In Stephen Ministry congregations, lay caregivers (called Stephen Ministers) provide one-to-one Christian care to:

the bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated, divorced, unemployed, relocated,

and others facing a crisis or life challenge.

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Stephen Ministers are not counselors. They are trained Christian caregivers.

Their role is to listen and to care—not to counsel or advise.

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Stephen Ministry is a supervised ministry.

Stephen Ministers engage in twice-monthly supervision

to ensure that they are providing the best quality Christian care for their care receivers.

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Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry.

What a care receiver tells a Stephen Minister remains confidential.

Even in supervision, the names of care receivers and specific details are never discussed.

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Stephen Ministers do not make cold calls.

They are assigned only to people who agree to receive the care of a Stephen Minister.

To have a Stephen Minister assigned to you, please call:

Brenda Graves-Blevins 268-0067, Tresia Griffith 499-3737 (h), 289-1527 (c)

Pastor Nick 445-5391

or send a confidential email (only the pastor has access to this account).

Stephen Ministers: The After People

A Witness to Stephen Ministry

Frequently friends will ask, “I know you’re involved in Stephen Ministry. Can you tell me exactly what a Stephen Minister is?” I like to explain that Stephen Ministers are “After People.”

Stephen Ministers are there:

… after you’ve washed and returned the last casserole dish.

… after the divorce papers have been served and the bottom falls out of your life.

… after the last child honks the horn, waves, and drives away—and the house suddenly seems incredibly empty.

… after you arrive home following the funeral service and the emotions you’ve held at bay come crashing in on you.

… after the relationship has ended but the wounds are still bleeding and painful.

… after the doctors have said, “There’s nothing more we can do.”

… after the door has slammed shut—for the very last time.

… after the phone call you’d always hoped you’d never get.

… after you realize the hands on the gold watch you received at your retirement party move more slowly than you ever imagined.

… after the nursing home director shakes your hand and says, “Welcome to your new home.”

… after the gavel goes down, the handcuffs go on, and your loved one is led away.

… after the baby has arrived, putting more demands on you than you ever dreamed possible.

… after you find the pink slip inserted with what is now your final paycheck.

… after your family and friends have heard your story one too many times, but you still need to talk it out.

Stephen Ministers are the “After People.” We are ready to come alongside you—or your friends, neighbors, coworkers, or relatives—and provide comfort and support for as long “after” as we are needed.

Adapted from a presentation made during a worship service by Ernie Bourland, a lay Stephen Leader at Houston’s First Baptist Church in Houston, Texas.

Copyright © 2003 by Stephen Ministries in St. Louis, Missouri.

Congregation members have permission to reproduce this sheet to use within their congregation to build support for Stephen Ministry.