*
Understanding the need to visit
*What is important to understand about visit
*The person: Who is being visited
*The Prayer: verbal prayer and listening prayer
*The Presence: God’s
*The Purpose: You represent your church; Engagement in relationship; Prayerful example of
God’s presence
*Organizing the visit (practical steps)
*Make an appointment
*Don’t visit if you are sick
*Spend time in prayer
*Check your emotions: a) toward; b) away and; c) against.
*Gather what you need: Bible, communion, tracts, anointing oil, gift, etc.
*The ride over: Turn off the radio & reflect. Pray some more.
*During the visit
*Be friendly; Be flexible; Be alert; Be confident; Be personal; Be yourself
*Difference between social visit and pastoral visit
*Social visit: talk about people, places and events; maintain a friendly atmosphere; share mutual stories; entertain; comforting, sometimes by avoiding painful stories
*Pastoral visit:
*Quiet patience;
*Good listening: a) pay attention; b) notify; c) develop and dig
*Know the five Rs: Repeat; Restate; reflect; respond, respect.
*Give encouragement from the word, testimonies and songs.
*Ending your visit
*End with appropriate verbal encouragement, a handshake or a smile.
After the visit
•Write a journal
•Reconnect with other staff member (pastors) of even spouse and talk about your experience(s)
•Debrief: some visits are harder. Debrief helps you evaluate, adjust and heal.
•Follow up: If you promise to do something then make sure you do it.
•Make notes: Have notes cards for long “long term visits”
•Take quiet time: Reflect on what you have gained from this visit.
•Prepare for the next visit by taking care of yourself.
Visiting Hospital and Nursing Home (General Guidelines)
•Introduce yourself as a “Minister of Care” or “Pastor.” Use traditional words.
•Get ticket stamped (if possible)
•Stop at the nursing station to inquire about patient.
*Observe the signs, obey them, and don’t enter when the door is closed.
•Always let the patient take the lead in shaking hands; don’t touch, lean or sit on pt’s bed. Sit or stand in pt’s vision.
•State purpose of your visit and whom you are representing.
•Don’t make the visit a medical conference.
•Don’t carry emotional “germs.” Relax and help the patient relax.
•Don’t say, “I understand.” Sometimes, you don’t have to say anything.
•Don’t whisper or speak in low tones to a nurse or anyone else.
•Ask to leave when you know that you need to leave.
•Speak to every patient present. Roommates are people too.
•Do not make the visit too long. End on a positive note.
Helpful passages for ministering to the sick
1) 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (God comforts us in affliction)
2) Psalm 91 (He will give his angels charge over you)
3) Luke 17:11-19 (Your faith has made you well)
(Penitence)
1) Hebrews 12:1-2 (Looking to Jesus, the perfecter of our faith)
2) Psalm 103 (He forgives all your sins)
3) Matthew 9:2-8 (Your sins are forgiven)
(When Anointing is to follow)
1) James 5:14-16 (Is any among you sick?)
2) Psalm 23 (You have anointed my head with oil)
3) Mark 6:7, 12-13 (They anointed with oil many that were sick)
(When Communion is to follow)
1) 1 John 5:13-15 (That you may know that you have eternal life)
2) Psalm 145:14-22 (The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord)
3) John 6:47-51 (I am the bread of life)
Additional resources
1)Handbook for Ministers of Care 2nd Edition. Geneviewe Glen, Marilyn Kofler, Kevin O’Connor. Liturgy Training Publication, 1970
2)Pastor and Patient. A Handbook for Clergy Who Visit the Sick. Richard Dayringer, Ed., Jason Aronson Inc. Northvale, New Jersey. 1995
3)Crisis Counseling--Pastoral Care and Counseling Series (Revised Edition). Howard W. Stone. Creative. Fortress Press, Minneapolis. 1993.
4)The Pastor and the Patient—A Practical Guidebook for Hospital Visitation. Kent D. Richmond & David L. Middleton. Abingdon Press, Nashville. 1992.
5)Pastoral Care in Hospital. Neville A. Kirwood. Morehouse Publishing. 1995.
6)Caring and Curing –Healath and Medicine in the Western Religious Traditions. Ronald L. Numbers & Darrel W. Amendsen (editors). The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. 1998
