“A LOST ART”
Is visitation a lost art? Has visiting members of the church gone out of style? What about church visitation programs? In the schedule of activities of congregations, is there a time set when members go out to visit other members? Actually, the word visit is only used four times in the New Testament (Acts 7:23; 15:14; 15:36; James 1:27). Luke records, “And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do” (Acts 15:36). When James wrote, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (Jam. 1:27), he was not referring (even though it could be included) to a church visitation program but rather teaching Christians to take care of the widows and orphans.
The Bible is very clear that we must, not only be concerned, but put forth effort to help and encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ. An examination of Matthew 25:31-46 is very plain. Jesus went through a good list, “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came un-to me” (Matt.25:35-36).
Notice Jesus statement, “I was sick and you sent me a text…” oh, sorry, that’s not what he said, “I was sick and you called me…” oh, sorry, keep getting this wrong. “I was sick, and ye visited me…” The lost art of visitation! Why don’t we visit more?
TOO BUSY!
Husband and wife both work, children are in school, and after school activities have an effect on our lifestyle. Come home from work, cook dinner, and see that children get their homework. Saturday is taken up with grocery shopping, lawn maintenance plus a multiplicity of other things. So when do we have time to visit?
PEOPLE DON’T WANT YOU KNOCKING ON THEIR DOOR!
Folks are busy (see above), they don’t have time for someone to come knocking on their door for a visit. They have to go to Wal-Mart, Lowes, Home Folks are busy (see above), they don’t have time for someone to come knocking on their door for a visit. They have to go to Wal-Mart, Lowes, Home Depot, restaurant, children’s ball game, Braves game, Hawks game. Leave me alone (Until I need you)! So we don’t make the effort.
IT’S THE ELDERS AND PREACHERS JOB TO LOOK AFTER THE CONGREGATION!
When I need to know where someone has been the last three weeks, I’ll ask the elders or preacher, they ought to know. It’s not my responsibility. Yet, there is an interesting little fact. None of the above is a valid reasons for not visiting. There are members of the church who do manage to go see the sick, the shut-in, the hurting and thank God for these good people. Remember these scriptures: Matthew 25:31-46; James 1:27; and Galatians 6:2.
