Using Resources Outside of Stephen Ministry
A Stephen Minister seeks to care for the whole person of the care receiver. Usually, a Stephen Minister can provide all the help a hurting person needs by offering one-to-one, confidential, emotional, and spiritual support, trusting God to provide healing. At times, however, a care receiver’s needs for care may fall outside what Stephen Ministers are equipped to provide.
A Care Receiver may need a type of help, such as transportation, childcare, financial, educational, legal, or medical assistance that is outside of Stephen Ministry. A Care Receiver may need a different level of help than a Stephen Minister is qualified to provide, such as psychological care from a mental health professional or spiritual guidance from Pastor Eric Trozzo.
Trainees have recently been studying two modules: “Caring for Those with Depression: The Stephen Minister’s Role” and “Understanding Suicide: How to Help People Get the Care They Need”. They have been learning to be alert for signs that additional help might be needed by their care receivers.
What matters most is helping the Care Receiver connect to the appropriate type and level of care that a person needs. Our Stephen Ministry Team is currently up-dating the congregation’s Community Resources Handbook.
—Sue Kuhn, Stephen Leader