Pastoral Track

Pastoral Care provides ministry guidance, spiritual care, and assistance to members and individuals within and outside the church body.

In this track, students will learn how to apply biblical teaching with God’s Word through daily ministry activities and assisting individuals/families through new or difficult seasons of life. Students will receive hands-on training in confidentiality, refraining from judgment while demonstrating the love of Christ and discerning the proper level of support in various areas of life (i.e., marriage, divorce, death, finances, family, personal issues/concerns) through a mix of reading, practical training, shadowing Pastoral Care staff, prayer, and small group engagement.

Pastoral Track Objectives

  • Minister with spiritual discernment in conjunction with biblical knowledge.
  • Understand how Pastoral Care and Outreach work together to provide assistance for individuals and families within and outside the church body.
  • Assist with the daily operations of the Pastoral Care and Outreach Departments in caring for the church body and the community.
  • Share the love of Jesus through God’s Word and prayer.
  • Demonstrate effective communication through written and oral skills.
  • Have the ability to troubleshoot and problem solve within and outside the church body while providing sound biblical insight, including supplemental materials/resources, appropriate next steps, and effective tools to address questions and concerns.
  • Create a safe and comfortable environment for individuals, couples, and/or families, being sensitive and relatable to those seeking support who have various personalities and cultural differences.
  • Mediate and “read the room/conversation” to redirect and refocus individuals, couples, and/or families when they become distracted by smaller issues.

Pastoral Track Requirements

Prerequisites:
Minimum of one year serving in a ministry capacity
Minimum of leading three small groups or equivalent ministry study
Basic biblical principles (i.e., foundation in God’s Word, prayer, and communication)
Passion for people of all races, ages, and backgrounds
Willingness and ability to learn ministry groundwork
Ability to submit to authority and be a servant
Pass a background check

REQUIRED TEXTS OR MATERIALS
The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict by Ken Sande
The Peacemaking Pastor: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Church Conflict by Ken Sande
Old Testament Survey – ISOW
New Testament Survey – ISOW
Love and Respect by Emerson Eggeriches
Life after Death: Rediscovering Life after the Loss of a Loved One by Tony Cooke
The Mystery of Marriage by Gary and Drenda Keesee
(SYMBIS) Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts by Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott
Divorce Care material – Church Initiative
Prayer Force Manual – Faith Life Church
Live Whole! God’s Healthcare Plan series by Gary Keesee
Podcast teachings by Gary Keesee:
Finances
Healing
The Holy Spirit
The Power of One
Revolution of the Mind/Fear
Salvation: Experience the Good Life
Who Are You Serving?

Weekly Schedule: (11.5 hours plus additional weekend serving/shadowing hours and homework)

Days Times
Wednesdays 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Wednesdays 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Thursdays 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
*Saturdays 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
*Sundays 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

(*Students must serve one service per weekend and complete shadowing assignments.)

Track Homework – 5-6 hours per week (Homework does not include shadowing assignments.)

Pastoral Care Procedures & Policies

Shadowing Tracks: Baby Dedication, Water Baptism, Weddings, Funerals, Hospital & Nursing Home Visits, Prayer Ministry (Altar, Prayer Line, Intercessory Prayer), SYMBIS, Divorce Care, Mentoring, Aubrey’s House & Michael’s House, Outreach, Leading a Small Group

The Pastoral Track includes church events and holiday assignments (i.e. church activities/conferences, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter).