Stephen Ministry and Deacons

The Rev. Robin Lostetter
Presbyterians for Disability Concerns (PD) Leadership Team

Stephen Ministry

The Stephen Ministry movement was born more than 33 years ago in St. Louis, Missouri. It was designed to give clergy much-needed support while revolutionizing the concept of pastoral care.

Stephen Ministry offers 50 hours of training for each Stephen Minister, led by a Stephen Leader who has, in turn, had a week of on-site training. Stephen Ministers have helped countless people in congregations around the world, while expanding the scope of those congregations’ pastoral staff.

In my Leader training, sixteen years ago, there was little emphasis on disability concerns. I can imagine there were two reasons for this … first, the society itself was less aware than today, and second, Stephen Ministry is designed for walking with a person through a crisis or life transition, not for long-term counseling. Disabilities that would be considered part of a crisis or life transition would be those which involve illness, accident, or loss of function, and would likely respond to the same approach as any other grief and loss. Lifelong disabilities, on the other hand, would be part of the underlying context of a person’s life — before, during, and after a crisis. A person with a long-term disability is just as likely as anyone else to experience a crisis, and the Stephen Minister will relate better as an “intentional good friend” if s/he has some understanding of the person’s self-understanding.

Stephen Ministers are well trained in dealing with grief and loss. But sixteen years after my initial training, there still seems to be no intentional theological or practical training for dealing with a person living with a pre-existing or lifelong disability. Instead, this sort of preparation falls under the individual Stephen Minister’s role: “They learn to encourage without officially ‘counseling,’ and they suggest community resources and referrals.”

As part of their 50 hours’ training, each Stephen Minister is to assist in assembling a notebook of community resources, and one would assume that among those would be local “Independent Living Centers,” support groups for chronic illnesses such as Multiple Sclerosis, and resources for those living with various types of sensory or communication impairment (sight, hearing, speech, etc.).

This puts the responsibility for disability awareness squarely on the individual. I would love to see some part of the Stephen Leader and Minister training expanded to include intentional reflection on the theological implications of how we approach people living with a disability, and concrete suggestions for appropriate language and initial interactions. “If you have an illness or disability, what does it mean to you?” is one of only two references to disability that I was able to find on the website, and it is a good start.

In the meantime, I’m pleased that you, the reader, has received an Access Packet, and/or have come to this Web site for more. Within these pages, you will find food for thought, true stories, and specific tips. Perhaps dipping your toe in the water will lead you to greater interest, and you will suggest or request that your continuing education offerings include presentations by folk who live with various physical, sensory, mental, or developmental/cognitive disabilities.

The result may be that you begin to see through others’ eyes, recognizing “invisible” disabilities and allowing open dialog about those that are more visible, affirming the gifts of those living with a disability and enriching your congregation through nurturing their gifts.

Deacons

“The office of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of sympathy, witness, and service after the example of Jesus Christ.” (G-6.0401) “It is the duty of deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress both within and beyond the community of faith.” (G-6.0402)

Information in this packet and in the resources listed below can be used by a Board of Deacons in a retreat setting, or as part of a study piece offered at the regular monthly meetings of the Board. These materials can assist them in carrying out the vocation of their office with theological integrity and informed effectiveness.

In addition, a congregation might consider nominating a person with a disability to the office of Deacon. In this way, the person’s gifts and experience can enhance the ability of the congregation to journey with other church members who live with limitations of their own. For example, a person who is essentially homebound due to mobility issues can offer an effective telephone ministry from their home. And a person who has dealt with surgery, stroke, or chronic pain can offer hope and practical assistance to others experiencing similar medical treatment or rehabilitation.

For further reading

Deacons, Stephen Ministers, Stephen Leaders, Care Groups and other similar lay caregivers are encouraged to read Judy Cohen’s pamphlet, “Disability Etiquette: Tips on Interacting with People with Disabilities,” which can be downloaded from United Spinal. Also find out about “People First Language.”