I have found great value in keeping a confidential, integrated, real-time database of contacts that have been made by pastors, elders, and deacons. It helps identify households that have not been attended to in a timely manner, and it helps reassure our designated visitors that the church is attending faithfully to congregants. The integrated database also supports efficient stewardship of finite volunteer hours.
With congregants' permission, the designated visitor submits a very basic report of each visit to the administrator of the secure database including the name of the visitee, date of visit, a one word description of the nature of the visit, and an optional flag for follow up. In my previous congregation, visitors submitted these reports via a dedicated, password-protected voicemail box at the church. In my current congregation, elders would prefer to send their reports electronically. I haven't found a simple electronic format that protects confidentiality. Any suggestions?
Jack VanderVeer, Community Support Pastor, Jubilee Fellowship, St. Catharines ON
