Stephen Ministry

"Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ."  Galatians 6:2


About Stephen Ministry

Calvary Church is now a Stephen Ministry Congregation!

Stephen Ministry congregations equip and empower lay caregivers—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting. A Stephen Minister usually provides care to one person at a time, meeting with that person once a week for about an hour. Twice a month, Stephen Ministers gather with their Stephen Leaders for supervision and continuing education. Care receivers are people struggling through a difficult time in life—experiencing grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or some other life crisis.

  • The relationship between a care receiver and a Stephen Minister is confidential.
  • Men are matched with men; women with women.
  • When a care receiver’s needs exceed what a Stephen Minister can provide, the Stephen Ministry team makes a referral to an appropriate mental health professional or other community resource.

Since Stephen Ministry was founded in 1975:

  • More than 13,000 congregations have enrolled in the Stephen Series.
  • More than 75,000 pastors and lay leaders from those congregations have been equipped at Leader’s Training Courses.
  • More than 600,000 laypeople have received Stephen Minister training.
  • More than one-and-a-half-million people have had a Stephen Minister to walk with them, providing one-to-one Christian care during tough times.

Learn more about Stephen Ministry


 

Stephen Minister training:

  • Is typically taught in 20 weekly 2 hour sessions 
  • Combines pre-class reading, devotions, lecture, video presentation, discussion, and skill practice

Here is what Stephen Ministers say about the training:

  • Stephen Minister training teaches principles and skills that equip you to provide high-quality, Christ-centered emotional and spiritual care to others.
  • You gain insight into the thoughts, feelings, and actions of people who are hurting.
  • You develop relational and caring skills you can apply to all aspects of your life.
  • You deepen your faith as the Holy Spirit fashions you into a Christ-centered caregiver.
  • You feel a special bond with those in your class—experiencing real Christian community.
  • Stephen Minister training is a lot of fun!

Training Opportunities at Calvary:

Check back soon for more Stephen Minister Training opportunities at Calvary!  Questions? Contact Sheryl Larsen at 714-550-2314 or email her at


Training materials include:

  • The Stephen Minister Training Manuals 1 and 2
  • Christian Caregiving: a Way of Life
  • Speaking the Truth in Love: How to Be an Assertive Christian
  • When and How to Use Mental Health Resources:
    (Materials require a $25 donation, refundable when a graduate begins serving as a Stephen Minister)



For additional questions, please contact our Stephen Ministry leader and Counseling Pastor, Jim McCarty, at 714-550-2352 or email him at