Stephen Ministry Covenants

Congregations sign the Stephen Ministry Congregation Enrollment Covenant when they enroll. Stephen Leaders commit to fulfilling the Stephen Leader Covenant and to upholding the Congregation Enrollment Covenant when they register to participate in a Bridge Leader’s Training Course. Congregations receive their covenants with enrollment materials; Stephen Leaders receive these covenants with their BLTC registration materials.

These covenants are printed on this webpage for the information purposes of those registering for a Bridge Leader’s Training Course. Your BLTC registration materials include a place where you will sign to uphold these covenants.

Stephen Ministry Congregation Enrollment Covenant

By enrolling in Stephen Ministry, your congregation enters into a covenant with Stephen Ministries in which . . .

Stephen Ministries promises to do the following:

• Offer Stephen Leader training to equip representatives of your congregation to implement the Stephen Ministry System of lay caring ministry on behalf of your congregation. Once enrolled, your congregation can send any number of representatives through Stephen Leader training.

• Make available for purchase the Stephen Ministry Leader’s Manual and other materials Stephen Leaders need to implement Stephen Ministry on behalf of your congregation. The Leader’s Manual is available only to Stephen Leaders (individuals who have completed a Stephen Leader training course).

• Make available for purchase the Stephen Ministry Training Manual, and other materials Stephen Leaders need to implement Stephen Ministry on behalf of your congregation. The Leader’s Manual is available only to Stephen Leaders (individuals who have completed a Stephen Leader training course).

• Make available for purchase the Stephen Minister Training Manual, Supervision Group Facilitator Manual, Stephen Ministry Training Video Collection, and other materials used for training Stephen Ministers in your congregation. Manuals are available only to an enrolled congregation upon request by its Stephen Leader(s).

• Provide resources on our website and through other communications to support your congregation’s Stephen Leaders.

• Provide your Stephen Leaders with ongoing telephone support on questions or issues related to their administration of Stephen Ministry.

• Grant permission to your congregation to identify itself as a Stephen Ministry Congregation.

Your congregation promises Stephen Ministries that it will:

• Faithfully direct Stephen Minstry in your congregation, understanding that the responsibility for the overall management and supervision of your Stephen Ministry rests with the pastor(s), Stephen Leader(s), and/or governing board(s) of your congregation.

• Implement Stephen Ministry only within your enrolled congregation under the direction of trained Stephen Leaders.

• Identify and authorize to serve as Stephen Leaders for your congregation only people who have completed Stephen Leader training and have been commissioned by your congregation.

• Send through Stephen Leader training only members or staff persons of your congregation, carefully selecting only people who—

  – possess the gifts, abilities, and character to serve as Stephen Leaders;

  – intend to participate fully in the entire learning experience by preparing as requested and attending all sessions;

  – will carefully implement Stephen Ministry on behalf of your congregation;

  – will work cooperatively with your congregation’s other Stephen Leader(s), pastor(s), and staff; and

  – will sign a Stephen Leader Covenant and return it to Stephen Ministries as part of the Stephen Leader training course registration process.

• Assume responsibility for the prompt return of all registration materials for Stephen Leader training courses and prompt payment of all fees and for training materials and other items purchased from Stephen Ministries.

• Train as Stephen Ministers only members or staff persons of your congregation, carefully selecting only people who are committed to providing quality Christian care and to serving under the direction and supervision of your congregation’s leadership.

• Authorize to serve as and identify themselves as Stephen Ministers only those who have completed the 50 hours of initial training, have been commissioned by your congregation, and are participating in twice-monthly supervision directed by your Stephen Leader(s).

• Honor copyrights on all materials (including, but not limited to audio, video, and print) published by Stephen Ministries and use materials in accordance with guidelines and permissions authorized by Stephen Ministries.

Stephen Leader Covenant

By registering for the Bridge Leader’s Training Course as a representative of an enrolled congregation, an individual enters into a covenant with his or her enrolled congregation and with Stephen Ministries St. Louis in which . . .

The individual promises this to the enrolled congregation:

• I have read and understand the Congregation Enrollment Covenant and will help my congregation uphold this covenant.

• Because I am authorized to serve as a Stephen Leader by, and am accountable to, my enrolled congregation, I will serve in this role only as long as my enrolled congregation continues to authorize my service.

• I will participate in the entire Bridge Leader’s Training Course. This includes doing all the required preparation work, attending and participating in all sessions, and conducting myself in a profession, Christian manner. I understand that violating any of these requirements may mean ending my training before completion, forfeiting the full registration fee, and not being able to be commissioned or serve as a Stephen Leader for my congregation.

• I am committed to providing the best quality leadership for my congregation. I will work cooperatively with the pastor(s), other Stephen Leaders, and others in leadership in my enrolled congregation to administer the Stephen Ministry System as effectively as we can.

The individual promises this to Stephen Ministries St. Louis:

• I am a staff person, representative, or member of the enrolled congregation identified below. The pastor(s), or the governing board or council, or both have authorized me to participate in the Bridge Leader’s Training Course on behalf of this congregation.

• I will not implement Stephen Ministry in nonenrolled entities. I will not attempt to train anyone as a Stephen Leader, and I will not train or supervise Stephen Ministers who are not members of an enrolled congregation.

• I understand that I may be asked to serve as a reference to other congregations on behalf of Stephen Ministries St. Louis, but that I am under no obligation to do so.