephen Ministry. Documents marked with a "PDF" are in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format.
"I Just Say I'm Here to Listen"
One day a week, Marje Warner travels the halls of Palmetto Health Richland [Hospital] to offer an encouraging spiritual word to patients and their families. . . .
Holy Infant One of Many That Embrace Stephen Ministry
This story, which appeared first in the St. Louis Review, underscores the value of Stephen Ministry for large congregations. It's a great resource both for building awareness and ownership in your own congregation and for spreading the word about Stephen Ministry to others.
Stephen Ministry Trains Angels on Earth
This story, first published on the United Methodist Church Web site, describes the blessings that Stephen Ministry brings to hurting people, to congregations and communities, and to the Stephen Ministers and Stephen Leaders who are part of this quiet but powerful ministry.
Gifts That Keep On Giving: Stephen Leaders Who
Begin Stephen Ministry in Their New Congregations
Stephen Leaders Karen Lovell and Donna Authers have brought the gift of Stephen Ministry to new congregations. Their experience, insights, and enthusiasm have been wonderful assets in establishing Stephen Ministry in their new settings.
Networking: Blessings from Afar
When Stephen Leader Donna Authers's mother became ill in Florida, Donna worked through Stephen Ministries to find her a Stephen Minister. The Stephen Minister provided great care--and the grace of that relationship returned to bless the Stephen Minister as well.
Twenty Years and Three Generations of Stephen Ministry:
The United Methodist Church of Berea, Ohio
This congregation is celebrating its 20th anniversary of Stephen Ministry this year--and three of their Stephen Ministers have special cause to celebrate! Read how this congregation has found exciting ways for its Stephen Ministers to extend their ministry.
For ten years now Stephen Ministers at First Presbyterian Church in Greenwood have been a beacon of hope to people going through troubling times. Read how their ministry has been a blessing to pastors, to the congregation, and to the entire community.
The Stephen Ministry team and other leaders at First Presbyterian Church in Greenwood have explored many ways to use Don't Sing Songs to a Heavy Heart and the Journeying through Grief books not only to care for hurting people but also to make the congregation a more caring community.
Peggy Hammett recalls the concern she felt when she received the call to become a Stephen Leader. Read how God worked through her and other members of the team to bring Stephen Ministry to First Presbyterian Church in Greenwood, South Carolina.
U.S. Army Captain David Rozelle's life changed drastically when a landmine exploded under his Humvee in Iraq in June 2003. Read about his determination as he used his understanding of what an amputee faces--and his Stephen Ministry skills--to help others. (PDF)
Stephen Ministry Helps Churches
Bring Christ into Ongoing Disasters
In 2004 four major hurricanes battered Florida, destroying lives, homes, and communities. A year later--long after the news coverage has gone on to other crises--Stephen Ministry congregations are still reaching out to help people rebuild their lives.
"Disasters bring out the best in people," begins Stephen Leader Patricia Canty. Read how Stephen Ministers from First United Methodist Church and First Assembly of God cared for evacuees who fled to Lufkin, Texas, in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, providing both immediate and long-term care--and how they themselves were blessed.
Stephen Ministers and Hurricane Katrina:
The Face of Christ in the Midst of Loss
When disaster strikes, Stephen Ministers are there to help! Read how Stephen Ministry congregations have heard the call and rallied to help those evacuated from New Orleans and other areas ravaged by the hurricane.
How Does Caregiving Fit into Your Congregation's Mission?
Learn how providing Christian care to individuals can strengthen your entire congregation and help accomplish its mission. (PDF)
A first time caregiver learns who the real Curegiver is.
More and more congregations are celebrating 20+ years of Stephen Ministry. (PDF)
Stephen Ministry Gives Care to People in the Trials of Life
This story from the Diocese of Charleston (South Carolina) newspaper tells how a Roman Catholic parish learned about and began Stephen Ministry. Within three years after this article was published, the Stephen Ministers at St. Mary Magdalene had already provided 3,400 hours of care to hurting people.
Outreach Ministry Provides One-on-One Support
An article from the Hilltop Times describes how Stephen Ministry is making a difference at Hill Air Force Base in Utah.
Stephen Ministry: Helping Dad Hang On
during Personal Earthquake
A story from the UPC Times about a Stephen Minister caring for a father grieving the death of his infant son. (PDF)
A touching story about one woman finding "an angel on earth" through her Stephen Minister. (PDF)
Lay Ministries Help Serve the Hurting
Some reflections on Stephen Ministry through the eyes of northwest Arkansas Stephen Series church members.
Church Members Help Other People Dealing with Crises
A few insights into how Stephen Ministers have helped a midwestern church and pastor.
Stephen Ministry: A New Approach to Pastoral Care
Read an article on Stephen Ministry from Focus on the Family's Focus Over Fifty.
Stephen Ministry: Setting the Standard for Care
Read about the growing Stephen Ministry at Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas.
Stephen Ministry Begins at Infant of Prague Church
in Jacksonville, NC
One Stephen Leader shares how Stephen Ministry creates a caring atmosphere in her parish.
Stephen Ministry Uplifts, Encourages
Those Experiencing Sorrow and Loss
A care receiver and priest in the Denver, Colorado area both share how Stephen Ministry has encouraged and uplifted their lives.
Stephen Ministry Responds to Life's Jagged Lines
Our Mother of Sorrows Parish in Tucson, Arizona celebrates their 15th anniversary of Stephen Ministry in their congregation.
Have You Seen a Good Article about Stephen Ministry? If so, fax the article to us at (314) 428-7888 or e-mail us. Be sure to include your name, church name and location, and daytime phone number, in case we need to contact you for more information. (Note: This e-mail address is only for submission of news and stories. We cannot respond to individual requests via e-mail. If you need assistance, please call us at (314)428-2600, M-F, 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Central Time.)
Stephen Series Congregation Snapshots
Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ridgewood, New Jersey
Camarillo Community Church in Camarillo, California
Chapel by the Lake Community Presbyterian Church in Juneau, Alaska
Christ Church Lutheran in Phoenix, Arizona
Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas
First United Methodist Church in Geneva, Florida
Greensboro Urban Ministry in Greensboro, North Carolina
Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit in Elk Grove Village, Illinois
Our Mother of Sorrows Parish in Tucson, Arizona
Saint Jude's Episcopal Church in Niceville, Florida
Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Simpsonville, South Carolina
Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church in Kensington, Maryland
West Side Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis, Missouri
If you'd like us to do a snapshot of your congregation, e-mail us the information. Please include your name, church name and location, and daytime phone number, in case we need to contact you for more information. (Note: This e-mail address is only for submission of news and stories. We cannot respond to individual requests via e-mail. If you need assistance, please call us at 314-428-2600, M-F, 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Central Time.)