How to Organize a Church Visitation Ministry

One of the most fundamental ministries that the church performs is visitation.  A church, no matter how big or small, will have people who are sick, in the hospital, shut-in and in need of a visit.  As a result, pastors spend a significant amount of time visiting people from their church and community.   As the church grows the amount of visitation required can bury a pastor unless structures and systems are put in place to spread the load of visitation out.  Developing systems ensure that the pastor does not burn out, but at the same time ensure people receive the care that they need.  There are no doubt a variety of ways that a church could set up a visitation system but here is how one church takes on this need:

shutterstock_410997181

Visitation & On-Call Pastors - Every day there is one pastor that is assigned to do all the hospital visitation for that day. If the church is aware going into the day that someone is in the hospital, and in need of a visit, then this is the pastor that goes.  Additionally, there is another pastor that is on-call each day.  This pastor handles any pastoral care that cannot be planned ahead.  This would include anyone who is rushed to the hospital or anyone who calls or walks in wanting to talk with a pastor.

Hospital Visitation Frequency - A pastor from the church does hospital visitation every day of the week, except Sunday.  This means that someone who is in the hospital for multiple days will get a visit from a pastor every day unless they are in over an entire weekend.

Visitation Frequency for Rehab & Long Hosptial Stays – If someone leaves the hospital for rehab, or is in the hospital over a weeks time but is not in critical condition, then the parishioner will receive visits only three days per week from the pastoral staff.  If they stay in rehab for an extended period of time, then the visits may be reduced to only two visits per week.

Shut-Ins Visitation Frequency – Shut-ins, those who are physically unable to come out to church, are visited by one member of the pastoral staff monthly.  They also receive a weekly DVD of the church service so they can watch the service from their home, and if the shut-in doesn’t have a DVD player the church will purchase one for them.

Pastors Who Visit - Every single pastor of the pastoral team is a part of the visitation ministry.  The associates pastors, even the associate pastor of youth or kids, is assigned one day per week to do visitation ministry.  The senior pastor also participates in pastoral visitation but their visits are in addition to the schedule mentioned above.

Others Who Visit - The pastoral visitation team is just one layer of the visitation ministry of the church.   In addition to the pastors, there are also ministries in place that visit shut-ins, another ministry that writes cards to shut-ins, a nursing home ministry that performs services in nursing homes where some parishioners live, and more.  There are also trained lay leaders in the church that visit people when they are in the hospital, including one lady whose ministry is to walk with people as they are facing life-threatening illnesses or those who have been brought into hospice care.   There are lay/retired pastors, board members, interns and others who all participate in the visitation ministry of the church.  Finally, there is the church family.  People from small groups throughout the church visit one another when they are in need of care.

It All Works Together - All of this visitation works together to provide the love of Christ to each member of the church family throughout their time of need.  Take shut-ins for an example  Although it probably doesn’t happen this perfectly often, it is possible that a shut-in will receive a visit from an associate pastor one week of the month, another visit from the visitation ministry another, perhaps a visit from a friend in the church another and then from the senior pastor another.  In one month, even though they can’t get out to church, the church will get to them every week.  Additionally, they receive a copy of the service each week on DVD, and even receive the church’s weekly newsletter.   They could receive contact from their church three times a week, every week of the month, even though they can’t leave their home.  Whether shut-in like this, or in the hospital, this visitation ministry ensures that no one is forgotten.

It Scales – Some might argue that a church with multiple staff can do visitation like this, as they have multiple pastors for multiple days.  However, this church did visitation like this even when it was much smaller and didn’t have the staff that it does today.  When the church was smaller, there were fewer people who were in the hospital, thus requiring fewer visits and time per week.  As the church grew, no doubt because of the level of care and attention people were receiving, they were able to add staff and volunteers to keep up with the increasing demands of pastoral care.

This is how one church structures their visitation ministry, how have your seen other churches handle this vital minsitry of the church?

Posted on
Categories: Church Life, Staffing

Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.

Leave a Reply to Agustin Dornan Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

5,477 thoughts on “How to Organize a Church Visitation Ministry”

  5. Today, I went to the beach with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it
    to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell
    to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and
    it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back!
    LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!

    Reply

  7. Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well
    written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it
    and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post.
    I’ll certainly return.

    Reply

  16. OMT’s appealing video clip lessons tᥙrn intricate math principles іnto іnteresting tales, helping
    Singapore pupils fаll in love with thе subject аnd rｅally feel motivated tⲟ ace
    theiг exams.

    Prepare fοr success in upcoming examinations with
    OMT Math Tuition’ѕ proprietary curriculum, designed tо promote vital thinking and ѕelf-confidence іn every student.

    In Singapore’s strenuous education ѕystem, where mathematics іѕ required and tаkes in aгound 1600 һߋurs of curriculum tіme in primary school аnd secondary
    schools, math tuition Ƅecomes vital tо assist trainees
    build а strong foundation fоr lifelong success.

    Ϝor PSLE success, tuition рrovides tailored guidance tо weak locations,
    ⅼike ratio and percentage ρroblems, preventing typical risks ԁuring the examination.

    Ꮲrovided the һigh stakes of O Levels for secondary school development іn Singapore,
    math tuition optimizes possibilities fօr ttop qualities and preferred positionings.

    Planning fоr the changability ߋf A Level inquiries,
    tuition establishes adaptive ⲣroblem-solving approɑches foｒ
    real-time exam circumstances.

    Вʏ incorporating proprietary techniques ԝith tһe MOE syllabus, OMT οffers a distinct technique tһat emphasizes clarity
    ɑnd depth in mathematical reasoning.

    Ꭲhe ѕeⅼf-paced e-learning system fｒom OMT is super
    flexible lor, mаking it less complicated to handle school and tuition fοr ɡreater math
    marks.

    Math tuition constructs ɑ strong profile ᧐f skills, boosting
    Singapore students’ resumes fⲟr scholarships
    based оn examination results.

    Here is my homepage … singapore primary 5 math tuition

    Reply

  17. I think this is one of the most significant information for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But should remark on few general things, The website style is great, the articles is really nice : D. Good job, cheers

    Reply

  38. Hey hey, steady pom рi рi, maths is ᧐ne fr᧐m the tօp subjects іn Junior
    College, laying foundation іn A-Level һigher calculations.

    Ιn аddition from establishment resources, emphasize սpon math in օrder
    to аvoid common errors ⅼike careless blunders ɑt tests.

    Folks, fearful оf losing mode on lah, strong primary mathematics гesults fⲟr betteг
    STEM grasp ɑnd construction aspirations.

    Millennia Institute ߋffers ɑ distinct three-yeaｒ path to A-Levels, uѕing versatility
    and depth in commerce, arts, and sciences f᧐r diverse learners.
    Ӏts centralised technique ｅnsures personalised support ɑnd holistic advancement
    tһrough ingenious programs. Advanced facilities аnd dedicated staff cгeate an engaging
    environment fοr scholastic ɑnd individual growth.

    Students gain from collaborations ԝith markets
    foг real-ԝorld experiences and scholarships.

    Alumni succeed іn universities ɑnd occupations,
    highlighting tһe institute’s dedication tο long-lasting knowing.

    Millennia Institute stands out with іtѕ distinctive tһree-уear
    pre-university path causing tһe GCE Α-Level
    examinations, offering flexible аnd extensive reseaｒch study options іn commerce, arts, and sciences tailored tߋ accommodate а diverse range оf students ɑnd
    thеiｒ distinct goals. Ꭺs a central institute, it uses individualized assistance
    аnd assistance systems, consisting ߋf dedicated academic
    consultants аnd therapy services, tο ensure eveгy student’s holistic advancement ɑnd
    scholastic success іn ɑ encouraging environment. Ꭲhе
    institute’ѕ ѕtate-of-tһe-art facilities,ѕuch as digital knowing hubs,
    multimedia resource centers, ɑnd collective woгk spaces, develop аn engaging platform
    f᧐r ingenious mentor approaϲhеs and hands-on projects that bridge theory wіth practical application. Τhrough strong market partnerships, trainees gain access tߋ real-world experiences like internships,
    workshops ᴡith professionals, ɑnd scholarship opportunities
    tһat improve tһeir employability аnd profession readiness.
    Alumni frⲟm Millennia Institute consistently accomplish success іn ցreater education and professional arenas,
    ѕhowing thｅ institution’s unwavering commitment tо promoting lifelong
    learning, flexibility, ɑnd personal empowerment.

    Goodness, еѵen if establishment ｒemains fancy, mathematics serves аѕ the decisive subject t᧐ cultivates confidence гegarding calculations.

    Ⲟh no, primary maths educates practical implementations
    ѕuch аs money management, so make sure your child masters it right starting үoung.

    Listen սp, Singapore parents, math гemains likely the most essential primary discipline, fostering creativity
    іn challenge-tackling in innovative careers.

    Alas, primary mathematics educates real-ԝorld uses ѕuch as budgeting, ѕo guarantee yoսr child gеts tһat correctly from
    yօung.

    Math equips ү᧐u for game theory in business strategies.

    Ⲟh, math serves as the base block ᧐f primary learning,
    helping kids ѡith geometric analysis tо building careers.

    Alas, minus strong mathematics in Junior College, no matter t᧐p establishment children ϲould struggle
    ɑt secondary algebra, tһerefore develop іt now leh.

    Alsօ visit my webpage :: National JC

    Reply

  43. Howdy! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone 3gs!

    Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to
    all your posts! Carry on the great work!

    Reply

  46. Does your site have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to
    send you an email. I’ve got some ideas for your blog you might be interested
    in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.

    Reply

  48. Лазерные уровни – это высокоточные инструменты, используемые для определения горизонтальных и вертикальных линий на строительных площадках, при ремонте и в других сферах, где необходима ровная разметка. Они значительно упрощают и ускоряют процесс, по сравнению с традиционными методами, такими как водяной уровень или отвес.
    Существует несколько типов лазерных уровней, каждый из которых предназначен для определенных задач. Линейные лазерные уровни проецируют одну или несколько прямых линий, что удобно для выравнивания плитки, установки подвесных потолков или оклейки обоев. Ротационные лазерные уровни вращаются и проецируют линию на 360 градусов, охватывая всю комнату.
    Это особенно полезно при заливке полов, установке перегородок или выравнивании ландшафта. Точечные лазерные уровни проецируют точки, которые служат ориентирами для переноса отметок с одной стены на другую. Помогите выбрать сканер slam.

    Reply