Pastoral Care Strategy
for Destiny Church Members
I. Goals of Pastoral Care Ministry
- To have an appropriate presence in the lives of all members and their families directly or indirectly in times of celebration or crisis.
- To promote compassionate connections through our church ministries to ensure ongoing care for our members.
- To prepare our membership to become proactive in planning for celebrations and crisis.
- To provide resources for caregivers within our community both locally and nationally.
II. Motto for Pastoral Care Ministry
Caring for people as they reach their Destiny
III. Function of Sr. Pastor’s Office
- Sr. Pastor’s Office is the official representative of the Senior Pastor and Destiny Church.
- Sr. Pastor’s Office provides church-wide assistance to members who are experiencing illnesses, bereavements, new births, and military needs/requests.
IV. Overview of Services[1]
a) Grief Care
One of the greatest ways that Pastoral Care can minister to you is during the time of the death of a loved one. We are here to come alongside you during your time of grief to be an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on. Besides being a ministry of presence, we are happy to assist family members with the planning and preparation of funeral and memorial services. Last, we understand that grief is not just an overnight ordeal; therefore, we have a strong commitment to provide follow-up care to those who have experienced the death of a loved one.
b) Hospital Care
Hospitals can often be lonely and harsh places. Looking at Jesus as our example, we believe that it is one of our most important duties to show compassion towards those who are going into, or already in the hospital for whatever reason. Pastoral Care not only prays for those in the hospital, but, along with other departments, we strive to personally visit each patient. Due to current medical regulations, our information gathering is limited; so if you know of someone who is going to be hospitalized, please call our offices and let us know.
c) Home Care
Home Care serves as one of our ministries to the Body. It is our joy to reach out to the homebound in order to keep them connected to the body of Christ. There are boundless ways that one can enrich the lives of the homebound, whether it is by visiting for a short time, running errands, or even doing small jobs around the house. For the terminally ill, we have an in-home weekly visit so that they may be supported through prayer, pastoral guidance and encouragement.
d) Weddings
Destiny Church is committed to building strong Christian marriages and healthy, Godly families. Pastoral Care assists those wanting to get married in our church by offering pre-marital counseling and other classes/seminars that will help those who are about to enter marriage. Further assistance is also given through our wedding coordinator; who is able to provide help with the planning and costs to ensure that you have a memorable wedding day.
e) Pastoral Counseling and Referrals
Sometimes when we’re in need, we don’t know where to begin. Feel free to stop by our offices to speak with our Staff Pastor’s or Counseling Department, or one of our ministry associates. Pastoral Care believes in a team model of ministry.
V. The Sr. Pastor’s Office Process
- Sr. Pastor’s Office is the initial point of contact.
- Calls are received from, ministries, members and/or relatives or friends of those whom desire care from Destiny Church
- Calls are also received from hospitals and funeral homes.
- Upon notification of a concern the Sr. Pastor will verify membership/ministry/ABC status of those desiring care and make initial contact.
- Each Ministry Team shall assemble a team of trained members to assist in fulfilling the care responsibilities for their respective areas.
- The Sr. Pastor will disseminate information to ministry teams for ongoing care and follow-up.
- All Sr. Pastor’s Office concerns will be disseminated into the congregation via the church bulletin, ministry reports, staff updates. Request by the member may be made not to publish their information. No names will be placed in the church bulletin without the approval of Sr. Pastor’s Office and member.
VI. Operating Guidelines
- Intake
i) All concerns should be forwarded to the Sr. Pastor’s Office.
ii) The Sr. Pastor’s Office will verify membership status and ministry affiliation.
iii) Sr. Pastor’s Office will make the initial contact with affected members, within 24 hours, to ascertain their immediate needs, offer prayer, assistance, and visitation.
iv) Within 48 hours, affected member(s) will be referred to the appropriate Person/team for continued care and follow-up.
- Floral Gifts
i) Sr. Pastor’s Office will provide flowers for Destiny Church Members, or their spouse and children) when they are having surgery, hospitalized or bereaved.
ii) Floral gifts ordered by ministries other than Sr. Pastor’s Office will be charged to the individual. The church will not reimburse the unauthorized purchase of flowers and gifts.
iii) Resolutions will be sent to the funeral home and bereaved family in situations where church representatives cannot be present for services.
- Sick and Surgery
i) Members of Destiny Church who are ill and/or having surgery will receive care from the Sr. Pastor’s Office, ABC Group, and/or their ministry team. Name and contact information will be posted in church bulletin upon request by sick member, spouse, or adult child.
ii) A floral arrangement will be delivered to the home or hospital for the member or members’ spouse or children.
iii) ABC Groups/Ministry Areas and ministry areas are responsible to assist their members in meeting the day-to-day needs while a member is sick or recovering from surgery. This could include chores, errands, meal preparation, etc.
iv) Members who miss worship due to a surgery and or sickness will receive a complimentary copy of that worship service CD within 48 hours of Sunday’s Service given that church is aware.
v) ABC Groups/Ministry Areas are responsible for reporting updates to the Sr. Pastor’s Office monthly on their communication with those who have been ill or have had surgery within their Ministry Team or ministry area.
- Long –Term Care
i) Ministry areas will provide long-term care for their ministry members.
o Week 1 Communion/Prayer by Phone
o Week 2 Mail Cards/E-Mail
o Week 3 Home/Hospital/Nursing Home Visits
o Week 4 Good Deed/Personal Assistance
ii) Sr. Pastor’s Office will coordinate with media to ensure that each long-term care member receives audio’s of weekly worship services.
- Bereavements for Members
i) Destiny Church will provide dinner after each service for members or their immediate families, not to exceed 50 people.
ii) Respective ministry areas are responsible for providing volunteers to assist the hospitality team by serving food or by being present.
iii) Each Ministry Team is responsible for reporting to the Sr. Pastor monthly on their communication with those who have experienced bereavement within their ministry.
- Funeral responsibilities
i) The Sr. Pastor or a member of the Sr. Pastor’s Care Team will be present at wakes for Destiny Church Members, along with their Person/team and ministry team members.
ii) The Senior Pastor’s Office will work with appropriate church members to insure smooth operations of funerals and/or wakes held at the Destiny Church.
iii) Each funeral hosted by Destiny Church will require the following setup:
- Six chairs for stage area
- Water for ministers
- Two floor microphones
- Media representative
- Musician
- Food Service team for meal preparation
iv) The Sr. Pastor and/or team member and Ministry Pastor will arrive at least 45 minutes prior to all funerals hosted by Destiny Church to insure proper setup.
v) No presentations will be done by entities that conflict with the beliefs of Destiny Church at any funeral hosted by Destiny Church.
- Resolutions
i) All resolutions will be prepared by Sr. Pastor’s Office or designee of Senior Pastor and signed by the Senior Pastor.
ii) Resolutions should include all names of Destiny Church Members that are part of the bereaved family.
iii) Any funerals hosted by Destiny Church, the officiating minister will acknowledge resolutions from other churches or entities, however; only Destiny Church or designated resolutions will be read.
iv) Funerals that cannot be attended by a Destiny Church representative, Sr. Pastor’s Office and/or the ministry will ensure the delivery of the resolution for reading.
v) Sr. Pastor’s Office and/or the ministry will insure that the family receives the original copy of the resolution.
Pastoral Care exists to honor God, and to assist the mission of Destiny Church by meeting spiritual, emotional and physical needs through personal, loving care.
Pastoral Care Strategy
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[1] Adapted from First Baptist of Dallas, Website February 2007.