Pray!  
Stephen Ministers pray daily for their care receivers and strive to worship God always in word and deed. They rely on the love and compassion of God to provide care to others. Care for the Care Receiver Stephen Ministers are assigned to care receivers—people in crisis who need caring support. The Stephen Minister’s care helps the care receiver resolve the difficulty and achieve growth. Most Stephen Ministers meet once a week with their care receivers for about an hour at a time. During these visits, Stephen Ministers use special skills to care for their care receivers. Among the most important are the following: Listening. Most care receivers need someone simply to listen—really listen—as they talk through their difficulties. Dealing with feelings. Stephen Ministers reflect the care receiver’s thoughts, feelings, and ideas and ask open-ended questions to help the care receiver recognize, express, and accept their feelings.

Sharing distinctively Christian caring resources 
Stephen Ministers may share a prayer, a Bible verse or story, or other caring gestures that the care receiver would welcome. Remaining focused on the process. Stephen Ministers do not try to fix care receivers or their problems; they focus on the process of caregiving and trust God for the results. Relating assertively. Stephen Ministers respect both the needs of the care receiver and their own needs.
 

Maintain Confidentiality  
Stephen Ministers understand that confidentiality is crucial in any caring relationship. The care receiver needs to know that what they say to the Stephen Minister will remain in confidence. Stephen Ministers maintain confidentiality and support one another in doing so.

Help Identify People in Need of Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministers act as ministers of referral, helping to identify people who would benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister and then connect them with that care.

Participate in Twice-Monthly Supervision and Continuing Education
Stephen Ministers participate faithfully in supervision and continuing education twice a month, coming prepared to every supervision session unless illness or emergency makes attendance impossible. Supervision provides Stephen Ministers with the ongoing support they need for their caring relationships.

 
Help the Congregation Understand and Appreciate Stephen Ministry Through their Service
Stephen Ministers help our congregation appreciate Stephen Ministry and encourage members to become ministers of referral, helping those in crisis receive the care they need.