Lay counselors are lay church members who are trained to provide a specific service or to perform certain activities. They provide health education, promotion, caring and/or support. This model works in two basic ways:

• It strengthens the existing helping networks by training leaders (e.g., lay health advisors and lay caregivers).
• It trains church members who are interested and concerned (e.g., Stephen Ministers).

Lay Health Promoters

   Lay health promoters are part of a health education program designed to address specific health problems of a community through reinforcement of the healping functions already being carried out in the church. This program is particularly effective in communities that have existing helping networks. Individuals who are asked to be lay health promoters are already respected and listened to by a cross-section of the congregation. They are good at getting things done in the church, have contacts with many different community people, and are knowledgeable in health-related matters. They are chosen by the church leaders.

   Their services may include:

• Screening and monitoring chronic health conditions.
• Providing health education.
• Giving referrals to resources.
• Organizing support groups.

   Lay health promoters receive training in self-help strategies, appropriate use of health care resources, counseling, use of media/audiovisual aids for large groups, conducting educational needs assessments, self-help techniques, and community resources/referral/eligibility procedures. Additional training in specific health topics depends on the needs of the community and the interests of the advisors. These topics should be determined by the promoters.

For more information contact:
Health and Welfare Ministries
General Board of Global Ministries
The United Methodist Church
475 Riverside Drive, Room 330
New York, NY 10115
Phone: 212-870-3869; FAX: 212-870-3624
E-mail: congmin@gbgm-umc.org

Stephen Ministers

   The Stephen Series is a complete system to train and organize laypersons for caring ministries in and around their congregations. The series provides resources and continuing education, including:

• A congregational care inventory to help congregations assess the level of care they currently offer and their potential for and commitment to growth in the quality, quantity, and variety of caring ministries.
• Centralized training for leaders.

   Services of Stephen Ministries include care for people who are:

• In crisis
• In need of general support.
• Experiencing a wide range of life stresses such as sickness, family crisis due to substance abuse, unemployment, financial concerns, loneliness, and aging.

   A Stephen Leader prepares the congregation and trains and supervises Stephen Ministers, linking them individually with those in need.

For more information, contact:
Stephen Ministries
2045 Innerbelt Business Center Dr.
St. Louis, Missouri 63114-5765
Phone: 314-428-2600