Pastoral Visitation: A Pocket Manual

by David Short; David Searle

Publisher:

Christian Focus

, 2004

Overview

Visiting the sick, lonely or downcast is a duty we all have as Christians. It is not to be left to ministers or elders but is a responsibility for all those who seek to follow Christ's perfect example. The problem often arises when we actually make the visit. Discussing the weather or the hospital food is all very well, but for our visit to have maximum value we need to try and help the person spiritually. Reading our favorite Bible passage might suffice once, but it cannot be apt to every situation. What happens when you visit for a second time?

This is where this book helps. Providing Scripture readings, a prayer and even a suggested hymn for a wide range of possible visits, it is a wonderfully useful tool. Written by authors with long pastoral experience, it will prove a real help to all those who seek to turn the routine visit into a time of real spiritual growth.

Contents

Top Highlights

“ Pray for the Lord’s presence and the Holy Spirit’s help.” (Page 10)

“God’s promises are utterly reliable, and the most valuable service we can render to those we visit is to help them to find strength in God, by leaving with them a relevant promise or statement from God’s Word. The same applies to correspondence, whether by post or e-mail. The Word of God is a seed (Luke 8:11).” (Page 6)

“If a visit is to have maximum value, it must be a means of bringing God into the situation in some way.” (Page 5)

“It is impossible to imagine a greater privilege than that. Pastoral visitation and friendship are important, and essential for effective ministry. The basic requirements are to be there; to be sensitive to any particular needs; to be practical and helpful; and not to stay too long.” (Page 5)

“It is a good idea to leave a card with the text on it.” (Page 11)

Product Details

• Title: Pastoral Visitation: A Pocket Manual
• Authors: David Searle & David Short
• Publisher: Christian Focus Publications
• Publication Date: 1987
• Pages: 144

About the Authors

David Searle s Director of Rutherford House, a theological research and study centre in Edinburgh until his retirement in 2005. Prior to that he pastored two Churches of Scotland before moving to Bangor, County Down in Northern Ireland where he pastored Hamilton Road Presbyterian Church for eight years from 1985.

David Short, a Consultant Cardiologist at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for some 25 years, was appointed Physician to Her Majesty the Queen in 1977 and then Emeritus Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Aberdeen. In addition to his medical career he was both a preacher of God’s Word and a pastor, particularly to the sick, bereaved and discouraged. Together with his wife Joan, he prayed faithfully and systematically for the many whom God laid on their hearts. He died in May 2005.