North Raleigh United Methodist Church

STEPHEN MINISTRY

Our congregation's Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide one-to-one Christian care to people in our congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties in their lives. Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry.  The identity of those receiveing care and everything they discuss with a Stephen Minister remain private.  If you are in need of a Stephen Minister or would like more information, email info@nrumc.org.

 

A Stephen Minister Is...

  • A child of God who walks beside someone who is hurting
  • A congregation member who is carefully selected to serve in this role because of his or her caregiving fits
  • A layperson with 50 hours of training in providing high-quality, distinctively Christian care
  • A caring Christian friend who listens, cares, prays, supports, and encourages.
  • Someone who meets faithfully each week with his or her care receiver for as long as there's a need.

Interested in becoming a Stephen Minister?

Stephen Ministers' Commitment

This is a 24-month commitment that includes the initial 50 hours of training, then the regular visits with care receiver(s) (either weekly or at a mutually-agreed-upon frequency) and twice-monthly Small Group Peer Supervision and Continuing Education sessions.

 

Stephen Ministers are Commissioned Servants

  1. Willingness to give oneself in servanthood is vital.
  2. The level of one's education is not important, but the level of one's commitment as a Christian and one's desire to care for others is important.
  3. Stephen Ministers are commissioned at the end of the 50-hour training program.
  4. Confidentiality is an absolute must.

 

Thank you for your prayers and support! For more information about Stephen Ministry, email info@nrumc.org.

 

Who We Serve

We all experience challenges in life-times when we could benefit from care and support.  Stephen Ministers can provide the emotional and spiritual care we need when faced with a crisis or difficulty such as-

 

  • Loss of loved one
  • Hospitalization
  • Divorce or seperation
  • Loneliness or discouragement
  • Spiritual crisis
  • Unemployment or a job crisis
  • Terminal illness

 

  • Incarceration
  • Aging
  • Birth, adoption, miscarriage, or infertility
  • Chronic illness
  • Relocation
  • Recovery after an accident or disaster
  • Many other life challenges

In Need of Care?

Could you benefit from the confidential, one-to-one care and support of a Stephen Minister? Do you know someone else- perhaps a friend, neighbor, coworker, or relative- who could benefit from Stephen Ministry? Fill out the confidential form below, contact a pastor or the church office to learn more.

The PBS "Religion and Ethics" news show aired an eight-minute feature on Stephen Ministry that describes the life-changing outreach happening in thousands of congregations like ours.

Stephen Ministry Resources

National Stephen Ministry

National Caregivers Library