The Stephen Ministry program is completely confidential. Stephen Ministers are trained and committed to help in all types of situations of crisis and need. If you would like to speak to someone about receiving assistance from a Stephen Minister, please call Rev. Brenda at 678-0488.

Please call Rev. Brenda if you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister.

Stephen Ministry Program

Avon Congregational Church
Avon, CT

The Avon Congregational Church has made the commitment to become an active Stephen Ministries church. Stephen Ministry is a program of our congregation that seeks to equip lay persons to provide distinctively Christian one-to-one care to those in our church who are experiencing a variety of life needs. These needs include, but are not limited to: those grieving the loss of a loved one; the homebound or institutionalized; those with a job crisis; the aging and elderly; those needing the support of a Christian friend; and those facing transitions. Stephen Ministers are committed Christian people who express God’s care through their lives to others. They receive 50 hours of initial training in caring ministry skills and concepts. After completing their initial training, Stephen Ministers are commissioned for their work in the church where they visit another person regularly and dependably and offer Christian support and care. They participate in regular support and supervision under the guidance of trained Stephen Leaders. If you have a need, please contact one of the Stephen's ministers through the church office.

Stephen Ministry is. . .

A system of training and organizing lay persons for caring ministry in and around their parish.

Stephen Leaders are. . .

Pastors, church staff, and lay persons who train at a seven-day Leader's Training Course to implement the Stephen Ministry program in their parish and community.

Stephen Ministers are Committed Christians who:

• express to others God's care through their lives;
• receive 50 hours of initial training in important caring ministry skills and concepts;
• are commissioned as Stephen Ministers after completing their initial training;
• visit another person regularly and dependably and offer Christian support and care;
• receive regular support and supervision under the guidance of trained Stephen Leaders;
• are committed to preserving the confidential nature of the caring relationship;
• serve for at least two years;
• receive continuing education and skill building throughout their years of service.

Stephen Ministries is. . .

An organization in St. Louis that develops, distributes, provides training in the use of, and supports ministry systems for congregations throughout the world.

The Stephen Series equips lay people to provide effective caring ministry to. . .

• the hospitalized
• the terminally ill and their families
• people who are homebound
• those with a job crisis
• inactive members of the congregation
• those facing life transitions
• the aging and elderly
• those with disabilities and their families
• the separated or divorced
• the lonely
• households experiencing birth or adoption
• new members in church or community

Stephen Ministry is confidential ministry: those receiving care can be sure that their identity and what goes on in the caring relationship will remain private.

Multiplies the Ministry of Congregations . .

• Increases significantly the number of parishioners involved in ongoing, caring ministry
• Gives pastors/priests renewed joy and fulfillment as they equip others and so extend the reach of their own ministries.
• Enables the entire parish to grow as a warm, loving, nurturing, community as the contagious caring of Stephen Ministers expands to touch more and more lives.
• Stephen Ministers apply caring skills to other important relationships and discover that their whole lives are enriched.
• Pastor/Priest, church staff, and lay people form a strong and supportive ministry to bring God's care to others.
• Increases significantly the number of parishioners involved in ongoing, caring ministry .
• Gives pastors/priests renewed joy and fulfillment as they equip others and so extend the reach of their own ministries.
• Enables the entire parish to grow as a warm, loving, nurturing, community as the contagious caring of Stephen Ministers expands to touch more and more lives.

People who receive ministry from lay persons in the Stephen Series

• receive quality Christian care
• deepen their relationship with the Lord
• increase involvement in their parish willingly accept and value ministry from another lay person.