PASTORAL THEOLOGY : VISITATION, CARE & HOSPITALITY

 

"The Pastor by definition is a shepherd, the under-shepherd of the flock of God. His primary task is to feed the flock by leading then to green pastures. He also has to care for them when they are sick or hurt, and seek them when they go astray. The importance of the pastor depends on the value of the sheep. Pursue the pastoral metaphor a little further: Israel's sheep were reared, fed, tended, retrieved, healed and restored - for sacrifice on the altar of God. This end of all pastoral work must never be forgotten - that its ultimate aim is to lead God's people to offer themselves up to Him in total devotion of worship and service. (William Still: The Work of the Pastor: p.1] "

The goal of pastoral ministry is to help our people to become "living sacrifices" (Rom.12:1)  

The ultimate task of the Pastor- Shepherd is to help their people to give themselves up to worship and service to God who has redeemed them from fruitless living. This is no easy task, since we live in a fallen world, where there is so much damage and hurt done to God's sheep, and where His sheep often act stubbornly and go willingly astray. In that context the task of the Pastor- Shepherd is to make sure that the sheep are fed, tended, retrieved, healed and restored. The preaching of the Word obviously contributes a major part to this process. However, it cannot stop there.

1. THE IMPORTANCE OF VISITATION, CARE AND HOSPITALITY 

Pastoral ministry is more than preaching. 

There needs to be a practical overflow of the preaching ministry in terms of individual attention given to the members of our flock. In this regard we must remember that,

• Pastors need to show their flock that they practise what they preach.
• The credibility of their pulpit ministry is enhanced by practical, individual pastoral work. 
• God’s people are often best helped by individual attention.                 

 Individual care is essential

God’s people need to be dealt with at their individual levels of need and understanding. Pastors never really know what goes on in the lives of their people unless they frequently interact with them. Jesus, the Good Shepherd knows his sheep (Jn.10:14). Pastors follow His example.  They need to know the condition of their flock (Prov. 27:23)

It is   an effective teaching arm of the church.

It is an opportunity to catechize or instruct God’s people in a personal setting, in a personal and understandable way.

2.      PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS &  VITAL QUESTIONS

  Visitation  

•  Do we have a plan for visitation?
•  Are we involving others in visitation?
•  Are we available for visitation, and do we make it known?
•   Do we have a purpose in our visitation?

    Caring

• Do we lead by example?
• Do we promote " a culture of care" in our church? Is it seen?
• Are our deacons exercising their true calling as ministers of mercy?  

     Hospitality

• Is Christian hospitality becoming part of our culture?
• Are elders leading by their example? (1Tim. 3:2)
• Are we actually teaching our members to be hospitable?

3.       HINDRANCES

Pastoral visitation, hospitality and care giving can be difficult because God's people themselves do not always see the value of this ministry. 

• They may be intimidated by the thought of having a pastor in their home.
• They may be exhausted by their work or family demands and therefore they are not able to receive a pastoral visit etc. This takes patience and understanding and perseverance.
• They may be visited in the evenings / weekends and times when     the pastor’s family may need him.
• Pastors/elders themselves may at times be over extended by workload or family needs, so that they hardly have the time or energy to engage in visitation, caring and hospitality. 
• Pastors/ elders are expected to use their often own limited resources to do this ministry. Churches ought not to take this for granted, but consider a travelling allowance for the pastor/elders.  Consider also that some members may stay a great distance away.
•  Pastoral ministry of this kind demands discipline and planning. A visitation plan drawn up each year goes a long way to meet this need.
• It is hard work to give consistent individual attention to this "from door to door" ministry, but  it works  proactively and frequently avoids later conflict.