How You Can Prepare to Get the Most Out of Your LTC

Here are some preparation activities you can do in the weeks before the Leader’s Training Course in order to get more out of this exciting, fast-paced learning event. Follow these suggestions to gain a solid foundation on which to build at the LTC.

Talk with Stephen Leaders

If your congregation already has Stephen Ministry, talk with your current Stephen Leaders. If your congregation is new to Stephen Ministry, talk with Stephen Leaders at another church (call us if you need some names).

• Ask about their LTC experience. Is there anything they would recommend you do beforehand?

• Is there anything specific they would recommend you do or listen for while you are there?

• Is there anything they would want you to ask about at a Q&A session?

• Are there any Stephen Ministry topics or Stephen Series system steps that they want you to pay special attention to?

• What role on the Stephen Leader team do they anticipate you will fill once you return home?

Read or Skim Three Books

These books are read by Stephen Ministers during their 50 hours of training. It is helpful to be familiar with the books and to bring them with you to the LTC—to read or reread sections or use as a reference throughout the week. Follow the links to learn more about each book and for order information.

• When and How to Use Mental Health Resources: A Guide for Stephen Ministers, Stephen Leaders, and Church Staff. Read the introduction and first two chapters of this book for a clear understanding of exactly what a Stephen Minister is and does.

• Christian Caregiving—a Way of Life. This book provides an excellent look at the underlying theology and psychological principles of Stephen Ministry.

• Speaking the Truth in Love: How to Be an Assertive Christian. Assertiveness is an important skill for Stephen Ministers and Stephen Leaders. This book uses Jesus as the model for Christian assertiveness.

Read Two Leader’s Manual Documents

The following Leader’s Manual documents have been helpful to many LTC participants, especially those who are new to Stephen Ministry. Follow the links to download each document (in PDF format). These documents come from file folder S in the Leader’s Manual.

• S(1) Overview: The Stephen Series System. This 12-page document describes the step-by-step process Stephen Leaders follow to implement the Stephen Series in the congregation.

• S(2) Glossary of Terms. This 20-page document introduces you to Stephen Ministry terminology, providing brief definitions to terms such as active listening, boundaries, closure, Contact Record Sheet, Focus Questions, Supervision Group Facilitator, and more.

If you would like help prioritizing these recommended readings, see “If You’re New to Stephen Ministry” for a suggested reading sequence.