Stephen Ministry at St. John

At St. John, we believe no one should have to walk through life’s hardships alone. That conviction led to the launch of our Stephen Ministry – a Christ-centered care ministry built on compassion, presence, and faithful listening.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.”   – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

What Is Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministry connects trained members of our congregation with individuals going through difficult seasons such as:
• Grief
• Illness
• Job loss
• Family struggles
• Loneliness or feeling overwhelmed

A Stephen Minister:
• Provides one-to-one, Christ-centered care
• Listens without judgment
• Offers prayer and encouragement
• Walks alongside someone rather than trying to fix problems

Our Vision:
St John Lutheran Stephen Ministry exists to provide confidential, Christ-centered care with those facing life’s hardships; sharing compassionate listening, prayer, and support to ensure no one walks alone.

Our Mission:
Confidential, Christ-centered care… so no one walks alone.

Roles in Stephen Ministry:

Stephen Ministers
Provide direct, one-on-one care.
• Complete approximately 50 hours of training
• Commit to regular, ongoing meetings with one care receiver
• Offer consistent support through life’s challenges

Stephen Leaders
Support and guide the ministry behind the scenes.
• Assist with training new Stephen Ministers
• Provide encouragement and supervision
• Help ensure the ministry stays organized and faithful to its mission

Both roles are essential to a strong and effective ministry.

A Meaningful Way to Serve
Stephen Ministry is carried out by people just like you – church members who feel called to care for others in a deeper way.
You may be a great fit if you:
• Have a heart for helping others
• Are a compassionate listener
• Want to make a difference in someone’s life
• Are willing to commit your time and presence
You don’t need to have all the answers, training will equip you with what you need.

Why It Matters
In a time when many people feel isolated or unsure where to turn, Stephen Ministry is a reminder that God’s care often comes through people.
There is a real and growing need for individuals willing to step into this role.
Pastors remain the primary caregivers within the church. Stephen Ministry supports their work by expanding the network of care, equipping members of the congregation to walk alongside others while pastors focus on needs that require their specific role.

Get Involved

If you feel called to serve as a Stephen Minister or Stephen Leader, we would love to talk with you.

Contact the Becky Garza: stjohnboernestephenministry@gmail.com or Pastor Weber at 830-249-3651 to learn more. Together, we can ensure that no one has to walk alone through difficult times.

Q&A / FAQs

Who Is Involved?

Stephen Leaders
Stephen Leaders guide and support the ministry. They help recruit, select, and train Stephen Ministers, provide ongoing supervision, identify those who may need care, and match them with a Stephen Minister.

Stephen Ministers
Stephen Ministers are trained lay caregivers from the congregation. They complete in-depth training in Christian caregiving, including skills like listening, understanding emotions, maintaining healthy boundaries, and offering compassionate support.

Care Receivers
Care receivers are individuals from our church or community who are facing challenges such as grief, job loss, divorce, illness, or loneliness. A Stephen Minister typically meets with their care receiver once a week for about an hour, continuing for as long as support is needed.

Who Are Stephen Ministers?
Stephen Ministers are congregation members equipped and commissioned for caring ministry. They come from many different backgrounds, ages, and walks of life, but all have one important thing in common: a heart for bringing Christ’s healing love to hurting people.
In short, Stephen Ministers are people like you – caring Christians who want to make a difference in the lives of those going through difficult times.

What Do Stephen Ministers Do?
A Stephen Minister walks alongside a hurting person to provide one-to-one, emotional and spiritual care – listening, empathizing, encouraging, helping process feelings, and connecting the person with God’s love. Serving in this role is an opportunity to put your spiritual gifts into action and touch people’s lives in powerful ways.
Typically, a Stephen Minister meets with his or her care receiver in person for about an hour a week.

Are Stephen Ministers Counselors?
No. Stephen Ministers are not professional counselors. They are trained caregivers whose role is to listen and care, not to give advice or solve problems. They are also trained to recognize when someone may need additional help beyond their role and can assist in connecting them with appropriate resources.

Who Do Stephen Ministers Care For?
Stephen Ministers provide care for care receivers, people in the congregation or community who are experiencing difficulties in life, such as grief, job loss, divorce, major illness, spiritual struggles, and so on. In the midst of challenging times, receiving care from a Stephen Minister can make a significant difference.

What Is Stephen Minister Training Like?
Stephen Minister training is an engaging, interactive experience that fully equips you to provide high-quality, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting. Stephen Leaders train Stephen Ministers. They use presentations, discussions, readings, videos, skill practices, and spiritual growth activities to equip and empower you with practical caregiving and relational skills. In addition, the training provides many opportunities for building Christian community and experiencing personal and spiritual growth.

Stephen Ministers often say that their training was life-transforming, helping them to grow in faith and learn relationship principles and skills that deepened and enhanced all the relationships in their life.

How Can I Become a Stephen Minister or Leader?
What Do I Do Next?
First, pray about the opportunity to serve as a Stephen Minister. Seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance and consider how God might be calling you to ministry.
Then, talk with St. John’s Stephen Leader (Becky Garza: stjohnboernestephenministry@gmail.com) or Pastor Weber about applying for you’re the next Stephen Minister training class. They’ll let you know what the next steps are and, if you’re selected, when training will begin.
God bless you as you prayerfully consider becoming a part of this crucial caring ministry.

FUN FACTS:

Where Did Stephen Ministry Begin?
Stephen Ministry began in 1975, founded by Dr. Kenneth Haugk, a pastor and clinical psychologist, as a way to expand caregiving within the church.

Why the Name “Stephen”?
The name comes from St. Stephen, recognized as the first layperson commissioned by the apostles to provide care for others (Acts 6).

What Does The Stephen Ministry Logo Mean?

The broken person behind the cross symbolizes the brokenness in our lives due to our sin and imperfections. The whole person stands in front of the cross because it is only through the cross of Jesus that we are made whole. The circle symbolizes both the wholeness we receive through Christ and God’s unending love for us.