Church Visitation

If you visit them till they tell you they've joined another churhc, not only have you annoyed them, you've turned them off, and odds are they haven't really joined a church. I know before I was saved I "joined" a lot of churches to get people off my back. And in fact is joining a church what you really want them to do, or is it salvation? Are numbers the most important thing?
How many times you visit should depend on the prospect. Do they seem to not mind people visiting them, do they seem like thay don't like it but are just too polite to say so, or do they just make it plain they don't wan tot be visited?
You can not bully people into salvation or in joining a church, if you've bullied them they may not have made the right decision that reflects God's will, but made the decision that would get rid of people nagging them.

 

We have a church with membership as of Sunday night of exactly 1,200. We have MANY visitors each week. Tuesday nights, every other week, are our Visitation Blitz. Each family is given a card with each visit noted, with remarks, etc. We visit a family once and if they seem uninterested, they go back into the 'book' for a later visit. The cards are updated if they come again and fill out a visitor's card again.

We have so many visitors that we don't have the manpower to 'over visit' people. If someone has questions or needs, they're passed on to the appropriate person. Just last night I spoke with a woman who has not joined because she heard from another lady that you had to be re Baptized. The other lady came from a Methodist background but hadn't told this lady that. I explained to her how she could move her letter and then spoke with our Sr. Pastor's secretary who will let him know of this concern so he can give Rachel a call and reassure her that we're not 'off the wall' with our 'requirements'.

 

I think if it is a new Christian a visit or two are in order to show people care.

However I hate when people randomly come to my house without calling. As being saved for many years I know Baptists! I know if I visit a church and put the visitor card in the offering plate, I will get a visit. Often times it is church polity to do this and is simply a mechanisim for growth. My pastor and several other dedicated people do it in our church.

If someone wants to visit me then come because you genuinly care about me. Not just because you are going out on Tuesday night visitation with a goal of getting in 4 visits. That is performing a duty and people see right through it.

I think people should give a phone call as follow up to seasoned christians. It would be more appreciated than having someone barge in for a 15 minute visit uninvited at 7:30 PM. People are relaxing and getting kids ready for bed. Most folks I know don't have much company on work nights. It is irritating.

 

I think a visitation program of some sort is important. I must agree that too much visitation can be seen as harrassment to some people.

In Christ,

Brooks

 

Our church uses the GROW model. A combination of letters, telephone calls, and visits. Seems to work fairly well and encourages greater involvement of members.