good shepherd is one of 10,000 congregations around the worlwhere parishioners sere as sthen nists. more than 150 christian denominations have adopted the program. >> christianity is not a spectator sport. it was never intended to be a spectator sport. god gave to the church apostles, evangelists, and pastors and teachers whose job is to equip the saints for ministry. >> how did it feel to have your confession treated in that way? >> stephen ministers go through 50 hours of instruction and practice, earning to help care receivers express their feelings, to listen without judging, and how to bring faith and the bible into the conversation. >> can we pray? dear god, please give randy the absolute confidence of his forgiveness. >> they also study specific situations, like dealing with grief and divorce. but stephen ministers are not counselors, so they also learn when to call in professional help from a pastor or therapist. their work is supervised at the parish level, and if a care-giving relationship doesn't work out, which does happen sometimes, either party can be reassigned. good