CARE MINISTRY AGREEMENT [FOR YOUR CHILD]
In consideration for being permitted to participate in voluntary pastoral CARE ministry, herein referred to as “Ministry,” and prayer ministry, herein referred to as “CARE Ministry”, I, the undersigned, herein referred to as the “Ministry Recipient,” agree as follows:
1. This is a church-based ministry of Pillar Church providing CARE Ministry in individual and group settings. Our Ministry is done by pastoral staff and lay-ministers, herein referred to as “CARE Ministers.” These individuals are not licensed as professional counselors, social workers, or psychologists because they perform spiritual and Biblical ministry and not secular or psychological counseling. If it becomes apparent that secular or psychological counseling may better address the CARE Ministry Recipient’s needs, the CARE Minister will immediately initiate an outside referral to a licensed professional counselor, social worker or psychologist.
2. Under all circumstances, sexual contact between a CARE Minister and Ministry Recipient is prohibited. If any CARE Minister suggests or attempts sexual advances, the Ministry Recipient shall terminate the session immediately and report the incident to the Executive Senior Pastor, or any other Elder not involved in the Ministry.
3. Under normal circumstances, your CARE Minister will use their good faith efforts to keep your discussions in confidence. However, you should be aware there are some situations in which your CARE Minister may be required by law to report information to the proper authorities without your permission or knowledge. These situations include, but may not be limited to: a CARE Ministry Recipient’s intent of harm to self or others, involvement in a felony, suicidal intentions, and/or reasonable evidence of child, disabled or elder abuse or neglect.
Your CARE Minister may also disclose information in response to a subpoena and/or court order issued by a court of law. Additionally, if you hold a leadership or ministry position, your CARE Minister may also disclose information to the person in authority over you, in the event he or she deems it relevant to your fitness or ability to fulfill your position.
4. Officially recognized church staff and lay-personnel may also have limited access to your pastoral file. Any other person seeking access to your pastoral file may do so only with your written permission. However, Pillar Church cannot guarantee complete confidentiality with regard to the information received from you.
5. Pillar Church requires that parent(s) must be actively involved in any CARE Ministry and/or Prayer Ministry that is extended to a minor child as determined by the CARE Minister. At the discretion of the CARE Minister, parent(s) will be required to make themselves accountable for active participation in CARE Ministry offered by Gateway Church Scottsdale.
6. Ministry Recipients with any concerns or questions about this agreement agree to raise them with their Minister at the earliest possible time.
7. This agreement, herein referred to as the “Ministry Agreement,” will govern all relations involved during the term of the ministry process. Should the CARE Ministry Participant participate in Prayer Ministry, the Voluntary Release, Assumption of Risk and Indemnity Agreement will be incorporated as part of this Ministry Agreement. It is agreed that any disputes or modifications of this CARE Ministry Agreement will be determined directly between the individuals involved. If this CARE Ministry Agreement is not satisfactory, then it is further agreed that disputes and disagreements will be taken to the Pillar Church Board of Elders for mediation. In the event that a satisfactory resolution is not achieved, then it is further agreed that a mutually acceptable third-party mediator will be utilized. If the mediation is unsuccessful, then the dispute shall be submitted to Christian Arbitration under the Rules of Arbitration published by the Institute for Christian Mediation (HisPeace.org). All expenses incurred will be the responsibility of the party bringing the dispute.
