How Home Visits Pay Off
October 1, 1997
Though I am more energized by leadership and preaching than by visitation, I structure time for pastoral visits. Here are five reasons why: 1. Home visits are a great forum for sharing vision.
In a home, over a cup of coffee, I can discuss in detail where I see the church going. My host or hostess can ask questions, and then I better understand what they want to see happen in the church. Visits also allow people to know where their gifts intersect with the church's needs.
Three families from a neighboring town belong to our congregation. While visiting one of them, I mentioned our strategy for multiplying small groups. They expressed a strong interest in belonging to a group. Since no group met near them, and because they had leadership potential, I asked if they would consider group leadership. They accepted the challenge. Within weeks we had a healthy group meeting every Sunday evening in their community. 2. Visits show other leaders how to care.
Whenever possible, I take an elder with me when I visit. During one visit with a couple who had yet to commit to joining our church, the host leaned back, looked me straight in the eye, and said, "I have a few questions I'd like you to answer."
"Shoot," I offered. Frankly I found some of his questions intimidating, but they helped me articulate the direction of our ministry. With an elder listening, I was able to model vulnerability as well as vision. 3. Visits bring healing to disillusioned people.
Recently I scheduled a follow-up call with a couple who had visited our church. They shared openly about the disillusionment they felt about past church involvement. Their hurt made them doubt their ability to trust not only leadership, but God as well.
I prayed at length with this ...
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