Stephen Ministry
The Stephen Ministry program at Castleton United Methodist Church began in 1984,
and has equipped more than 100 lay members of our congregation to provide distinctively Christian one-on-one care to those who are experiencing all kinds of life's challenges.
Stephen Ministry is not a fix-it program, but a talking and listening program. A Stephen Minister's role: to serve as a Christian friend who listens, cares, prays, supports and encourages ... for as long as the need exists.
Who Might Benefit?
Times arise in all our lives when we may need the care and compassion of another person. As a Christian friend, a Stephen Minister can provide encouragement and support to help others through difficult times, which could include:
Personal or family struggles and stresses
Serious illness
Grieving after a death
Losing a job
Separation or divorce
Loneliness or discouragement
Who We Are
Stephen Ministers ARE:
Confidential
Non-judgmental
Dependable
Good Listeners
Christian Friends
Stephen Ministers Are NOT:
Professional counselors or therapists
Ordained ministers
Problem "fixers"
How the Program Works
A request for a Stephen Minister can be made by speaking with a pastor, a Stephen Minister or by calling 317-284-0834 and leaving a message. Once a request is received,
a Castleton UMC Stephen Minister Referrals Coordinator matches the person requesting care with a Stephen Minister of the same gender. Typically, the care giver and receiver meet for an hour a week, usually in person but sometimes by phone.
How to Become a Stephen Minister
Castleton UMC offers 50 hours of formal Stephen Ministry training in weekly classes, studying listening skillls and how to minister to someone with a particular need. Following the training, Stephen Ministers attend monthly supervision meetings which include continuing education.
The next training class is scheduled to meet on Thursday evenings begining in March, 2012. For more information, contact a Stephen Minister by calling the church office at 317-849-2947. An application is required, followed by an interview process. You can download the application to be completed.
Stephen Ministry National Program
Stephen Ministry is a nationwide program and was named for Stephen, the first lay person appointed by the Disciples to "go out and help meet the needs of the people." Click here to visit the the national website. Additional information can also be found in the attached pamphlet.
For Current CUMC Stephen Ministers
Monthly meetings are the 4th Tuesday of each month, beginning at 6:45 p.m.
in room 206.
Peer Supervision forms may be downloaded but access is password-protected. If you have misplaced your password, please contact a leader.
