Becoming a Care Receiver

Care receivers are referred to Stephen Ministry by the FCC Pastor, the Stephen Leader Team or another person at FCC who is concerned for the care receiver.  Care receivers are persons experiencing stress who could benefit from a one-on-one relationship with another person who will listen, support and pray for or pray with the care receiver. 

The relationship between the care receiver and Stephen Ministry is a formalized through a referral and matching process that is handled by the Stephen Leader Team.  When a referral is made one of the Stephen Leaders will meet with the potential care receiver to discuss what is involved in having a Stephen Minister assigned.  The Stephen Leader will also ask the care receiver to sign the Care Receiver Info Agreement Form which describes the boundaries of the care being provided.

Care provided by a Stephen Ministry is confidential.  What is discussed with your Stephen Minister will be kept confidential as described in the Agreement to Receive Care.

Stephen Ministers participate in more than 25 hours of training with the Stephen Leaders before being assigned to a care receiver.  They are supervised by the Leaders on an on-going basis and meet regularly in peer supervision.  This is necessary and required to provide quality care and help Stephen Ministers grow in their care taking role.  They may share small amounts of information, but they will not share your name or other information that would allow others to identify you.   The purpose of supervision is to help the Stephen Minister provide you with the best care possible.

Stephen Ministers meet individually with care receivers weekly for about an hour to listen and support the care receiver.  They serve in their role as volunteers in this ministry.

If you have questions about being a care receiver, contact the Stephen Ministry Coordinator, Ginnie Sherer, or Pastor Jack Seville.

Bear one another's burdens, and in this way fulfill the law of Christ.  -- Galatians 6:2