Stephen Ministry

The Stephen Ministry program is a nationally known ecumenical ministry that provides confidential one on one pastoral and spiritual care for those in need of such support. This ministry is provided by lay members of the congregation, all of whom have received lengthy training in the philosophy and methods of caring ministry. They are, however, not trained to do counseling — if counseling is needed, the Stephen minister will refer the person to the appropriate providers.

Information about Stephen Ministries and their work can be found at their website.  Below you will find a statement from Stephen Ministries as to their core purpose. For more information or referrals to CWCC’s Stephen Ministry, please contact the church office.

The Purpose of Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministries’ Core Purpose is summed up in the words of St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians. These verses have been rendered by renowned calligrapher Timothy Botts on the entryway wall to the Stephen Ministries Center, boldly proclaiming the mission to everyone who enters.

“To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12-13).

The Core Values of Stephen Ministries

• Incarnational theology
• Ministry as the privilege and responsibility of all God’s people
  
• Empowering those we serve to get excellent results
  
• Personal humility
  
• Organizational stability
• Positive work environment