Visitation is a low visibility, but HIGH IMPACT part of ministry. And the best news is that it isn't limited to the pastor and doesn't require an academic degree. However, we do need to ask God for a high degree of tact, skill, and compassion. Here's a few tips to get you started. This was the basis for a training session I did for deacons in our conference. It sparked a lot of positive conversation that hopefully has grown into more implementation.

1. Iceberg Insights
Visitation: The Hidden Ministry

2. Deacon’s & Deaconess’s Bible
• Deacon’s and Deaconess’s Handbook
• Dictionary/Concordance
• Bible maps
• Bible Studies—Christian growth, counseling,
secrets to sharing the gospel with others, call
to evangelism
• There is an Answer! Evangelistic Series
• Biblical Tools for Deacons and Deaconesses

3. Rational for Visitations
• “Christ's method alone will give true success
in reaching the people. The Savior mingled
with men as one who desired their good. He
showed His sympathy for them, ministered to
their needs, and won their confidence. Then
He bade them, ‘Follow Me’” (Ministry of
Healing, 143).

4. Prerequisites
• Have a visitation chairperson
• Avoid duplication of tasks and overlap
of visits
• Schedule the visit
• 2 persons of same gender or married
couple (the aim is to maintain a
reputable ministry by avoiding the very
appearance of evil)

5. Making the Visit a Blessing
1. Prepare—Pray, select promise passage.
2. Befriend—be inclusive, listen, comment.
positively about home, family, etc.
3. Read—limit comments to 2 minutes.
4. Ask—prayer requests. Show concern
rather seeking to answer.
5. Pray—invite all, be specific, mention
absent family members, bless the home.
6. Leave—promptly after prayer—gift.
7. Write—summary of visit.

6. Specific Visitations
• Visiting Church Members
• Purpose: show concern & learn about
interests and talents
• How to conduct:
• Affirm importance
• Read-short comment
• Encourage attendance
• Remind them of resources
• Pray

7. Specific Visitations
• Visiting New Converts
• Purpose: Affirm interest, strengthen growth,
stimulate Bible study
• How to conduct:
• Encourage consistent attendance
• Highlight importance of personal study and
family worship
• Clarify doctrine and lifestyle questions
• Read a text and pray

8. Specific Visitations
• Visiting Those Weak in Faith
• Purpose: Revive spiritual enthusiasm and
encourage them to trust in God completely
• How to conduct:
• Talk about the power of the Bible
• Encourage daily study
• Read and encouraging passage and briefly
comment on how to strengthen our faith
• Pray

9. Specific Visitations
• Visiting Senior Citizens
• Purpose: show concern, offer help, instill hope
• How to conduct:
• Reminisce
• Sing hymns of praise
• Read Bible—especially texts on faith and
perseverance
• Identify needs the church can minister to
• pray

10. Specific Visitations
• Visiting the Sick and Infirm
• Purpose: show concern, pray for healing and
strength, encourage trust in God
• How to conduct:
• Talk about cheerful subjects
• Demonstrate optimism
• Read a text
• Identify needs
• Pray
• Leave some literature

11. Specific Visitations
• Visiting the Sick and Infirm
• Purpose: pray for healing, instill hope
• How NOT to conduct:
• DO NOT be pessimistic
• DO NOT criticize their medical treatment
• DO NOT give medical advice
• DO NOT ask detailed questions
• DO NOT try to supply all the answers
• DO NOT stay more than a few minutes

12. Specific Visitations
• Visiting Shut-Ins
• Purpose: show Christian friendship
• How to conduct:
• Affirm importance to God and church
• Make arrangements for audio/visual services
• Avoid comments about living alone
• Treat them like any other member
• Read a text and comment
• Pray

13. Specific Visitations
• Visiting During Bereavement
• Schedule a few days AFTER the funeral
• Purpose: offer sympathy and hope
• How to conduct:
• Talk about Holy Spirit & Second Coming
• Offer to help with chores
• Contact on special dates
• Share a scripture & pray
• Leave comforting literature

14. Rational for Visitations
“The Lord desires that His word of grace shall
be brought home to every soul. To a great
degree this must be accomplished by personal
labor. This was Christ's method. His work was
largely made up of personal interviews. He had
a faithful regard for the one-soul audience.
Through that one soul the message was often
extended to thousands” (Christ’s Object
Lessons, p. 229).

15. God used one Bible Reading for the Home to convert William Cleveland, who
raised 3 notable preachers that baptized over 10,000 people and trained
generations of preachers to become fruitful evangelists –baptizing 1000’s more.
E.E. Cleveland W.C. Cleveland H.L. Cleveland

17. Cleveland’s still preaching!