christian peer support

Behavioral health is at a crisis point in the U.S. 

Churches are sorely needed in the battle but too many times the help seeker-ministry connection gets lost or never established.

With no clear structure for practical assistance, help is often reduced to a brief prayer and maybe some human service referral tinged with a sense falling short by outsourcing to the "counsel of the ungody" because the ministry wasn't equipped do more.  Like Moses, church leaders can’t do everything alone—especially tending to the spiritual, practical, emotional and behavioral health needs of so many people. 

Christian peer support is your solution!

Peer support is a structured approach where individuals with shared lived experience help one another through guidance, encouragement, and emotional support.  —Lived experiences may include:

• Mental health challenges, 
• Marriage and family issues 
• Addiction recovery 
• Bereavement and grief  
• Accessing life need resources

Widely implemented in healthcare systems, community organizations, schools, and recovery programs, peer support bridges gaps in care, reduces isolation, and builds resilience. Peer support specialists are certified to offer therapeutic benefit but they are not the same as traditional therapists.

PEER SUPPORT IS NONCLINICAL

Peer support centers on mutual understanding and empowerment.  Lived experience is the core competency that establishes trust, creates a safe space where compassionate, real-life support can be provided continuously until resolution is achieved. 

TRAINING IS ACCOMPLISHED IN A SHORT TIME 

Peer support training typically takes just a few weeks, equipping participants with essential skills to provide guidance and practical support. 

Participants learn active listening, crisis intervention, ethical guidelines, and resilience encouragement strategies. Training provides the competencies to offer compassionate, informed care without needing extensive professional credentials. 

49 of 50 U. S. states recognize peer support with statewide programs that train and certify peer specialists.  States fund peer support services through Medicaid, reinforcing its role in behavioral health care.

CAN BE EASILY IMPLEMENTED

 Churches can seamlessly integrate peer support counseling services, and outreach programs—strengthening their ability to meet emotional and mental health needs within the congregation and community.  Any church member can be a peer supporter, in fact, the more diversity, the better.  Peer support opens opportunity for everyone in the body to play a meaningful, valuable role in ministry.

CHRISTIAN PEER SUPPORT INTEGRATES BIBLICAL TEACHING FOR FAITH-BASED FORTIFICATION ALONGSIDE PRACTICAL SUPPORT

Peer support naturally aligns with ministry as both focus on instruction and application of helping principles. Christian peer support compliments pastoral care by applying pastoral exhortation and instruction as they walk alongside individuals navigating practical challenges.  Peer support provides safe spaces for open conversations, offering practical coping strategies, and promoting unity and healing through connection.  

Step 1:  40-hour Christian Peer Support Training

• Interested individuals receive 40 hours of Christian Peer Support Specialist training. 
• The training is online and asychronous so modules can be accessed anytime, anywhere.  Once training is complete participant receive agency certification and may also be eligible for state certification depending on the requirements where they live. 

Step 2: Ministry Integration 

The pastor and ministry team meet with the peer specialist to establish a program of support, establishing roles, responsibilities, communication channels and work plan.  Solutions4Ministries offers the training and technical assistance to make your Christian Peer Support program a success! We can help you to: 

• Developing a Care Framework – By creating a system that outlines how peer support will function within the ministry, including referral processes, confidentiality guidelines, and methods for ongoing support.
• Identifying Needs – Provide practical guidance in assessing your congregation’s emotional, spiritual, and practical needs to determine how peer support can best serve individuals facing challenges.
• Establishing Communication Channels – Help you set up a process for regular meetings and open lines of communication between the peer specialist, pastor, and ministry team to ensure seamless coordination and effective support.
• Launching Support Initiatives – Provide peer specialist with prompts and written guidelines to partner with, encourage, and incorporate scripture in problem-solving.

Step 3: Receiving Support Requests 

Help seekers may submit support requests in a variety of ways directly or through our Christian Peer Support mobile app or via a church referral system.

• The Higher-Level Ministry Team reviews and organizes requests.  Our mobile app ensures easy, intuitive request submissions, proper routing, tracking and documentation for streamlined care.
• Requests are vetted and reviewed. 

Step 4: Vetting & Peer Assignment

Once the request has been vetted it is assigned to a trained peer support specialist based on the situation.

• Ensures request aligns with ministry and peer support goals 
• Ensures appropriate peer matching for effective guidance.
• Ensures assistance requests are handled promptly and efficiently.
• Meeting is scheduled with Peer support specialist.

Step 5: Peer Support Session (Preferably Recorded Zoom Meeting)

The assigned peer meets with the help seeker to discuss issue.

• Peer supporter incorporates motivational interviewing and active listening.  
• Demonstrates compassion, provides encouragement and testifies (share lived experience) to encourage faith and hope.
• Recorded Zoom sessions help maintain safety, privacy and transparency.

Step 6: Review & Accountability

• The peer submits a report detailing the interaction.
• The Higher-Level Ministry Team may review peer client interaction

                   and provides additional insight.

Step 7: Next Steps & Ongoing Support

• Under Ministry Team guidance, peer and client develop a plan of action.
• Regular check-ins between the peer and help seeker.
• Ongoing monitoring by ministry leaders ensures progress.

Step 8: External Professional Referral (If Needed)

Some situations require more advanced professional care, such as clinical counseling, psychiatric support, or specialized intervention. 

• The  Ministry Team determines whether a referral to external professional care is appropriate
• Peer and/or ministry team provide guidance and spiritual support through the transition while partnering with professional resources.
• Our Solutions4Ministries team includes credentialed professionals qualified to provide both clinical psychological counseling and Christian spiritual guidance. 
• If outside counseling resources are sought, the continuum of care is not broken. The help seeker is not left alone in the process—faith-based encouragement continues even after external intervention begins.

Solutions4Ministries provides the training and tools to implement a successful peer support ministry in your organization. We have service tiers that support a range of church budgets.