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?

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

Leave a Reply to elektricheskie jaluzi_dxSl Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

8,129 thoughts on “How to Organize a Church Visitation Ministry

  1. J’adore la vibe de Vbet Casino, ca donne une vibe electrisante. Il y a un eventail de titres captivants, comprenant des titres adaptes aux cryptomonnaies. Il propulse votre jeu des le debut. Les agents sont rapides et pros. Les transactions sont d’une fiabilite absolue, occasionnellement des recompenses en plus seraient un bonus. En bref, Vbet Casino assure un fun constant. Pour ajouter l’interface est lisse et agreable, ce qui rend chaque partie plus fun. A signaler les options de paris sportifs diversifiees, propose des avantages uniques.
    Visiter maintenant|

  2. Je suis emerveille par Vbet Casino, on ressent une ambiance festive. Les options sont aussi vastes qu’un horizon, avec des slots aux designs captivants. 100% jusqu’a 500 € avec des spins gratuits. Le service client est de qualite. Les retraits sont lisses comme jamais, a l’occasion des recompenses additionnelles seraient ideales. En somme, Vbet Casino assure un fun constant. Pour ajouter la navigation est simple et intuitive, ce qui rend chaque moment plus vibrant. Particulierement interessant les transactions en crypto fiables, assure des transactions fluides.
    Continuer Г  lire|

  3. J’ai un faible pour Posido Casino, ca offre un plaisir vibrant. Il y a une abondance de jeux excitants, comprenant des titres adaptes aux cryptomonnaies. Avec des transactions rapides. Le service client est de qualite. Les gains sont verses sans attendre, mais encore des bonus plus frequents seraient un hit. Globalement, Posido Casino merite un detour palpitant. Par ailleurs la plateforme est visuellement captivante, ce qui rend chaque moment plus vibrant. Un plus le programme VIP avec des niveaux exclusifs, renforce le lien communautaire.
    Naviguer sur le site|

  4. J’adore la vibe de Posido Casino, il propose une aventure palpitante. Le choix est aussi large qu’un festival, proposant des jeux de casino traditionnels. Il offre un demarrage en fanfare. Le service d’assistance est au point. Les paiements sont surs et fluides, en revanche des recompenses additionnelles seraient ideales. En conclusion, Posido Casino offre une aventure memorable. De plus la plateforme est visuellement electrisante, amplifie l’adrenaline du jeu. Un avantage notable les tournois frequents pour l’adrenaline, renforce la communaute.
    DГ©couvrir les offres|

  5. sex ドールs novel it is based far less than any other on personalexperienc Unfortunately such thorough-going invention was not suitedto Smollets geniu The result i that while uninteresting as anovel of contemporary manner Fathom has an interest of its own inthat it reveals a new side of its author.We think of Smolletgenerally,

  6. J’adore l’energie de Posido Casino, on y trouve une vibe envoutante. La selection est riche et diversifiee, avec des slots aux designs captivants. Il donne un elan excitant. Le suivi est d’une precision remarquable. Les retraits sont fluides et rapides, a l’occasion des bonus diversifies seraient un atout. Dans l’ensemble, Posido Casino merite un detour palpitant. Pour couronner le tout le site est rapide et engageant, ce qui rend chaque session plus excitante. A signaler les tournois reguliers pour la competition, garantit des paiements securises.
    Explorer le site|

  7. OMT’s proprietary curriculum introduces fun challenges that mirror exam concerns, triggering love fоr math and the motivation tߋ do remarkably.

    Join оur small-group on-site classes іn Singapore f᧐r tailored assistance іn a nurturing environment that
    develops strong foundational math skills.

    Singapore’ѕ focus on important thinking thrօugh mathematics highlights
    thе significance ᧐f math tuition, ᴡhich assists students develop tһe analytical skills demanded Ƅy tһe country’s forward-thinking curriculum.

    Ϝоr PSLE achievers, tuition supplies mock tests аnd feedback, assisting refine responses for optimum marks іn Ƅoth multiple-choice and
    oрen-endеd areas.

    Secondary math tuition ցets rid ⲟf the restrictions of Ьig classroom sizes,
    ցiving concentrated focus tһat enhances understanding fօr O Level preparation.

    Personalized junior college tuition helps link tһe space frоm O
    Level to Ꭺ Level mathematics, ensuring students
    adjust tο the increased rigor and deepness callеd for.

    Distinctively, OMT enhances tһe MOE syllabus ѡith a custom program
    featuring analysis evaluations tߋ tailor web content tⲟ each trainee’s strengths.

    Gamified elements mаke alteration enjoyable lor, urging mоrе practice аnd bring aƅ᧐ut quality enhancements.

    Specialized math tuition f᧐r O-Levels aids Singapore secondary pupils separate tһemselves іn a crowded applicant swimming pool.

    Feel free tο visit mү webpage :: best tuition