Stephen Ministry at Davis Community Church

Davis Community Church
412 C Street, Davis, California 95616
Phone: 530-753-2894, Email:
Map to DCC (link) / Map of DCC (PDF)

Beloved of God, Let Us Love
(for more on what that means to us, see our vision and values statements)

Stephen Ministry

One way in which Davis Community Church’s vision, Beloved of God, let us love, is carried out is through the Stephen Ministry program. It is a one-to-one ministry. For over a dozen years, DCC has had an active program. Lay persons are trained to become careful, loving listeners who bring Christ’s healing power to those who are hurting. In the month of August (2005), Stephen Ministers spent over 40 hours listening to our care receivers. They keep all conversations confidential.

Stephen Ministers make a long-term commitment to walk alongside another who is going through a transition in their life such as divorce, loss of a loved one, depression, job loss, struggling with their faith, childbirth, terminal illness, surgery, legal problems and other difficulties for as long as needed.

STEPHEN MINISTRY IS . . .

A lay, caring ministry in which one person reaches out to another in time of need.
An ongoing helping relationship--people who need help, get help.
A meaningful way for our congregation to more fully use our talents in sharing one another's burdens and joys.

A STEPHEN MINISTER IS . . .

A caring Christian--desiring to offer his/her support to others in time of need.
A sharing Christian--bringing who s/he is to each helping relationship, as a partner in another's life experiences.
A trained Christian--having developed his/her helping skills through intensive coursework.
A dedicated Christian--commissioned by our congregation to confidential, in-depth caring.

A STEPHEN MINISTER IS NOT . . .

A professional counselor, psychologist, or therapist.
A social worker providing lots of physical services.
An expert in law, finance, church doctrine, etc.
A brief, superficial visitor, "touching base" with people now and then.

WHAT IS THE STEPHEN MINISTRY?

It is a one-to-one ministry by trained, caring parishioners.
It is a long term helping relationship focusing on the unique needs of each person.
It is a commitment to caring and supporting one another, to build a Christ-centered, sharing community.
It is a response to Christ's instruction . . . "to love one another as I have loved you."
It is a religious and educational system of training and organization, which is already working in many congregations throughout the country.
It is a ministry named after St. Stephen, the first deacon in the early church, commissioned by the apostles to care for the community's needs.

WHO IS A STEPHEN MINISTER?

A lay person, who through training will learn skills and develop his/her gifts for bringing Christ's healing love to people who are lonely, grieving, strangers, new parents, ill, or experiencing other stresses in life.
A caring and sharing person who reaches out a supporting hand to the spiritual, social, and emotional needs of our community.

WHAT KINDS OF NEEDS DOES STEPHEN MINISTRY ADDRESS?

People who are hospitalized
People who are grieving the loss of a loved one
People who are lonely
People who are depressed
People who are separated or in the process of divorce
People who are shut in
People experiencing the birth of a child
People who are dying, as well as the families of those who are terminally ill
People experiencing loss of job, or financial setbacks
People and families of those who are in trouble with the law
People who are new to our parish
People who are inactive members of our parish
People who are struggling with their faith with God

HOW DOES STEPHEN MINISTRY WORK AT DAVIS COMMUNITY CHURCH?

A Stephen Ministry training program prepares interested men and women to become Stephen Ministers, equipping them to care for the many needs in our congregation.
Their 50 hours of training includes topics such as:
- feelings
- listening
- assertiveness training
- confidentiality
- crisis theory and intervention
- telecare
- use of prayer and the Bible
- being professional
- the "small step" approach
- other specialized "needs" topics on grief, divorce, depression, older persons, stress, etc.
Each Stephen Minister works in continual consultation with our pastoral staff and receive ongoing education in the helping ministry.

If you are interested in serving as a Stephen Minister, establishing a relationship with a Stephen Minister, or simply want more information about DCC's Stephen Ministry; please call Marian Derby, Lisa Yamauchi, JoAnn Deil, Mary Lynn Tobin, or the church office at 530-753-2894.

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