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 ダッチワイフ Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

8,620 thoughts on “How to Organize a Church Visitation Ministry”

  10. Je suis emerveille par Belgium Casino, il cree un monde de sensations fortes. Il y a un eventail de titres captivants, avec des machines a sous aux themes varies. 100% jusqu’a 500 € + tours gratuits. Le suivi est impeccable. Les transactions sont toujours fiables, cependant plus de promotions frequentes boosteraient l’experience. En resume, Belgium Casino offre une aventure inoubliable. En complement le site est rapide et style, ce qui rend chaque session plus excitante. A mettre en avant les options variees pour les paris sportifs, garantit des paiements securises.
    DГ©couvrir le contenu|

    Reply

  11. J’adore l’energie de Gamdom Casino, ca transporte dans un univers de plaisirs. La bibliotheque de jeux est captivante, comprenant des jeux compatibles avec les cryptos. Il offre un coup de pouce allechant. Le suivi est d’une fiabilite exemplaire. Les gains arrivent sans delai, par moments des recompenses supplementaires seraient parfaites. Pour faire court, Gamdom Casino est un immanquable pour les amateurs. Pour couronner le tout le design est style et moderne, booste le fun du jeu. A signaler les competitions regulieres pour plus de fun, offre des recompenses continues.
    Lire les dГ©tails|

    Reply

  15. Je suis epate par Gamdom Casino, ca offre un plaisir vibrant. Les options de jeu sont incroyablement variees, proposant des jeux de cartes elegants. Le bonus de bienvenue est genereux. Le suivi est d’une fiabilite exemplaire. Le processus est transparent et rapide, occasionnellement des recompenses additionnelles seraient ideales. Dans l’ensemble, Gamdom Casino vaut une visite excitante. Pour ajouter l’interface est lisse et agreable, ce qui rend chaque moment plus vibrant. Un avantage les evenements communautaires pleins d’energie, qui stimule l’engagement.
    Aller sur le web|

    Reply

  17. Je suis fascine par Betify Casino, ca offre un plaisir vibrant. La bibliotheque est pleine de surprises, avec des machines a sous aux themes varies. Il amplifie le plaisir des l’entree. Le support est rapide et professionnel. Les gains arrivent sans delai, a l’occasion des bonus varies rendraient le tout plus fun. En resume, Betify Casino est une plateforme qui fait vibrer. A souligner l’interface est lisse et agreable, booste le fun du jeu. Egalement genial les tournois frequents pour l’adrenaline, propose des privileges sur mesure.
    Explorer la page|

    Reply

  19. J’adore l’energie de Belgium Casino, on ressent une ambiance de fete. Le catalogue est un tresor de divertissements, comprenant des jeux crypto-friendly. Il offre un coup de pouce allechant. Disponible 24/7 pour toute question. Les gains arrivent en un eclair, mais encore des offres plus genereuses seraient top. En bref, Belgium Casino vaut une exploration vibrante. Pour completer le site est rapide et immersif, ajoute une vibe electrisante. A signaler le programme VIP avec des niveaux exclusifs, offre des recompenses continues.
    AccГ©der Г  la page|

    Reply

  21. Je suis emerveille par Betify Casino, il cree une experience captivante. On trouve une profusion de jeux palpitants, offrant des experiences de casino en direct. Il propulse votre jeu des le debut. Le suivi est impeccable. Les retraits sont fluides et rapides, par ailleurs quelques tours gratuits en plus seraient geniaux. En resume, Betify Casino merite un detour palpitant. Ajoutons que le design est moderne et attrayant, ajoute une vibe electrisante. Particulierement fun le programme VIP avec des privileges speciaux, offre des recompenses continues.
    Cliquer maintenant|

    Reply

  37. Je suis sous le charme de Betway Casino, ca invite a plonger dans le fun. Il y a une abondance de jeux excitants, incluant des paris sportifs en direct. Il offre un demarrage en fanfare. Les agents sont rapides et pros. Les gains sont verses sans attendre, par contre des offres plus importantes seraient super. Globalement, Betway Casino offre une experience hors du commun. Par ailleurs l’interface est lisse et agreable, ce qui rend chaque partie plus fun. Particulierement fun les evenements communautaires engageants, garantit des paiements securises.
    Entrer sur le site|

    Reply