Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry is an arm of Discovery Church’s pastoral care that reaches out to comfort people facing life issues. It is Jesus helping people through people, through weekly one on one confidential, non-judgmental meetings to work through the crisis and/or grief in the effort to bring wholeness.
Stephen Ministry is an arm of Discovery’s pastoral care that reaches out to people facing life's challenges.
Stephen Ministers are ordinary, non-professional people who have completed 50 hours of training to provide a confidential and non-judgmental environment where one can unburden themselves to an empathetic ear. They are trained not to “fix it” but to offer prayer, redirection to the Lord, a strong listening ear and support through the days after trials and/or loss, in circumstances such as:
They are trained to support you through many of life’s difficult circumstances. Are you …
- Need support of a friend
- New to the community
- Facing a life transition
- Struggling with faith in God
- Expecting or adopting a child
- Dealing with a job crisis
- Coping with divorce
If you or someone you love is:
- Experiencing loneliness
- Hospitalized
- Terminally Ill
- Homebound
- Disabled
- Grieving
The following are outside the Stephen Minister’s scope of care
- Minors
- Couples or families
- Severe depression
- Personality disorders
- Abuse issues
- Substance abuse
- Suicidal behavior
- Violent behavior
- Serious mental or emotional disturbances
- Monetary needs
- Childcare
- Transportation
- Career placement
Are you interested in becoming a Stephen Minister? If so, your next step is to attend the Stephen Ministry Orientation held two times per year. The next one is August 21, 2022 after the 11:00am service at Sand Lake. You may also contact the church office and ask for the Stephen Ministry Recruiting Coordinator who will contact you to explain more. The 50 hours of training is offered over a three-month period in the Fall and early Spring. Details from the Recruiting Coordinator. Ministers are expected to commit to one-hour meetings weekly once deployed to a Care Receiver; a monthly Supervision meeting with other ministers, and up to 3 quarterly gatherings for Continuing Education and Fellowship.
To be considered for this class please fill out the Stephen Minister application under Volunteer/Stephen Ministry. You can expect to hear from the Recruiting Coordinator for an interview, questions and further steps. You must be a member of Discovery Church to proceed with training. It is also recommended that you have completed the Finding Your Fit class, or know your spiritual giftedness.
Over the years, well over 1.5 million people have benefited from the one-to-one, Christ-centered care of a Stephen Minister. This care is entirely confidential—no one knows the identity of a care receiver except for his or her Stephen Minister and the pastor or Stephen Leader who paired the two together. The care receivers featured here stepped forward willingly to share their stories.
Dr. Brian Pikalow
Associate Pastor
