Email: info@trinitypresbyteriansj.org ~ Office Hours Tuesday-Friday 9am-5pm
Stephen Ministry
Everyone
goes through difficult times, and having someone to care, to listen,
and to share God's love with you can help you get through the
confusion, stress, or loneliness you might be experiencing. That is the
purpose of Stephen Ministry -- to provide one-to-one caring that is
grounded in Jesus' command to love one another.
If you or someone you know is in need of care, we invite you to consider engaging a Stephen Minister. A Stephen Minister can help meet needs of those who are hospitalized, homebound, terminally ill, disabled, bereaved, lonely, in a job crisis, in a spiritual crisis, and so forth. A Stephen Minister can help those who are going through transitions, such as adjusting to a new job, a change in marital status, a recent move, recent church membership, and so forth.
What is a Stephen Minister?
A Stephen Minister is:
- A child of God who walks with a hurting person
- A caring Christian friend who really listens
- A lay person who has received training in how to provide Christain care
A Stephen Minister is not:
- A counselor or therapist
- A problem-solver
- A casual visitor
How Can I Become a Stephen Minister?Stephen Ministry is grounded in Jesus' command to love one another. Through one-to-one caring relationships, you can support those who need Christian care. Becoming a Stephen Minister requires completion of 50 hours of training in how to provide Christian care. For information about becoming a Stephen Minister, contact Trinity at the phone number or email address above. |
How Do I Engage a Stephen Minister?
If you, a relative, or friend are in need of Christian care, contact Trinity at the phone or email address above and ask about Stephen Ministry referral.
The Stephen Ministry Referrals Coordinator will meet with the person in need to talk about Stephen Ministry. With the person's permission, the coordinator will assign a Stephen Minister to meet on a regular basis with the person. The Stephen Minister continues to provide Christian care for the person with strict confidentiality.