Family Visitation (5): The Necessity of Family Visitation

What determines the necessity of family visitation? The foundation is in the command of the Lord. From my inquiries, it was obvious that there are many difficulties and questions about this. Many times there are negative thoughts and words, both from the congregation and the office-bearers. We see such little profit, and the fruit is at a minimum. It is felt to be important, but there is a negative attitude as to its necessity. In most instances, people look up against it and they are glad when it is over.

Though we must not look at it subjectively, but objectively, the necessity is not determined by the fruit. The command of the Lord must be in the foreground. Jesus said, “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet” (Matt. 10:14). We must go forward in the way the Lord has directed us. Christ’s work on earth is accomplished by means of duties. He rules His church by His Word and Spirit. We must go forward as long as it is day.

Family visitation is also necessary to take away offenses. There are so many foxes that spoil the vineyard. A wrong custom that sneaks in unawares must be uncovered and uprooted. The whole congregation is an organic entity and is called a body. A rotten spot damages the entity. For this reason, it is necessary that the help of individuals is maintained to preserve the church body. The influx of the world into families is like an ivy that entwines the whole congregation. As an example, if there is no television in our family, then it can be that our children go to the homes of friends or relatives that have a TV. Then they ask, “Why can’t we have it?” This creates tension in the house. It also happens that young people go with one another to perverse places where the devil triumphs. Family visitation is necessary so we can observe these circumstances. How is family life, and how do the children utilize their spare time? If the whole body is to prosper, then each member must acknowledge his accountability. In family visitation, not only spiritual matters are discussed, but also our lifestyle must be in accordance with God’s Word. Our doctrine and life must be in agreement. It is not unusual that there are those who live with a Christian name, but live an unchristian life. The admonitions and rebukes must not be given in a pious manner, as though nothing is permissible, but we need to point out the extreme danger of giving in to temptations. The weeds must be weeded out; otherwise, the good seed will choke when the weeds get the upperhand.

Family visitation is essential for officebearers, and especially for the minister, because it relates to the welfare of the congregation on Sunday. The minister is bound by this responsibility in regard to the congregation, so that on Sunday he can preach according to the needs of the flock. Otherwise there is no insight as to what sermon must be preached or read. Office-bearers who regularly go on house visitation will have the least difficulty with this. If too much time is spent in other interests, then every Sunday we appear before a strange congregation. It is only when we have regular contact with the congregation that we will be aware of the special needs. In this manner we learn to know what is in the heart of young and old. With wisdom and caution, the preaching can be directed for instruction, comfort, and also for God’s judgments. The minister then can enter into the riches of God in all its aspects, both in the singular and variety of ways in which the Holy Spirit works.

Family visitation is a rich source for the pulpit. We can be a talented pulpit orator, and have a large congregation, but if we do not speak from the heart, then everything goes over their heads. We can give rich consolation and expound precious truths, but if it is not applicable it will do more harm than good. Serious study must be accompanied with faithfulness. We must not depart from the level of the congregation. By speaking and listening to the congregation, the rich gradations of the life of faith are made known and the needs established, such as giving advice, admonishment, or comfort. Some members can be presumptuous, others despondent, others in doubt, and there are others who are always optimistic. Preaching must be intimate, spiritual, lively, practical, and realistic. We read in Isaiah 28, “Doth the plowman plow all day to sow?... When he hath made plain the face thereof,” he casts the wheat, “barley and the rie in their place” (Isa. 28:24-25). There are also spiritual surprises with family visitation. And what a wonderful, spiritual bond can be established when we hear of the Holy Spirit’s work in the heart. The heart of the pastor can be humbled and strengthened if he hears that a particular sermon was blessed by the Lord, although he himself thought it a failure.

Family visitation is essential so that there will be one Lord, one faith, and one flock. It is also essential so that the prayers will be applicable for the congregation, including the personal prayers of the pastor. Preaching does not always result in the desired fruits. There are also bitter fruits, and the unripe fruits of hardness or criticism. The knowledge of the needs in the congregation brings us to the throne of grace. If one member suffers, then all the members suffer, especially the office-bearer. Our forefathers, who were convinced of the necessity of family visitation, viewed it as the most accountable function of office-bearing, since it is a solemn responsibility.

Those that perform this work in sincerity, faithfulness, and regularity will experience, with the Lord’s blessing, the power of God’s Word in the families.

Family visitation is an incalculable blessing for the individual and the congregation in general. Fruit will not always be seen, but it will be experienced from the power of God’s Word that He seeks the lost, brings back the wandering, and binds up the broken, and it is for this reason that the Lord uses men and qualifies them. Those that labor in dependence on the Lord will not be idle.

Who must perform family visitation? I will mention a statement of W. Zepper (1550-1607): “Pastors do not fulfill their calling, as many people think, by preaching one or more sermons a week. Pastors must know all their hearers, since they accepted the responsibility of their care in the presence of a triune God. They must know the flock intimately, not superficially, but in the Spirit.”1 Voetius states, “A pastor must not be exonerated from family visitation, but should regularly execute this responsibility. It is in their interest and also of the congregation. Let the exceptions be few.”

The agenda of office-bearers should be examined to see what needs to be done, but with an eye to family visitation as a primary concern, and other duties minimized.

1W. Zepper helped build the church in the Reformed spirit, and served as an example for Voetius.

Rev. H. Hofman is pastor of the Netherlands Reformed congregation of Chilliwack, British Columbia

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen