[Church Name]
Effective Date:
1. Purpose
This policy establishes the procedure to be followed when an individual requests pastoral counseling or coaching. It is designed to provide guidance and support while maintaining appropriate boundaries and ensuring that pastoral care is delivered safely and effectively.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all staff and volunteer leaders who provide pastoral support within [Church Name].
3. Responsibilities
All staff and volunteer leaders are responsible for:
- Adhering to this policy when engaging in pastoral meetings.
- Maintaining clear communication, confidentiality, and appropriate boundaries during all pastoral interactions.
- Documenting and communicating relevant information with other pastoral team members as needed.
4. Procedure
4.1. Initial Engagement and Clarifying Questions
When an individual requests pastoral counseling or coaching, staff should:
- Clarify the Request: Ask questions to fully understand the individual’s needs. Examples include:
- “What are you hoping to get from our meeting?”
- “What specific support or guidance are you seeking from me?”
- “Have you discussed this matter with another pastor, counselor, or therapist?”
- Determine Objectives: Understand what the individual would like to take away from the meeting to ensure that the session meets their needs.
4.2. Establishing Boundaries
Staff must clearly communicate the scope of the pastoral meeting:
- Nature of Support: Explain that you are able to share Biblical perspectives and personal insights but are not offering professional counseling, prophetic insight, or formal coaching.
- Limitations: Inform the individual that:
- You are not a licensed counselor or therapist and can only offer perspective.
- Confidentiality is maintained within the limits of legal obligations, meaning that information related to illegal activities may need to be shared with authorities.
- Collaboration: Emphasize that pastoral care is provided in partnership with a team of pastors dedicated to supporting the church community.
- Session Duration: Outline the expected duration of the meeting (e.g., 30 minutes to 1 hour) and the possibility of scheduling follow-up meetings if needed (up to three sessions, for example).
- Contact Information: Provide your official church contact information (e.g., email or church office phone number) rather than personal cell phone details.
- Referral to Professional Services: If the situation warrants professional intervention, offer referrals to qualified counseling or therapy services available in the community.
4.3. Best Practices During Meetings
- Acknowledge Emotions: Validate the individual’s experience with empathetic statements such as, “I haven’t lived your journey, but I’m sorry you’ve experienced this pain.”
- Clarify Personal Perspective: Make it clear when you are sharing personal insight by stating, “In my perspective, the Bible teaches us…”
- Discuss Options: Help the individual consider different choices by saying, “It sounds like you have several options available…”
- Employ Coaching Techniques: Encourage self-reflection by asking, “What do you think you ought to do?”
- Incorporate Prayer: Offer to pray together, stating, “I believe God knows the answer; can we pray together?”
- Safe Meeting Locations: For high-risk or sensitive matters, schedule meetings in designated, secure areas on church premises rather than in private residences.
4.4. Documentation and Communication
- Record Keeping: Document all pastoral meetings by summarizing the conversation and noting key points in the individual’s file within the church’s record system.
- Team Collaboration: Communicate with other pastors who are involved with the individual’s care to ensure coordinated support and appropriate follow-up.
5. Review and Amendments
This policy is subject to periodic review and may be revised to ensure it remains effective and relevant. Any amendments will be communicated to all staff and volunteers involved in pastoral care.
For questions or further clarification regarding this policy, please contact the pastoral leadership team or the designated administrative office at [Church Name]
This policy supports [Church Name]’s commitment to providing compassionate, responsible, and coordinated pastoral care to our community.