Stephen Ministries

"Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2, NRSV)

Your Stephen Ministers at St. Michael are Lori Klein, Steve Lacombe, Karen Lewis, Lanny Lewis and Rob Furr.  

Stephen Ministers are lay congregation members trained to provide confidential one-to-one care to those experiencing a difficult time in life, such as relocation, grief including bereavement, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or relocation. 

Pastor David attends our monthly supervisory sessions and provides guidance from the perspectives of a pastor and an experienced social worker. Lanny Lewis and Rob Furr also administer the program as Stephen Leaders. 

The services are confidential, including the existence of the caring relationship. Care Receivers may choose to share their stories, and some have.  Click HERE for some examples.  Learn more about Stephen Ministries here.

If you become aware of a need for Stephen Ministry services, please contact Pastor David, Lanny or Rob. 

Stephen Ministry offers a proven and effective way to organize, equip, and supervise a team of congregation members—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people in the congregation and community who are experiencing life difficulties.

Stephen Ministers are trained congregation members who offer care to people who are hurting.  A Stephen Minister typically has one care receiver at a time. Care receivers are people like all of us who have experienced a loss or a life difficulty. Stephen Ministers and care receivers usually meet once a week for about an hour. Men meet with men, and women meet with women. 

Whether it’s the the pink slip in your paycheck, after the doctors have said there’s nothing more they can do, after the relationship ends but the heart is still broken, after family and friends have heard your story one time too many but you still need to talk … that’s when a Stephen Minister can help.

What do they do for an hour? Why do both find the meetings useful? The Stephen Ministry relationship provides a safe, confidential relationship to discuss – and pray about – things that may be weighing on a care receiver’s heart. Care receivers occasionally choose to share their experiences.

Learn more about Stephen Ministries here.

Might you, or someone you know, benefit from Stephen Ministry? 

Please contact Pastor David:  smlc1517@gmail.com