Stephen Ministry training combines sound theological principles with contemporary psychology.  The training is top-notch.  The skills our Stephen Ministers will learn and practice will prepare them to provide a very high level of Christian care-giving.  The training is intense because it explores some serious life issues, but it is also a growth-producing and enjoyable experience.
 
The 50 hours of Stephen Ministry training is broken down into twenty 2 ½-hour sessions that will be held at the church on Tuesday evenings plus two weekend “retreats.” 

 

Among the training topics are:

  • Feelings: Your, Mine, and Ours
  • The Art of Listening
  • Distinctively Christian Caring
  • Assertiveness: Relating Gently and Firmly
  • Maintaining Boundaries in Caregiving
  • Confidentiality
  • Ministering to Those Experiencing Grief
  • Caring for People Before, During, and After Hospitalization

One Stephen Minister in another congregation said, “Before becoming a Stephen Leader, I went through the Stephen Minister training myself.  I expected to learn a lot about care-giving, but I didn’t anticipate the personal and spiritual growth I experienced.  Looking back, perhaps what I enjoyed the most was the close Christian community formed with everyone in our training class.”  It sounds like our nine trainees are in for a really life-changing experience.
 
Members of this new training class are:

  • Don Brunts
  • Don Blanding
  • Kristi Ribble
  • Shelley Waugh
  • Leslie Shaull
  • Valerie Payne
  • Kevin Treese
  • Melissa Truel
  • Sharon Fairless

More than half a million people have gone through Stephen Ministry training in more than 10,000 churches world-wide since the ministry began in 1975.