Pastoral Care Strategy
for Destiny Church Members
I. Goals of Pastoral Care Ministry
A. To have an appropriate presence in the lives of all members and their
families directly or indirectly in times of celebration or crisis.
B. To promote compassionate connections through our church ministries
to ensure ongoing care for our members.
C. To prepare our membership to become proactive in planning for
celebrations and crisis.
D. 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
A. Sr. Pastor’s Office is the official representative of the Senior Pastor and
Destiny Church.
B. Sr. Pastor’s Office provides church-wide assistance to members who
are experiencing illnesses, bereavements, new births, and military
needs/requests.
IV. Overview of Services1
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.
1
Adapted from First Baptist of Dallas, Website February 2007.
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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.
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V. The Sr. Pastor’s Office Process
A. Sr. Pastor’s Office is the initial point of contact.
B. Calls are received from, ministries, members and/or relatives or
friends of those whom desire care from Destiny Church
C. Calls are also received from hospitals and funeral homes.
D. Upon notification of a concern the Sr. Pastor will verify
membership/ministry/ABC status of those desiring care and make
initial contact.
E. Each Ministry Team shall assemble a team of trained members to
assist in fulfilling the care responsibilities for their respective areas.
F. The Sr. Pastor will disseminate information to ministry teams for
ongoing care and follow-up.
G. 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
A. 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.
B. 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.
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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.
C. 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.
D. Long –Term Care
i) Ministry areas will provide long-term care for their ministry
members.
o Week 1
Communion/Prayer by Phone
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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.
E. 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.
F. 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:
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Six chairs for stage area
Water for ministers
Two floor microphones
Media representative
Musician
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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.
G. 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.
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