Homeward Bound: The Ministry of Visitation
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
James 1:27
The shepherd’s work is to visit the flock. A good shepherd tends to the sheep not only within eyesight but also goes and finds the ones at the edge of the flock. More importantly, he attends to the sheep who cannot keep up with the main herd, for they still belong to the one flock.
This work belongs not only to the shepherd, but to each one of us who bears the name of our Lord as a Christian. Therefore, we must not forget the sheep who are homebound, in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or hospitalized. Our Lord visited his people and redeemed us. We, too, are called as followers of Jesus to visit those who cannot enter the church doors.
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The Church is Its People
Although the advent of modern streaming and cheap audiovisual technology has enabled parishes to bring their Sunday services into homes, it has also become a crutch and replacement for lazy and healthy Christians to neglect or forsake the assembly of the saints, contrary to the Scripture’s command (Hebrews 10:25). Further, it has enabled believers to forsake visiting and attending church members who are now homebound, all the while thinking that because a service is broadcast through their tv or computers, those homebound saints somehow do not require the church’s company.
Far from it. As evangelicals have correctly preached for decades, the church is not the building; it is the gathering of the saints. We saints are called together every Sunday and Holy Day and subsequently dismissed to go in peace to love and serve the Lord. This includes gathering, assembling, and serving our beloved brothers and sisters in Christ who are awaiting our physical presence in their homes, hospitals, nursing homes, or assisted living facilities. The ministry of visitation is one that should be second nature to every parish, as Scripture calls upon us to care for the widow, the helpless, and the least of these. Why, we are even commended by Christ to go and visit those in prison!
Notice Your Neighbors
Therefore, faithful Christians should be more mindful to notice when an elderly member is no longer attending, and especially when they are having to move to a facility due to their health. If they cannot come to church, then the church should go to them. Or better yet, as we see the largest generation retiring and eventually having greater needs, we should pull a page out of the playbook of their youth.
Many a retiring Christian has fond memories of being bussed to church as a youth by willing church volunteers. Now we should willingly bus them to church, should they be unable to drive in their retirement. It’s a beautiful bookend and one we should spearhead as believers. After all, we have the example of the paralyzed man who could not walk to see Jesus, but his friends willingly walked him to Christ and even dug through a roof to lower him directly in front of our Savior (Luke 5:18-25)!
A Ministry for All Christians
Such work is not merely for our rectors but is a calling for every Christian. “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them,” our Savior commands. (Luke 6:31). Who among us would not desire for our pastor and also our church’s membership to come and visit us when we are unable to go to them? Parishes need not merely have membership rolls and directories, but should also organize and visit the familiar faces that have dropped off. It’s more than a ministry to the elderly or the sick; it’s a ministry to those who are on the edges of the flock.
Far too often, we tell ourselves someone is missing for a few weeks because of travel, summer vacation, work, travel ball, or they found another church when the reality is they are struggling. They need a believer’s visit, a prayer said over them, and hands laid upon them, reminding them of good news: Christ is risen.
The Need for Visitation
Visitation ministry is crucial to a healthy church that ministers from the womb to the tomb. Clergy are especially equipped to go and visit their people throughout the year. They have the convenient “excuse” to visit during Epiphany house blessings, providing communion to the sick (2019 BCP, p. 227), hearing confessions (BCP, p. 223), and providing the oft-forgotten ministry to the sick (formerly known as the visitation to the sick) (BCP, p. 225). However, visiting the member who is homebound is not limited to the clergy. Each Christian is called to bear fruit. Our catechism, To Be a Christian, explains in Question 139,
What is the work of all Christians?
All Christians are to bear witness to Christ in their lives; to care for the poor, strangers, widows, and orphans; and, according to their gifts, to serve Christ in the world and in the Church.
To Be A Christian, p. 60.
Many homebound Christians are not sick, but they need Christian fellowship. Remember how you fellowship with the body of Christ on Sundays and hopefully throughout the week? The homebound saints long for it as well. Remember how you worship together joyfully? The homebound saints yearn for the assembly with other saints. What can we do?
Regardless of whether lay or clergy, we can and are called to remember the homebound by visiting them. Start by cooking a meal, but do not merely drop it off, stay and sit a spell as we say down South. Do a puzzle, discuss a book, enjoy the televised game, and simply be a neighbor to your fellow neighbor. Visit and spend time with one who is isolated and remind them by your presence and prayers that they are one with you in Christ Jesus. Pray with them through the ancient rhythm and patterns of the Daily Office.
Adopt a Nursing Home
Furthermore, every parish should endeavor to adopt a local nursing home or assisted living facility. A group from your parish (better yet, the majority of the parish) could host a regular weekly service at the nursing home or assisted living facility. Should it be a lay-led effort, start with Morning or Evening Prayer. The familiar ebb and flow of Scripture reading, hymn singing, the Apostles’ Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer will attract many Christians from across denominations.
Let us be known for taking care not only of our own elderly, but also the elderly of other churches who may be forgotten. Finally, may such efforts be blessed by making new converts and disciples of Jesus Christ of both staff and residents who do not yet know the Good Shepherd. Such a ministry is excellent for deacons, lay readers, and every parish within driving distance to a home full of saints anxiously awaiting your ministry. If you desire to learn more on how to start, read this excellent piece from Anglican Compass and learn more at Heritage Mission and their excellent sources on how to get started.
Embracing an Ancient Ministry
The ancient ministry of visiting and caring for the widow has not retired. The call of the church, as the nation’s largest generation, the “Baby Boomers,” is retiring, beckons us with a question: how shall we heed the call of the Good Shepherd? We have sheep who need visiting, praying with, fellowshipping together, and the Gospel proclaimed. May we be known to live the Prayer Book life not merely within the walls of the parish but in everyday life and the lives of the saints who desire to pray the words of Scripture together, in person.
Image: photo by Rido, courtesy of Canva. Digitally edited by Jacob Davis.
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