Additional Leadership Resources | Units 5–8

Unit 5 | Train Stephen Ministers, Part 1: Planning for Training

Unit 6 | Train Stephen Ministers, Part 2: Conducting Training

These units introduced Stephen Minister training: how it works, what materials you’ll use, and how to schedule training in your congregation.

Key Leader’s Manual Resources

These units drew on the following in your Leader’s Manual—check out these resources for more ideas.

• S-3, “Train Stephen Ministers”

• S-3A, “Planning and Scheduling Stephen Minister Training”

• T-1, “Presentations for Training Stephen Ministers”

Additional Resources from the Stephen Leader Online Toolkit

• Stephen Ministry Training Schedule (S-3A): Use this fillable schedule with your trainers and trainees to make sure everyone is on track with the training.

• Getting Your Current Stephen Ministers Plugged in with Stephen Ministry 2020 (T): Use this resource as a guide for connecting previously trained Stephen Ministers with the new and updated Stephen Ministry materials.

Featured Resources

The Stephen Minister’s Essential Training Library includes the books a Stephen Minister will use during training, providing knowledge and skills for excellent caring ministry. Each trainee will need their own set.

The Stephen Ministry Training Video Collection features the four videos used in Stephen Minister training. They explore key ministry topics in an engaging way and add variety to the training experience.

The Stephen Ministry Slide Presentations provide slides for all 18 modules of initial Stephen Minister training and 7 modules of continuing education. They’re a great tool to help trainees stay on track with each session.

Unit 7 | Train Stephen Ministers, Part 3: Commissioning, Continuing Education, and Spiritual Growth

This unit wrapped up discussion of training Stephen Ministers, covering the topics of commissioning, continuing education, and spiritual growth.

Key Leader’s Manual Resources

This unit drew on the following in your Leader’s Manual—check out these resources for more ideas.

• S-3B, “Commissioning Stephen Ministers”

• S-3C, “Continuing Education”

• S-3D, “Encouraging Spiritual Growth of Stephen Ministers”

Additional Resources from the Stephen Leader Online Toolkit

• S-3B, “Commissioning Stephen Ministers”: This section provides a variety of resources, including commissioning rites and a sample sermon to use during a commissioning service.

• S-3C, “Continuing Education”: Here you’ll find a dozen ideas for continuing education.

• S-3D, “Encouraging Spiritual Growth of Stephen Ministers”: This page features several devotions, including “Celebrating Caregivers,” which reminds caregivers that they need care too.

Featured Resources

Our online store includes many items that make great commissioning gifts, including the Stephen Ministry Certificate Holder, which makes a stylish and thoughtful way to present a certificate to a newly commissioned Stephen Minister.

Stephen Ministries’ award-winning book, The Gift of Empathy, digs deep into a key caregiving skill, equipping Stephen Ministers with key information and guidance on empathizing effectively in a variety of relationships. A great resource for continuing education.

Unit 8 | Assertiveness Skills for Stephen Leaders

This unit explored the importance of relating assertively in your role as a Stephen Leader.

Key Leader’s Manual Resources

This unit drew on the following in your Leader’s Manual—check out these resources for more ideas.

• T-6, “Assertiveness: Relating Gently and Firmly”

Additional Resources from the Stephen Leader Online Toolkit

• T-6, “Assertiveness: Relating Gently and Firmly”: There are a variety of resources in the T-6 section to support your training efforts, so take some time to explore what’s available.