Prioritizing Pastoral Visitation

One of the simplest ways to gain the respect and admiration of any child of God is to visit with them in a time of need. Many Christians can recall a time when a visit from their pastor was the very event that helped them the most in the midst of crisis. Though pastors know this, it can be the hardest thing to consistently perform in ministry!

Even though pastors are stretched in their responsibilities, they must be sure to make quality visits. Not only quality visits, but also various types of visits. Balancing the priority between these can be wearisome. In spite of the frustration that can frequently arise with the visitation portion of ministry, without a doubt, it is the most rewarding experience a pastor can have.

Let’s face it, some visits are more important than others. We are not saying that people are unimportant or less significant, but we are advocating that pastors prioritize who they visit, when they visit and how long they visit certain people. Consider the following…

#1 Church Visitors – When folks visit your worship service, they need a visit! As soon as is humanly possible they need the pastor, and preferably another church member, returning the visit. Even if it is just a minute or two at the door where a gospel witness can be reiterated, this type of visit is essential.

#2 Unsaved People You Are Asked To Visit – Occasionally a pastor will be asked to visit a friend or relative of a church member who is lost. It is very important that the pastor make the visit as soon as he can. Much prayer should precede this, but no time should be wasted by deferring this matter very long.

#3 New Members Of The Community – This is often over looked in the ministry. Through various sources, a pastor can keep up with who has just moved into the community. New move-ins are prime territory for cults. It is best to beat them to the door!

#4 New Converts – These people are in great need of direction and personal care. Frequent visits may be necessary to help disciple the newly saved. The time spent here is never wasted!

#5 The Sick – When someone is ill or hospitalized, a pastor should be sure to make an appearance. These visits are longed for in many cases. People may forget your sermon title, but they will not forget it when you visited them in the hospital.

#6 Elderly And Shut-Ins – The senior saints must not be neglected nor forgotten. They need attention from the pastor. Set a routine and stick with it! These visits are a lot of fun! Enjoy your time with these people!

#7 Church Members – Visit people in your congregation as often as common sense deems appropriate. Don’t play favorites, but spend quality time. Pastors build relationships and this is only solidified with personal visitation!

Conclusion

Visitation is vital to a thriving ministry. No matter how many things are competing for your time, if you are too busy to visit, then you are way too busy! Build a better relationship with people by spending time with them!

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10573: Preaching & Preachers Preaching & PreachersBy Martyn Lloyd-Jones / Zondervan

A classic from one of the most dynamic preachers of this century! Originally delivered as a series of lectures, Lloyd-Jones’s essays capture the essence of powerful preaching. His insights on the shape and preparation of the sermon, the preacher’s relationship to the congregation, and more will give you much to ponder as you write your next sermon.

12 Tips For Overcoming Fear In Soul Winning!

Pastor Andrew SchankNo single person  is immune from the fear that can grip you heart when presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Its no wonder for we are in a spiritual battle: The Battle Of The Ages! We can speak about many things, but Satan is totally against us speaking for Christ. We must learn to overcome this and it is certain that God will help us do this very thing!

A while back I came across some tips that helped me with sharing the gospel. I hope you will find them helpful! Feel free to share these with your friends!

Overcoming Fear In Witnessing!

1.    Try to memorize an approach when addressing someone. Use a Soul-Winning Plan.

2.    Pray about your fear

3.    Remember and REALIZE that Jesus is with you. Matthew 28:18-20

4.    Do not be afraid to make a mistake

5.    Do not be afraid of doing more harm than good

6.    Do not be afraid of people asking questions

7.    Be MORE concerned about winning souls than friends

8.    Be DETERMINED to be a soul winner

9.    Do not let your imagination defeat you

10.    Refuse to think about your fear

11.    Have a positive mental attitude

12.    Be filled with the spirit.

          a.    Empty yourself – confess sin and get forgiveness
b.    Obey God – yield to Him
c.    Ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit
d.    Claim the filling by faith and go forth

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76959: The Soul Winner The Soul Winner

By Charles Spurgeon / Christian Focus Publications

Evangelist par excellenceSpurgeon literally wrote the book on soul-winning. Distilling the Great Commission in this series of lectures, addresses and sermons he clearly and deftly conveys the length, depth and breadth of evangelism. He gives exacting definitions (so no ambiguity should remain) of, outlines qualifications and obstacles for, reveals the cost and reward of, and offers encouragement to those who should be about their “Father’s business”.Six college lectures begin the tour through what Spurgeon calls the “main pursuit of every true believer”, followed by four addresses given to Monday-evening prayer meetings for other preachers and teachers. Five instructive sermons follow, imparting such directives that will show the believer that “…he is wise who selects for his raw material immortal souls, whose existence shall outlast the stars.” In word and in deed, Spurgeon is a giant upon whose shoulders we should eagerly yet humbly aspire to stand.

Soulwinning Power – By Pastor Dan Reed | Manna For Your Day

Dr. Dan Reed was born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1951. He was saved at the Woodland Avenue Baptist Church in 1973 while studying engineering at Auburn University. Sensing the call to preach in 1973 he enrolled at Tennessee Temple College under the ministry of Dr. Lee Roberson. Finishing his B.A. in December of 1975 he was called to Emden, Missouri , a town of 61, to pastor the Community Baptist Church. Pastor Reed has started two churches and two Christian schools during his 33-year ministry. He is currently the pastor of Harvest Baptist Church of Acworth, Georgia. (Learn more about Dr. Reed HERE)

SOULWINNING POWER

Scripture Reading: Acts 2:1-4, Acts 4:31, Ephesians 5:18

Text: Ephesians 5:18 “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess;  but be filled with the Spirit.”

In Acts 2 the entire 120 in the upper room were waiting on God in prayer for “the promise of the Father.”(Luke 24:49) When the day of Pentecost was come, the Scripture tells us they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they left that place to preach with boldness and win 3000 souls to Christ. Later in Acts 4 it happened again that “they prayed…and were all filled with the Holy Ghost and they spake the Word of God with boldness.” The church grew by leaps and bounds because the people were filled with the Holy Spirit and boldly used God’s Word with power to win people to Christ. Later, Paul commanded everybody in the churches to “be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Great soulwinners have always been men and women who believed in the power and unction of the Holy Spirit. There are those who say that the filling of the Holy Spirit is just being yielded to do what He says. But the Scripture teaches plainly that we are to plead and cry for the Holy Spirit’s fullness so that we can win souls. In Luke 11 Jesus tells the story of the importunate man going to his friend at midnight because someone has come to him in need of food. Jesus says that the man would not rise and give him bread because he was his friend, but because he kept pleading, he got up and gave him what he needed. Then Jesus said, “If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” Did you notice that He said we must ask Him for the Holy Spirit?.

My first church was in a little town called Emden, Missouri. It was just a crossroads with a population of 61! The nearest town was 10 miles away and it only had 1000 people. It was a farming community and houses were far apart. When God led me there I was 24 and new at pastoring and I made a whole lot of mistakes. But I had read Dr. Rice’s book on the Power of Pentecost and His book on soulwinning which taught that winning souls was a matter of having God’s power and that in order to have His power, you must pray and plead for it. So, I would go out behind the church on Saturday nights, look up into the sky and beg God to fill me with His Holy Spirit. Many, many nights found me walking back and forth across the pasture quoting Isaiah 44:3 “I will pour water on him who is thirsty and floods on the dry ground. I will pour My Spirit upon thy seed and my blessing on thine offspring.” I was young, a little brash in my preaching, but oh, how God blessed that year that I was there with over 70 public professions of faith and many  baptisms.

Maybe the reason we do not win souls much is that we don’t do what Jesus said about praying and begging God for His power! The fullness of the Holy Spirit is given us primarily to win souls and we must have an earnest, heartfelt desire to do it in order for God to fill us! In fact, Acts 5:32 says that He only gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him. Why should He fill you if you are not willing to obey Him, first by continually begging Him for that fullness and then by witnessing to those around you?

Questions to Ponder

1. Do you have seasons of prayer where you ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit to help you win souls?

2. Do you have regular times to go soulwinning? No one is a consistent soulwinner who does not go soulwinning consistently.”

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54155: Revival Revival

By Martyn Lloyd-Jones / Crossway Books & Bibles

Revival is the lifeblood of a vital church. Without the fervor revival brings, the church cannot accomplish its mission in the world. Yet today’s church is rife with apathy. How can revival be rekindled? Clearly and forcefully, Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes the circumstances which produced past revivals, discerns why each generation needs revival, and shows how revival will come about today. 316 pages, paper from Crossway.

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