Adult Facilitators Support

National Certification for Peer Ministers

HOTLINE & HELP LINKS

Quotes and Quips

Peer Ministry Facilitator Interviews

Ideas For Inviting New Peer Ministers

Group Registration and Report

Student Interviews of Churches that are Using Peer Ministry

#7 Interview APR, 2005
Calvary Lutheran,Rapid City, SD

Dwight Stensgaard, senior pastor

by Lauren Taylor

 

Urban community of 70,000 people

Congregation of 2,300 people

Staff size is 15, mostly part-time

2 pastors, 1 senior and 1 assistant

Youth Staff is mostly 10hr a week position:

              1 1st through 3rd grade

              1 4th through 7th grade

              1 Confirmation Coordinator

              1 Senior High

              2 Music Staff

              1 Support Staff, secretarial position

How do you view Peer Ministry in your congregation?

Peer Ministry is seen as being a committed congregational based ministry. It lifts the attitude and nature of being and it’s an integral part of being a Christian. It gives people the power and equips them to do ministry. Peer Ministry is the most effective model for life. The more people there are to help the more we can help. We want to have peers that listen to the cries of high school kids. Teens telling teens.

What needs do you see in your church?

Same needs as most people, mainly, a social need to talk about important things. The need to be significant and the need to make a difference. Specifically, cutting has been going gone with two kids. And there are many potential problems we want to prevent.

Have you seen any changes since using Peer Ministry?

Yes, there is much strength too. We are achieving goals. We have a solid core group of peer ministers with a confident voices that are visiting with kids and talking and listening with them about there needs.

What excites you most about Peer Ministry?

Taking a teenage person seriously. When we recognize the abilities the person has for God and the world.

How do you see training in caring as an element in your group?

Availability is huge. It’s like a faucet that can be turned on. Listening well and caring for each other. The summer after their 9th grade year we ask them to come forward. If that doesn’t work we ask them personally. We go to Lee Valley Ranch for a week long. The ranch is 30 miles away. It’s for seniors, juniors, and sophomores and we train. Each year we make covenants, they are different every year.

What are peer ministers doing?

They are a part of the leadership team and youth group. They participate in summer trips, etc. Life skills are tough to know.

 

How do you hope Peer Ministry affects participants?

That they become positive voices for the community. That the foundation and frame work is laid for a lifetime of ministry. And that they follow through on their covenants.

If I were starting a Peer Ministry group what information would you pass on to me before I begin?

Who do teens talk to first? Teens. Start with them. We started a learning system with leadership training and peer ministry just came to be the best way to do it.