Page 56 - Pastoral Ministries -Student Textbook

visitation is a key. All these are benefits and values of pastoral visitation. Church growth does not happen
overnight, it is process and it requires hard work by the pastor

When to Conduct Pastoral Visitation?
It is very important to see the timing of conducting pastoral visitation. Sometimes people make programs to visit
which leads them to looking bad simply because they did not consider the best time of conducting their
programs. I know pastors sometimes visit their members when they feel like doing so, but here are my
suggestions as to when the pastoral visitation could be done.

1. In mid-week visitation.
It is ideal for a pastor to visit his members during the week instead of weekend. This comes in because of the
nature of his work which requires enough time for him to prepare his sermon. I know some pastors especially
from the area where I come from like to prepare the message for Sunday service during the weekend which
sometimes make them not to have ample time to come up with a good sermon. Having this in mind, I suggest
mid-week visitation as oppose to weekend visitation. Yes of course there are some pastors who prepare their
sermon during the week, but still they need to go through it just to make sure everything is fine.

2. Make sure that both man and woman are available if it is the couple.
This is very vital point to consider in as far as the reputation of the pastor is concerned. Many times, pastors find
themselves in a situation of temptation due to lack of timing when visiting their members. It is not ideal for the
pastor to visit a married woman when her husband is not around. I know some respectable pastors who
destroyed their legacy and ministry because of sexual sins. There may be nothing evil happening between
them, but for the sake of the pastor’s reputation I strongly encourage the pastor to visit when both husband and
wife are available to avoid speculations.

One of the requirements for the pastorate is to be above reproach. There may be some unmarried ladies whom
the pastor also needs to pay them visit. I would suggest that the pastor be accompanied by his wife or other
male leaders.

When not to Conduct Pastoral Visitation?

A pastor must prioritize his activities. He should not conduct visitation when his sermon for Sunday has not
been properly prepared. While visitation is extremely valuable, it sometimes must wait until more important
duties are completed. Also, in the event of an extremely busy schedule, the pastor can assign others in the
church to visit those in need.

It is suggested that pastors do not conduct pastoral visitation during the evening or night.

Awareness on how to conduct specific Hospital visitation

During the many years of managing of counseling department in Thomson
hospital one of the major Government hospitals in Luanshya-Copperbelt, I
learned that many patients die after visiting hours. No scientific, biblical or
health discoveries have been made so far to determine the reason for this.
I believe it has to do with the impact factor left by the many visitors. In one
of the languages commonly used in Zambia is known as “Bemba”, visitors in
some circles are nicknamed “Bamwachuleni” meaning “sufferers”. This is so

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