The Stephen Ministry concept was initiated by Dr. Kenneth C. Haugk, a St. Louis minister, who started a group in 1975 when he called on his church laypeople to help as Christian caregivers.

Christ United Methodist Church became a Stephen Ministry congregation in 1990 when church member Kemp Clendenin began to train a group of 21 CUMC congregation members that committed to following in the footsteps of St. Stephen (Acts:6:1-6[1]Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.[2]The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.[3]Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.[4]But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word."[5]These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch;[6]whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.) to care for the needs of their congregation.

In 50 hours of instruction these laypeople studied the art of listening, having empathy toward others' feelings, maintaining strict confidentiality, crisis theory and intervention and praying with people, finding help in the Bible for these people and many other skills to recognize needs and help people to help themselves.

Stephen Ministry is different from other caring relationships in that it is a distinctively Christian based care giving.  Solid biblical Christian theology is used while also drawing the best principles and skills from psychology, leadership and management to provide sound, practical, and life changing resources for Christian individuals. Stephen Ministers are directly accountable to the care receivers to which they are assigned, to CUMC congregation, to other Stephen Ministers and Stephen Leaders and to the church ministers.

All Stephen Ministers participate in an ongoing supervision and continuing education program on a regular basis for at least the 24 month commitment following training. Currently Christ United Methodist Church has approximately 90 trained Stephen Ministers, 20-25 of which are active and/or assigned to care receivers.  CUMC continues to train new Stephen Ministers at the rate of 6 - 10 individuals a year.  If this is a ministry that you feel led to explore, please contact Pastor John Bletsch at jbletsch@christgreensboro.org.