Here no single method can be suggested that will be adapted to all
positions in the ministry, but the following general views may be
considered.
The pastor's visits should be distinctly understood as designed for
religious conversation. There are other occasions for visits of mere
courtesy and personal friendship, but here his object is to place
himself in religious contact with his people--to learn their
experiences, to remove their perplexities, to comfort their sorrows, to
stimulate their religious activities--and thus, as one entrusted with
the care of souls, to help them heavenward. The minister who passes
from house to house conversing only on topics of mere secular interest
neglects the great business of his life, and in the eye of the Master
fails in the care of souls committed to his charge.
The visit should be religious, but it ought to be divested as far as
possible of stiffness, formality, sameness. A sour visage and a formal
style are not necessary to religious conversation. The pastor comes as
a Christian friend deeply, tenderly interested in the religious welfare
of the family, and while dealing with their souls in all fidelity, he
should use a natural, genial, winning manner such as to put them at
ease and invite their confidence. He is to study character, and to
employ his utmost tact and judgment in adapting his words to those
addressed. Some pastors have a few stereotyped questions and
exhortations which recur in every visit. A process so stiff and
unnatural lacks all moral power; it is soon felt to be mere formal
professionalism. No duty is more delicate or tasks more fully the
minister's resources than the successful management of a pastoral
visit, so as to leave a strong religious impression, and yet secure
from old and young a hearty welcome for its repetition.
In visitation the pastor should overlook none. Domestics and children,
as well as the heads of the family, should share his attention and be
made to feel that he cares for their souls. Nor should any family or
person be overlooked or passed by, but the visit should be strictly
impartial, made alike to the rich and the poor, the converted and the
unconverted. For this reason, it is better to have a regular course in
visitation. Then all know that there is no favoritism, and in their
turn, they will alike share the regards of their pastor.
Ordinarily, the visit should be short. Circumstances will necessarily
to some extent control this, but long visits almost inevitably lead to
the introduction of secular topics and weaken or destroy the religious
impression. Thoughtless persons will often importune the pastor for a
half-day visit, to be followed by a festal dinner or supper. But let
him beware of yielding to such importunities; it is fatal to his work
in the study, and fatal to the religious force of the visit. No earnest
minister will waste his time and powers in the gossip of such a visit.
As a rule, a brief visit--genial, but to the point--followed, when
practicable, by a brief prayer specifically bearing the individual
needs of the household before the Throne, is the most effective, and it
leaves time to visit the whole congregation without distracting from
thorough pulpit preparation.
A pastoral visit should be confidential. No minister has the right to
invite disclosures of the religious state of his people in the privacy
of their families, and then go forth to retail these conversations
through the community. It is the violation of a sacred trust. Many a
pastor has thus destroyed his influence and barred against himself
access to the confidence of his people. If he would be trusted as the
confidential adviser and friend of his charge, let him be true to the
trusts reposed in him in these visits.
Above all, the pastor must remember the injunction, "Instant in season,
out of season." He should make the most of opportunities. In the store,
the office, and the shop, on the farm, the roadside, and the
car--everywhere--he is to seek to lead men to Christ. Wisely, indeed,
he will observe the proprieties of time and place, but he should
neglect no real opportunity of conversing on vital personal religion.
The care of souls is his life-work, his solemn charge, and concern for
their salvation ought continually to reveal itself in his conversation.
Especially must he seize on opportunities to speak the earnest, kindly
word to the unconverted. Ordinarily, this is better done when alone
with them, as they are then more accessible, and the appeal comes with
greater power. The lack of this personal dealing with souls is one of
the saddest defects than can mar the life of a minister.