Welcome to our Stephen Ministry page. One of our stated core values to which we are steadfastly committed is that we are a Relationally Driven community. Spiritual formation and maturity can only be realized in healthy community. But community also is where people of brokenness and suffering may find a safe place.
About Stephen Ministry
City Church’s Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals who are experiencing difficulties in their lives.
A Stephen Minister is...
- A Child of God who walks beside a person who is hurting
- A congregation member with gifts for caregiving who was carefully selected to serve in this role
- A lay person who has received 50 hours of initial training in providing emotional and spiritual care
- A caring, Christian friend who listens. Cares, prays, supports, and encourages
- Someone who will “be there” for her or his care receiver; meeting faithfully for an hour each week, for as long as there’s a need
Stephen Ministers Care for People Facing Tough Times
We all experience challenges and difficulties in life when we could lean on the support of a caring Christian friend. Stephen Ministers are ready to offer that kind of support we need when facing a crisis of difficulty such as:
- Loss of a loved one
- Hospitalization
- Divorce or separation
- Loneliness or discouragement
- Spiritual crisis
- Unemployment
- A Terminal illness
- Incarceration
- Aging
- Birth, adoption, miscarriage, or infertility
- A chronic illness
- Relocation
- Recovery after and accident or disaster
- And much more
Stephen Leaders Are…
- Trained leaders at City Church who oversee and direct our Stephen Ministry.
- If you—or someone you know—could benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister…
- If you are interested in possibly becoming a Stephen Minister
- If you have any other questions about Stephen Ministry…
…talk with one of our Stephen Leaders
Limitations of the Stephen Ministry
- When individuals coping with emotional and physical burdens may be in need of professional care.
- Stephen Ministers do not function in the role of a professional therapist. Care receivers under the care of a mental health professional must consult with that professional in order to be assigned a Stephen Minister.
- Stephen Ministers do not run errands or provide meals. They are not problem solvers, but focus on a ministry of listening, help, and giving support.
- Stephen Ministers are not service providers. They are “care givers,” not “cure givers.”