how one becomes a Stephen Minister at Covenant Presbyterian Church:

1. Sign up through the church office (via the Stephen Ministry extension, 433-3051 ext. 180) or contact a Stephen Leader.
2. Attend the 50 hours of training.
3. Be recommended to the diaconate to become a Stephen Minister.
4. Be commissioned as a Stephen Minister before the congregation.

After completing the 50 hours of training, candidates are eligible to be commissioned by the Covenant Presbyterian Church Session.

Stephen ministers are trained in the following areas.

initial training: 18 modules, 50 hours

1. The Person of the Caregiver
2. Feelings: Yours, Mine, and Ours
3. The Art of Listening
4. Distinctively Christian Caregiving
5. Process versus Results in Caregiving
6. Assertiveness: Relating Gently and Firmly
7. Maintaining Boundaries in Caregiving
8. Crisis Theory and Practice: Danger versus Opportunity
9. Confidentiality
10. Telecare: The Next Best Thing to Being There
11. Using Mental Health Professionals and other Community Resources
12. Ministering to those Experiencing Grief
13. Dealing with Depression: The Stephen Minister's Role
14. Helping Suicidal Persons Get the Help They Need
15. Bringing the Caring Relationship to a Close
16. Supervision: A Key to Quality Christian Care
17. How to Make a First Caring Visit
18. Follow Me

continuing education training topics: 7 modules, 17.5 hours

19. Ministry to the Dying and their Family and Friends
20. Caring for People before, during, and after Hospitalization
21. Ministering to Those Experiencing Losses Related to Aging
22. Ministering to Persons Needing Long Term Care
23. Ministering to those Experiencing Divorce
24. Crises of Pregnancy and Childbirth
25. Providing Spiritual Care

count the cost

1. time commitment
• 2 year commitment as a Stephen Minister
• 50 hours of initial training
• 2x monthly Supervision meeting
• 1 hr. weekly with care receiver
2. materials cost
• $50 for training materials