Christ caring for people through people.
An international and trans-denominational program to expand lay ministry in local congregations.

Highland enrolled in the Stephen Ministries program in 1991in order to equip HUMC members to serve Christ through confidential caring relationships. These are a few examples of the type of situations that have benefited from this ministry: someone going through a divorce, someone experiencing grief, someone with a terminal illness, someone who suffered a job loss, or someone with post partum depression.

We have had 12 Stephen Leaders (commissioned at national sessions) who have trained 60 Stephen Ministers, who have in turn, provided quiet yet powerful one-on-one care to an average of 12 persons each year.

A Stephen Minister is different from a close friend, and it's important to understand the distinction. In a time of grief or crisis, the care receiver benefits from the care of both a Stephen Minister and close friends. Stephen Ministers have a lot in common with close friends. You can depend on them; you can trust them; you know that they'll keep confidential whatever you tell them. They'll be there for you and help you through a rough time. But the Stephen Minister's role is different from the role of a close friend.

A Stephen Ministry relationship is one-sided. Stephen Ministers listen, reflect thoughts and feelings, and care. Stephen Ministers don't share their own problems with the care receiver as a friend might. They focus only on the care receiver's issues, and they bring in their own experience only when they sense that they might be able to shed some light on the care receiver's situation. But such sharing is rare and always geared toward the care receiver's needs, not the Stephen Minister's.

The relationship has been established for a reason--so that the Stephen Minister can walk with the care receiver through a difficult time. The Stephen Minister knows this, and the care receiver knows this. Therefore, when the Stephen Minister arrives at the care receiver's home (perhaps after just a little bit of small talk), the two can dive right into deep emotional or spiritual issues. The Stephen Minister knows he or she "has permission" to ask questions about difficult experiences. Likewise, the care receiver knows he or she "has permission" to share painful feelings. The relationship has been established with a clear purpose in mind.

Stephen Ministers go through 50 hours of training, regular continuing education, and twice-monthly small group peer supervision. They are trained caregivers--very highly trained caregivers. They have skills in active listening, dealing with feelings, Christian caregiving, setting boundaries, relating assertively, process-oriented caring, crisis intervention, and ministering in a wide range of situations. Their care isn't casual, as a friend's might be.

Most importantly, Stephen Ministers rely on God to direct their actions and help them as they care for their care receivers. Stephen Ministers pray for their care receivers and may pray with them when they welcome prayer. Stephen Ministry care is based on grace; Stephen Ministers strive to be the face of Christ to their care receivers. Friendships may have a spiritual perspective, but Stephen Ministry relationships always do. The Stephen Minister is always sensitive to the care receiver's needs in this aspect, never forcing prayers or Bible verses into the relationship. But Stephen Ministers often focus on spiritual as well as emotional and psychological hurts as they minister to their care receivers.

Anyone who is interested in learning more about our ministry or who may know of someone who would benefit from a caring listener, please contact either of the pastors at 787-4240 or Kay Boone at 596-1161.