"When might someone seek out a Stephen Minister?", the visitor asks.

  "A variety of situations might benefit from a Stephen Minister relationship, but it usually falls in the categories of an unexpected crisis, a special loss, or some kind of change or disruption in your current life. The loss of a job, a difficult personal relationship, a marriage or divorce, a birth, caring for an aging parent, an illness, surgery, rehabilitation, or death – any of these situations can knock us off balance. At times, God sends comfort, peace, and direction through the caring relationship with another. Sometimes, just to know we are not alone and that God and others really care is all we need to get us through a difficult time in our life."

"Are Stephen Ministers a substitute for doctors, pastors, or professional counselors?"

  "No. Certain situations may require the services of those professionals. But often an individual’s needs can be met by a simple caring relationship which offers confidential and compassionate support, comfort, encouragement, and Christian love. Stephen Ministers are not counselors; they are trained Christian caregivers. Their role is to listen and to care."

"So, Stephen Ministers are there to provide on-going care, right?".

   "Yes. Our pastors, though they would like to, are often unable to provide the continued concentrated support a situation might need. Like it or not, a church congregation has continual NEW crises which arise each day which need his or her attention. Even our friends or church family seem to offer a lot of care and support at the initial onset of a crisis, but their efforts just seem to naturally taper off, even though needs still exist. A Stephen Minister is committed to remaining in contact and in relation with the care receiver for the long haul. Some situations are not easily or quickly resolved and a Stephen Minister is there to meet the continuing needs for as long as the individual needs care."

"Are the Stephen Ministers supervised in this ministry?", she inquires.

  "Yes. In an active ministry setting, the Stephen Ministers at our church engage in regular supervision with other Stephen Ministers to ensure that they are providing the BEST quality Christian care for their care receivers.

"And what about Confidentiality?"

  "What a care receiver tells a Stephen Minister remains confidential. Even in supervision (mentioned above), the names of care receivers and specific details are never discussed.

"Do Stephen Ministers pick where they will serve in a Care Giving Role?"

  "A Stephen Minister just doesn’t show up on someone’s doorstep. A caring relationship is formed through a referral and review process.

"How does that process work?"

  "A request for a Stephen Minister makes it way to the Stephen Leader (in our church setting, that is Julia Shiver). The referral might be made through a minister, another Stephen Minister, or it can come from directly from the individual seeking care."

  "Next, the need for care is thoroughly examined to provide the best possible solution. The Stephen Leader will contact the potential care receiver (either by phone or in person), discuss the individual’s needs, explain the role and function of a Stephen Minister, and answer any questions the individual might have."

  "If the care receiver decides he/she would like a Stephen Minister, then the Stephen Leader has the prayerful task of reviewing the needs of the individual and then matching those needs with the gifts of the Stephen Ministers who are available to provide care. Please trust your Stephen Leader with this task. Our experience has shown that God has a wonderful way of pairing up the exactly right caregiver with the situation!"

  "Finally, the assigned Stephen Minister contacts the care receiver and arrangements are made for the “first caring visit”.

"When, Where, and How does that all come together?"

  "The individual and their caregiver discuss schedules, and choose a time and place to meet where they can have privacy and focus. For some, a quiet meeting at their home might be perfect. For others, a site away from family and friends like a restaurant, coffee shop, or park might be a better choice. Together, they find a solution which works for the individual."

"How often and how long would they meet?"

  "There are no set rules, but a general rule of thumb has developed that usually care receivers and caregivers decide to meet once a week for about an hour. Sometimes, when a face-to-face visit is not possible, a caring phone call is used to substitute, but care must be taken to preserve confidentiality by carefully choosing the conversation setting.

"God’s people caring for God’s people. That's a wonderful idea !!"

  "Yes, it is a wonderful idea, and one that works."

Arm in arm, the two friends walk out into God's warming sunshine, and towards the last two cars in the church parking lot.....

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