Neil, thank you for starting the "Home Visit" forum. We're currently in the process of conducting Home Visits. This renewed initiative comes after numerous failed attempts over the past twenty years. A review of Council Minutes going back to the mid-1970's (shortly after the our church became formally Organized), documents a very vibrant Home Visit program. This trend continued into the mid-1980's when, for whatever reason, this time-honored custom became a thing of the past....until September 2010. What changed? Our church has entered a "Season of Transition" with the pending 2011 retirement of our pastor of 17 years. We purpose to use this transition time well and with God leading us accomplish a Home Visit with each family. Each of our 5 Elders has approximately 20 families within their District. Where to start? We began with prayer asking God for courage, strength, guidance and wisdom. We got our nose into "the Elder's handbook", Part 3: Moving amoung God's People. We learned the tradition of Home Visits has ancient roots. Paul visited believers from house to house (Act 20:20), and churches that practice regular pastoral visits are the richer for it. We've continued to pray seeking God's guidance and continued to receive training from the handbook. Reaching out in faith, we have started making Home Visits once again to the members of our church family with a focus on "building relationships". I've heard it said, "Do your best and let God do the rest". Knowing God loves us, God is for us and God is with us, we'll continue to improve. Blessings to All.
Posted in: How Do You Conduct an Effective and Useful Home Visit?
Neil, thank you for starting the "Home Visit" forum. We're currently in the process of conducting Home Visits. This renewed initiative comes after numerous failed attempts over the past twenty years. A review of Council Minutes going back to the mid-1970's (shortly after the our church became formally Organized), documents a very vibrant Home Visit program. This trend continued into the mid-1980's when, for whatever reason, this time-honored custom became a thing of the past....until September 2010. What changed? Our church has entered a "Season of Transition" with the pending 2011 retirement of our pastor of 17 years. We purpose to use this transition time well and with God leading us accomplish a Home Visit with each family. Each of our 5 Elders has approximately 20 families within their District. Where to start? We began with prayer asking God for courage, strength, guidance and wisdom. We got our nose into "the Elder's handbook", Part 3: Moving amoung God's People. We learned the tradition of Home Visits has ancient roots. Paul visited believers from house to house (Act 20:20), and churches that practice regular pastoral visits are the richer for it. We've continued to pray seeking God's guidance and continued to receive training from the handbook. Reaching out in faith, we have started making Home Visits once again to the members of our church family with a focus on "building relationships". I've heard it said, "Do your best and let God do the rest". Knowing God loves us, God is for us and God is with us, we'll continue to improve. Blessings to All.