What is Stephen Ministry?

Stephen Ministry is a lay ministry of our congregation in which members are trained to provide care through one-to-one relationships to those who are facing life challenges or difficulties. 

What is a Stephen Minister?

• A caring Christian who really listens and offers support in time of need
• A trained Christian who has received 50 hours of training in how to provide distinctively Christian care

• A dedicated Christian committed to preserving the confidentiality of the caring relationship

How can a Stephen Minister be helpful?

Stephen Ministry is grounded in Jesus' command to love one another.  Everyone goes through difficulties.  Having someone to care, to listen, to share God's love with you, can help you get through your confusion, stress, or loneliness.  Consider allowing a Stephen Minister to walk with you on your journey to wholeness. Stephen Ministers help meet the needs of individuals who are experiencing:

• grievous loss
• separation or divorce
• job or financial difficulty
• spiritual challenge
•  life-changing situation

A Stephen Minister is NOT a:

• counselor or therapist
• problem solver
• casual visitor

 How does one request the help of a Stephen Minister or find out more about Stephen Ministry?

Please contact the Referrals Coordinators: Joy Walker jdwalker35@verizon.net or Annabelle Hargreaves if a person-either you, a relative, or a friend-- is experiencing a difficult time and in need of Christian care.  The person will be contacted to explore how Stephen Ministry might be helpful.

 If appropriate, and with the person's permission, the Referrals Coordinator arranges for a Stephen Minister with similar life experiences to meet with the person. 

The Stephen Minister continues to provide distinctively Christian care for the person, normally through weekly visits, until there is mutual agreement to close the formal relationship.

  History of Stephen Ministry at Highland 

•  Since the beginning of Stephen Ministry at Highland in 1994, over 3,500 hours of caring have been provided for more than 250 members and      

            friends

• Highland participates in a Stephen Ministry network with 30 other churches in Lancaster County.
•  Highland Stephen Ministers go on to serve as Elders, Deacons, Parish Nurses, and caring servants throughout their congregation and community.
• More than 90 members have been trained as Stephen Ministers.

Testimonial letters of Highland members who have had a Stephen Minister

 My husband had been sick for several months and I knew he was terminally ill.  I thought I was prepared for his death, but after he died, I slipped into a depression that lasted four months.  Gradually, I began to realize that I could go on without him.  However, I wondered why I didn't ask for and accept the gift of a Stephen Minister that Highland offers.  Was it that I believed the friends who told me what a strong woman I was?  Was it that I had been a caregiver and therefore couldn't ask for help?  Like many experiences, a lesson I learned was an understanding of how difficult it is to admit that I couldn't quite make it alone.

I would encourage anyone who could use confidential, caring support for a month, several months, a year, or however long it takes to get back on their feet to accept the gift of a Stephen Minister.

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Do you ever feel overwhelmed by what life can throw at you sometimes?  Ever wish you had help through the hard times? 

After moving to Lancaster from out of state, our first days here changed from joy to sadness when my spouse became ill very suddenly.  I was left to deal with the move, with doctor's visits, hospitalization, making new friends, finding the "right" Church for me, locating appropriate craftsmen and all the details that went with both situations. 

Within a week, my spouse was placed in assisted living, and I didn't know where to turn.  I decided to call Highland Church. Very shortly a Stephen Minister was assigned to me. A wave of relief washed over me as we met week after week and I came to rely on her caring concern for me.

We continued our contact for a year.  My Stephen Minister brought God's love to me every time I needed her.  Every time she walked through my door, we said a prayer of thanks together.  All I needed to do was ask for help.

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Since moving to Lancaster over 10 years ago, I have had several traumatic events in my life and Highland's Stephen Ministry has been a real blessing for me.  The friendship, kindness, caring and help which Stephen Ministers gave, I shall always remember.  The Highland Pastors were also very kind and caring.  The Stephen Ministers provided an excellent source of additional Christian and confidential support including inspiring Bible reading and prayers.  I have found the friendships developed during those stressful times continue to grow.  I would highly recommend this ministry.