Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry
Contact Stephen Ministry Leaders:
Rev. Scott Simpson: scotts@fpcsat.org – 210-271-2712
What is Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministry is a non-denominational Christian ministry, the keystone being our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It takes its name from the first Christian martyr, Stephen, who was stoned to death because he took up the Great Commission of Christ to spread the Gospel.
How does it work?
Stephen Ministry has been a vital part of our congregational service for several years. A volunteer caregiver is assigned to a congregation member who has sought support from the church family for such varied needs as ongoing companionship and friendship, prayer when dealing with ill-health, or challenging family relationships such as the death of a loved one or divorce.
Stephen Ministers serve on a gender basis, women ministers caring for women, men ministers caring for men. The ministry is confidential – the names of care receivers are never made public, and Stephen Ministers are not charged with solving problems – they listen, they befriend, they support, and they are knowledgeable about resources that may be available to the care receiver. A Stephen Minister normally meets with her or his care receiver once a week.
Can you help?
The Stephen Leaders at First Presbyterian Church invite all those in the church interested in becoming servants for Christ as Stephen Ministers to prayerfully consider this call to service. It could be one of the most significant calls you ever made to serve the Gospel of Christ.
How does a Stephen Minister help?
Stephen Ministers are not:
• Counselors or therapists
• Ordained pastors
• Problem fixers
Stephen Ministers are:
• Good listeners
• Non-judgmental
• Confidential
• Dependable Christian friends
With a Stephen Minister’s help you can:
• Learn positive attitudes, healthy expectations, and a realistic self-image
• Develop stronger ties with a community of caring Christians
• Understand the role of suffering in life
• Accept and give forgiveness and grace
• Start or strengthen relationship with God, in faith
What a Stephen Minister will do:
• Visit with you on a regular basis (usually for an hour each week)
• Listen to you
• Offer referrals if needed
• Pray with you
• Offer Christian support for as long as you feel you need it
Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry
Those receiving care can be sure that their identity and what goes on in the caring relationship will remain private. Consider allowing a Stephen Minister to walk with you on your path to wholeness.
Request a Stephen Minister
Email Rev. Scott Simpson; scotts@fpcsat.org or call 210-226-0215 ext 212.
Considering whether to serve in Stephen Ministry?
“Your presence is worth much, much more than words. Your presence communicates to the other that they are valued, precious and beloved. Your presence brings not only the gift of yourself into the relationship, but also, in and through you, the gift of God.”
-Kenneth Haugk, founder of Stephen Ministries.
Contact: Rev. Scott Simpson, 210-271-2712, scotts@fpcsat.org.
Are you interested in becoming a Stephen Minister?
Stephen Ministers are trained caregivers who walk alongside a person in need and offer Christ’s love and caring. Each Minister goes through a 20 week training period led by Rev. Scott Simpson and Rev. Dr. Joe Moore.
Click Here for Stephen Ministry Forms 2018
How long it will it take to become prepared?
If you feel called to this caring ministry, preparation takes 20 weeks (50 hours of instruction) and every minute is worth the effort. Recordings of our training will be available for make up sessions on the Video Archive tab above.
Topics include:
• Feelings: Yours, Mine, and Ours
• Listening: The Art and the Practice
• Process versus Results
• Assertiveness: Relating Gently and Firmly
• Maintaining Boundaries
• Crisis Theory and Practice
• Confidentiality
• Experiencing Grief
• Dealing with Depression
Apply for the Course
To apply for the Stephen Minister Course, email Rev. Scott Simpson at scotts@fpcsat.org.
Fall 2022 Training
Tuesday, August 23 – December 13 | 6:00 PM | Room 226
Description: Stephen Minister training teaches principles and skills that equip you to provide high-quality, Christ-centered emotional and spiritual care to others. It gives you new insight into the thoughts, feelings, and actions of people who are hurting, equipping you with relational and caring skills you can apply to all aspects of your life. The training helps deepen your faith as the Holy Spirit fashions you into a Christ-centered caregiver and builds a special bond of Christian community and camaraderie among all those in your class. Our class is highly interactive, engaging, and a lot of fun!
Training Videos
Our Fall 2022 weekly training sessions will be recorded and uploaded here for you to watch, in case you missed a session or if you are just interested in Stephen Ministry.
There are a number of required books for the course which you can see below and on the schedule.
404 N. Alamo Street
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone 210-226-0215
