Pastoral Visit Considerations

Pastoral Visit Considerations for Effective Visitation Outreach.

VISITING with people in their home or work environment, as a pastoral visit, is something I’ve been doing regularly for nearly twenty years. Every time we step into someone else’s environment we do so as guests with certain privileges, but also with certain responsibilities.

These following considerations are worthy of reflection for any of us who conduct a pastoral visit.

1. Pray before you arrive for the pastoral visit:

It’s good to ensure our hearts are prepared and our minds are attuned. On the way to a home or workplace I’ll try and envisage what the environment might look like, prepare myself for the greeting I’ll receive, and just generally psych myself into being myself. It’s important to be relaxed.

2. Call ahead if there’s any change to plan.

It’s no good arriving early or late or with extra visitors. Catching people unawares is not a good way to start or maintain a friendship. It’s never good to surprise people during a pastoral visit.

Church Letter Writing Tip 1

Each Church Letter Writing Tip builds off an acrostic based on the words “Church Letters”. At the bottom of each tip is a free sample church letter which may be used within your own church communications. This letter may not be posted on any competitive website.

C – Be Clear

When your letter is read, you don't want it to be similar to some bad commercials on television that may have looked and sounded good, but upon completion of viewing (or reading), the person looks back and wonders “what that was all about”.

If you are writing a letter to thank a person for visiting your church, be sure to do exactly that… then go on to tell them about the ministries that are available to them.

As you know, we live in a fast paced world, and when people want information, they want it to be clear, concise, yet when it comes to the church environment, they also want it to be on time! There is nothing quite so disappointing as receiving a letter of an “upcoming” event only to find that it is over because the mail didn't go out in time, or the 3rd class bulk mail took much longer than expected. (Should have used Pony Express!)

Be sure to answer the five basics of “Who, What, When, Where, Why”, and within those basics be sure the person knows what to do upon completing the reading of the letter or greeting card.

Church Letter Writing Tip 2

Our second lesson in “13 Tips For Church Letter Writing Success” will build off the letter “H” in our Church Letters acrostic.

Be Hopeful

One of the reasons for writing the letter is to encourage the receiver, and to provide inspiration and hope for tomorrow.

They will appreciate your positive approach to the situation, and you can certainly do this without being “fake”. Doesn't the Word of God provide hope for each and every situation? Philip. 4:13 – “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” People need to be reminded of the fact that God is in control regardless of our ability to understand ALL His ways.

When I say, be “hopeful”, I simply mean have a tone of hopefulness in your letter writing, as well as when you speak with them face to face, or on the phone. People will often gain new strength for the next day when they realize someone else believes in them, as well as offering assurance of our God who is in ultimate control!

People will be well served when they read or hear your communication, and go away with the attitude, “you know, I believe I really CAN do all things through Christ!”

Church Letter Writing Tip 3

Our third lesson in “13 Tips For Church Letter Writing Success” will build off the letter “U” in our Church Letters acrostic.

So far, we have looked at the following: C – Be Clear H – Be Hopeful

Now we will take a look at:

U – Be Understanding

We often fail to put ourselves into the “shoes of another” and thereby do not understand the situation they are going through.

The most difficult time to understand is when we have not gone through the situation in our own lives. We will find this to be the case very often in our ministry to others, however it is in those situations we must ask for the help of the Holy Spirit to provide the right level of understanding and compassion to properly minister to them.

We can often be too caught up in thinking of what our response is going to be even before the person is done talking. When we do this, we are “hearing”, but not “listening”.

Even when writing cards or letters, we can get too “preachy” when the person just needs to know we are there for them if, and when they are ready to share with us on a more personal level.

When you don't understand immediately, at least have the attitude and spirit conveyed to them that you are open to learning more about the situation, and praying with them as the need arises.

Church Letter Writing Tip 4

Our fourth lesson in “13 Tips For Church Letter Writing Success” will build off the letter “R” in our Church Letters acrostic.

So far, we have looked at the following: C – Be Clear H – Be Hopeful U – Be Understanding

Now, we will take a look at:

R – Be Responsive

If you close your letter encouraging the person to get in touch with you if they are in need of anything, be sure to provide them with a way to get in touch *and* then be available.

While this may be difficult for leaders of larger congregations, you will find that most people will be sensitive to your unique situation.

You may also provide other avenues of ministry that will help them. After all, even WE don't have all the answers, but God has placed many gifts in the church that are available to be used.

Provide phone numbers, (yes, even cell phone numbers), and e-mail addresses so that people can get in touch with you or someone designated for that particular ministry.

While Jesus was teaching the masses, we see time after time that He stopped to minister to individuals, and even a few times when his disciples attempted to turn away the very people the Lord was reaching!

He responded to the touch of the infirmed woman who touched the hem of His garment. He spoke at length with the woman at the well who in turn reached her community. He stopped and called Zachaeus down from the tree and went to his home. Nicodemus came to Him at night, and Jesus responded to his need.

The list could go on and on…

The key is being responsive, and yes, approachable!