From the Pastor – May 2007

When you come to First Community to receive pastoral care, participate in small groups, or have prayer, it is understood that you may share your personal story with me or one or more persons in the congregation. These disclosures will be handled with the utmost care and with consideration for your right to control their dissemination.

When you enter pastoral counseling, I will consider what you share to be a sacred trust. Your information will remain confidential with a few legal and ethical exceptions.

If you disclose to me that a child (someone under the age of 18) has been harmed or is at risk of being harmed, that an elderly person or disabled person has been harmed or is at risk of being harmed, or that you are in danger of harming yourself, being harmed, or harming someone else, the information you share will be forwarded to protective services or state law enforcement agencies. If your disclosure falls under state or federal law as a mandated report, it will be disclosed according to those laws.

I believe that as a Christian fellowship, we are called to create an atmosphere of personal respect and safety. We intend to be a congregation that is free of rumors or gossip. When you share your story with me or members of the congregation we recognize that you are entrusting us with your personal and spiritual information, and we will do all we can to honor that trust. Pastoral confidences will be honored within the limits of this policy, held in sacred trust, and as such will not be passed to anyone else in the congregation without your permission. I believe that with these guidelines in place, and regular evaluation of these guidelines, we can create and maintain a congregation of safety and respect.