# Guidelines for First Family Care FFC utilizes our Small Groups as its primary care mechanism. It’s in your Small Group that you’ll receive most of your shepherding and discipling. Typically, in times of long–term illness, death, births, and other major life adjustments, an individual’s or family’s Small Group is already aware of the need, has been praying, and helps bear the burden with them (Galatians 6), such as meals, visits, and childcare. It is vital that you keep your Small Group leader “in the loop.” In fact, all of FFC’s elders are in touch with assigned Small Groups regularly, and the Elders pray regularly together for all the requests that come from our Small Group leaders, as well as for many other needs that we know about within the body at FFC. However, our pastoral staff and elders also enjoy – and consider it a privilege shepherding the flock here at FFC. Often there are cases where intense counseling is needed, or times when special prayer by the Elders is necessary (James 5). And certain crises simply demand the attention of our Lead Pastor and others who are well trained in the Word and can offer the kind of scriptural guidance a family or person may need at a critical time. So feel free to contact our staff and elders as well when you need pastoral care or more assistance than perhaps your Small Group can provide. In addition, all care for attenders and/or members not in a Small Group is generated via the church office. Please call our office if you know of needs that cannot be addressed because someone is not in a Small Group. It is our desire to fully “shepherd the flock of God among us” (1 Peter 5).