PASTORAL THEOLOGY Part Eight (VISITATION: ACTS 20:20)

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(VISITATION: ACTS 20:20)

1. To the members of the church.

• A home going pastor makes a church going people. Visit your members, it will encourage even those who could have not come to church.

• It afford the pastor the opportunity to know the type of people he is pasturing and find ways to help them.

• It will help the members to be more open to their pastor for they will feel that he is concern for their well being.

• The New members should be visited often to help establish them and protect them from the wolf.

• The aged and weak should be comforted and cheer up, directing them to the love of Christ.

• The pastor should not only visit his members but the sinners around him. Be a friend of sinners like Jesus; but don’t compromise with them, rather seek to win them through your life and the gospel you preach.

• The sick members should be first in the list of the pastor’s visit. Go immediately; be sympathetic in your attitude, cheerful in your approach, victorious in your outlook.

Always suggest and have prayers before leaving. Lead those in need of Salvation to Christ if need be. James. 5:14.

HOW TO VISIT:

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1. Select a good time for visiting especially when you will find the people at home, not too late and too early.

1. Visit all alike, no partiality. If possible visit all that are living in the same street where you are going.

1. Men should be careful not to visit alone young women.
   Take wife along to avoid people talking. Don’t be a woman’s pastor.

1. Be sociable, but spiritual, pray, encourage, advise and uplift them.

1. Try to know the names of children and members of household. Leaving some small gift for children.

2. Be at ease under all condition. Don’t stay too long but don’t always be in haste.

1. Avoid gossip and reference to others weak point or secret when talking.

1. Private confessions are legally protected and are not to be used as illustration at church, for they hint the persons concern and break confidence. Some news cannot even be told to pastor’s wife. Have visiting committees to do follow up work.

1. Be polite in letting people know their need of regular church attendance, don’t scold them.

1. Leave people in the presence of God, pray and uplift in every case.

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