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Explore the ministry of love through visitation, promoting unity, growth, and support within the church. Learn the essential qualities and skills required for effective visitation.
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ELDER’S LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATION LEVEL - 1
A Ministry of Love Love and unity are important characteristics of a Christian’s life.
A Ministry of Love “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”(John 13:34)
Christian love produces unity regardless of the differences It eliminates: • Hate among people. • Racial conflict. • Social rupture. • Prejudice. • Small theological divergences.
Visitation is Essential • An activity neglected by the church. • It captivates sympathy and conquers the member’s heart. • It promotes a member’s growth, spiritual nutrition, and commitment with the church.
Visitation is Essential • An opportunity to know, listen, and help members. • It shows that the leadership cares about their members. • The pastor or elder who visits have more assiduous members.
Visitation is Essential • It prevents apostasy. • It fights heresies and prevents dissidents movements in the church. • It puts the church leadership in contact with the members.
Visitation is Essential “Many of your church members are carrying loads they’ve never talked about. If you make visitation a part of your ministry, they may grow in respect and trust for you” (Elder’s Handbook, p. 87).
Visitation Plan “Planning visitation to the homes should be a part of the church committee or elder committee’s agenda” (Elder’s Handbook, p. 88).
Visitation Plan • List names to be visited. • Divide them among leaders who are capable of visiting. • Chosen people should be trained and equipped. • Adjust number of visitors to the people being visited.
Who Should We Visit? • New members. • Elderly and sick members. • Recently transferred members. • Absent members. • Others.
Why Visit? • There are people who need us. • God has asked us to do this. • It is an expression of love for others. • To bear each other's burdens. • There is joy and satisfaction in helping others.
Qualities of Visitors or Helpers "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith" (2 Cor. 13:5, RAV). "Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:9, 10).
What to Do During Visitation? • Read the Bible. • Pray. • Sing a song/hymn. • Instruct the importance of family worship. • Promote church attendance. • Promote the church program.
What to Do During Visitation? • Promote church literature. • Verify tithe faithfulness. • Comfort, motivate and thank. • Allow them to ask questions. • Give special attention to the children. • Ask for suggestions.
Approach others in Distress • Sensitivity and empathy. • Flexibility. • Genuineness. • Acceptance of differences.
Good Communication Skills • Listening focuses on what the person is saying. • Reflect their feelings. • Listen for themes in the conversation. • Avoid noxious words. • Watch for nonverbal communication.
Good Communication Skills • 30 minutes is enough time. • Long visits tend to become social meetings. • Do not say you are in a hurry and have a lot to do. • Show it is a pleasure to be there.
“God’s angels will accompany you to the homes of those you visit.” (Jesus’ Lessons, p. 57)