Over three years ago on my arrival to London I wanted to know and meet everyone in their natural setting – home, workplace, school. I attempted to visit everybody. Some were more open for the idea than others. Some were asking “Why?” “What did I do?” In the first year I visited almost every home, some more than others, especially those who were more actively involved in the ministry of the church. In some cases a visit required a few months of soliciting for permission.
After the initial year the focus shifted to fix and tune-up functionality of church infrastructures and my visits became more “business” oriented. Of course visits would be done “upon request” too, but not routinely. By now I don’t need the map or an address book to find your home, unless you moved. I keep expecting that people would call not only when sick need anointing, or family is in crisis, or in other extreme cases. But the busyness of life seems to prevent friendly relationship building visits.
I was surprised and encouraged as I saw an article in the Adventist Review this week about necessity of pastoral visitations. Bill Knott, the editor, lists 4 reasons why pastors have been visiting in the homes of fellow Christians for almost 2,000 years.
1. Faith Deserves Support. Faith takes a bruising every week as other, coarser options entice or overwhelm us. We cling to Christ like swimmers caught among the rocks—hoping, praying that the next wave will not undo our grip on things eternal. The pastor who visits believers worn down by the logic of disbelief brings solidarity when it is most needed; he or she is a lifeline and a symbol of hope. Faith requires companions—and specifically, a companion skilled in applying the promises and assurances of God’s Word to the human heart.
2. Sin Requires Rebuke. Only fools believe they can accurately diagnose their own spiritual maladies. It’s the greatest kindness a pastor can do to sit among the debris of failed relationships and fractured morals and firmly call the fallen back to grace. This can’t happen in the boardroom or the church foyer, or in the hearing of the curious or self-righteous. I’ll gladly hear the correction a godly man or woman of God brings me in my living room, even where it goes against the grain, for presence gives credibility.
3. Love Needs Modeling. Visiting believers in their homes present opportunities to teach the skills of reconciliation and peacemaking. Conflict requires no special training; but wisdom and forgiveness call for “special education.” Pastor should be able to say “Follow me as I follow Christ,” in the words of apostle Paul, showing that goodness, gentleness, and self-control are still the fruits of a Spirit-filled Christian. We also get to practice our better self when pastor visits.
4. Prayer Strengthens Hearts. When pastors visit, they call to a new way of seeing our lives. We suddenly remember that all our problems are surmountable with prayer, that all our sins are cancelled as we confess, that by interceding for others we join the ministry of the One who ever lives to make intercession for us. Prayer is the one essential of every pastoral visit—and the thing we miss the most when we neglect the gift of shepherding.
Let’s covenant again that we will not allow this cherished practice of pastoral visits of God’s church to disappear without a trace. Busy, hectic, harried lives require more pastoral care, not less. The grace of shepherding is needed now more than ever.
No comments:
Post a Comment