Frequently Asked Questions about LTCs

Yes. You don’t have to have received Stephen Minister training to be trained as a Stephen Leader; the two roles are very different and involve different gifts and skills. People who have no experience as Stephen Ministers often make excellent Stephen Leaders. Typically, more than half of participants at each LTC have not been trained as Stephen Ministers

The Leader’s Manual is the resource Stephen Leaders use to direct Stephen Ministry. A comprehensive, user-friendly set of documents and file folders, it contains:

• information, guidelines, and ideas for each step of the Stephen Series system

• lesson plans and scripted presentations for training Stephen Ministers

• samples and templates for sermons, brochures, bulletin announcements, and other items for getting the word out

• The Stephen Ministry Training Manual and the Supervision Group Facilitator Manual

• other key materials for carrying out Stephen Ministry in a congregation

Full attendance and participation in all sessions is expected. This preserves the integrity of the Stephen Series, maintains the quality of trained leaders, shows respect for your fellow LTC participants, and demonstrates good stewardship of your congregation’s resources.

Dress comfortably and casually (jeans, shorts, etc.) for LTC sessions. Many participants dress up for the Opening Banquet on Sunday and the Dedication Banquet on Friday.

Plan on dressing in layers. You may want to bring a sweater or light jacket as it’s difficult to adjust the meeting room temperature to make everyone comfortable.

Yes. Participants may attend only if they are members of a congregation that is enrolled in the Stephen Series and only with the full knowledge and authorization of their Stephen Leader Team or governing board and pastors. Unauthorized persons will forfeit the entire conference fee and will be asked to leave the LTC.

LTC participants must be at least 18 years of age, so any high school students younger than 18 may not attend.

No—we need to receive the conference fee before the LTC to confirm your reservation at the hotel. To pay your conference fee, mail it to Stephen Ministries along with your completed Registration Form.

If you need to cancel, call the Stephen Ministries Center in St. Louis at (314) 428-2600. If you're cancelling after 5:30 P.M. Central Time on the Friday before the LTC, follow the prompts to connect to the LTC Conference Office. You may need to leave a message if no one is available. 

Depending on the timing, there may be a cancellation fee:

• Before 5:30 P.M. (CT) on the Tuesday before the LTC
  No cancellation fee

• Between 5:30 P.M. (CT) on the Tuesday before the LTC and 5:30 P.M. (CT) on the Friday before the LTC
  20% cancellation fee

• After 5:30 P.M. (CT) on the Friday before the LTC
  25% cancellation fee

While you will have a couple of evenings free during the LTC, the schedule during the week is full, which limits time for sightseeing. We recommend that participants who wish to sightsee schedule a few extra days before or after the LTC.

After you register for the LTC, you will receive an LTC Preparation Guide containing site-specific information, including how to make hotel reservations before and after the LTC. Reservations before and after the LTC are subject to room availability. Additional nights will be available at the market rate; Stephen Ministries does not negotiate these rates.

Call our Customer Service Department at (314) 428-2600 to learn more.

Families are important to us. However, LTCs are not equipped to meet the needs of children, including infants and teenagers. Children may not attend LTC sessions or meals.

Below are the addresses and phone information for our LTC sites, followed by notes about the delivery of messages to participants.

Orlando, Florida LTCs

Wyndham Orlando Resort
8001 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
Phone: (407) 351-2420
Fax: (407) 345-5611

Anaheim, California LTC

Doubletree Anaheim/Orange County
100 The City Drive S
Orange, CA 92868
Phone: (714) 634-4500
Fax: (714) 978-3839

St. Louis, Missouri LTC

Renaissance St. Louis Hotel—Airport
9801 Natural Bridge Road
St. Louis, MO 63134
Phone: (314) 429-1100
Fax: (314) 429-3625

Dallas, Texas LTC

Westin Park Central
12720 Merit Drive
Dallas, TX 75251
Phone: (972) 385-3000
Fax: (972) 991-4557

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania LTC

Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown Hotel
Gateway Center
600 Commonwealth Place
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: (412) 391-4600
Fax: (412) 467-3400