The PBS "Religion and Ethics" news show recently aired an eight-minute feature on Stephen Ministry that vividly describes the life-changing ministry happening in thousands of congregations. View the Stephen Ministry feature on the PBS Web site, where you'll also find several bonus features--including a nine-minute interview with Stephen Ministries' founder and executive director, Kenneth C. Haugk.

Stephen Ministry is a one-on-one, gender-specific, confidential Christian care giving ministry to those experiencing difficulty in their lives. Stephen Ministers are church members who provide high-quality, Christian care to individuals experiencing a crisis or challenge (i.e. divorce, grief, loss of a job, hospitalization, relocation, loneliness, empty nest, etc.).

With support at a difficult time, most of us adapt sooner and better to the challenges we face. If you would like to discover how a Stephen Minister can walk with you through a time of need, talk with Pastor Matt or one of our other Stephen Leaders, at (405) 525-6584. 

What is a Stephen Minister?

A Stephen Minister IS:

• A caring, Christian friend who listens, cares, prays, supports, and encourages.
• A member of the congregation who is trained to be a caring listener.
• Part of a team that meets regularly for supervision and ongoing education, a team that includes persons with broad life experiences and/or professional training.  The team is under the direction of the Associate Pastor for Congregational Life and Learning.
• Someone willing to walk and talk with another, in fulfillment of our baptismal covenant to seek and serve Christ in all persons, aiming to love others as ourselves.

A Stephen Minister IS NOT:

• a therapist
• a problem solver
• a casual visitor

A Stephen Minister is appropriate for someone:

• loss of a loved one
• homebound
• bereaved
• in a job crisis
• overwhelmed
• impaired by illness or trauma
• newly divorced or in a failing relationship
• lonely
• in a troubling situation
• terminally ill
• newly retired
• in spirital crisis

(Seen in the photo are Stephen Leaders Blaine Moore, Rev. Matt Meinke, Dr. Edie King and Janet Eselin at Stephen Leader Training in St. Louis. In the center is the founder of Stephen Ministries, Dr. Kennth Haugk, a psychologist and associate pastor at Ste. Stephen Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Missouri.)  

What about confidentiality?

Confidentiality is at the heart of Stephen Ministry.  Only the care receiver his/her Stephen Minister, the Pastors, and the Referrals Coordinator will know of the assignment and the identity of the recipient.

Generally, a person is in contact with a Stephen Minister on a weekly basis over a span of weeks or months.  When appropriate, referrals into the wider support community are made, but this need not terminate the Stephen Minister contact. 

How to Refer:

• If referring oneself, contact a member of the clergy, preferably the Associate Pastor for Congregational Life and Learning - Pastor Matt.
• If referring a friend or relative, always obtain the person's permission first.
• Persons outside of First Presbyterian Church (OKC) can receive a Stephen Minister.
• The Pastor for Congregational Life and Learning meets the potential care receiver to become familiar with the situation.  If appropriate, referral is made to the Referrals Coordinator, who matches the person with a caregiver.

Is God calling me to serve as a Stephen Minister?

If you are a good listener and have a heart for people in difficult times, you'll find a place to serve in Stephen Ministry. Stephen Ministry training consists of 50 hours of training on such topics as listening, boundaries in care giving, speaking the truth in love, depression, praying with hurting individuals, and more. Volunteers agree to a two year term of commitment. 

Scroll to the bottom of this page for the dates and information about the next upcoming Stephen Ministry Training series.

(Above is one of our New Stephen Minister Classes)

To Know More

Stephen Ministry is coordinated by a team of five Stephen Leaders. If you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister or in receiving the caring ministry of a Stephen Minister, please call or email Pastor Matt or Pastor Carl (525-6584) or see Stephen Leaders Janet Eselin, Mary Ann Boucher, Dr. Edie King or Blaine Moore.

View the Stephen Ministry Brochure used at FPCOKC.

To learn more about Stephen Ministry, check out

www.stephenministries.org

Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of

these my sisters and brothers, ye have done

it to me. (Matthew 25:40)

Every other year, we offer Stephen Ministry Training, and commission our new Stephen Leaders on Palm Sunday.  Becoming a Stephen Minister is a serious endeavor, a journey which begins with over 50 hours of training.  In the past that has meant class every other week, from 6:30 until 9:00 p.m. for almost they whole year.  

If you feel God calling you to consider becoming a Stephen Minister and becoming a part of this powerful, caring, listening ministry, please visit with Dr. Matt Meinke, and also pray with God about it. 

Here is an overview of the 2011/2012 Class Schedule, to get an idea of the work that goes into this spiritual calling - 

                CLICK HERE  (Word format)

View ENTIRE Schedule, including homework assignments:

                  Full Schedule (Word)

                  Full Schedule (PDF)

If you are interested in being a part of the next series of training classes, print out an Application/Interest Form (in PDF format).  Be sure to click Download or Save, and fill it out.  Return to Pastor Matt by email matt@fpcokc.org or drop it in his box at church.  We will schedule an interview, and if you are accepted into the program, you will be asked to bring $30 to cover the cost of training materials.

Talk with any of our Stephen Leaders for more information.