HOW DOES STEPHEN MINISTRY WORK AT GOOD SHEPHERD?

Training of Stephen Ministers
The Stephen Ministry program prepares interested men and women to become Stephen Ministers through 50 hours of training.  Topics of training include:  dealing with feelings, effective listening, confidentiality, crisis care, use of spiritual resources, and specialized training on grief, divorce, stress, and depression.  (The next training session is scheduled for Sep-Feb, 2008-2009).

Referrals
People who would like to meet with a Stephen Minister contact one of the pastors or Stephen Leaders.  A Stephen Leader then confidentially assigns a Stephen Minister to the Care Receiver.  The Stephen Minister makes an initial contact with the Care Receiver to schedule weekly or biweekly meetings.

Supervision of Stephen Minister
The Stephen Ministers meet with Stephen Leaders twice each month in supervisory teams to receive on-going support and continuing education.  This supervision improves their ability to provide quality Christian care.