Family visitation plays an important part in the lives of the congregation. It is included in the duties of the office-bearers in God's vineyard. The office-bearers, as well as the families that are visited, have reservations in regard to family visitation. The responsibility lies on both sides to make family visitation as amiable as possible. We all have a commission to cooperate together.

When on family visitation, the question always arises in my mind, how does the congregation feel about it? Why do they look up against it? Why are people so often silent? I believe that there are an equal number of questions, both by office-bearers and the congregation, in regard to family visitation. In order to get into the func­tional aspects of family visitation in the congregation, both by office-bearers and the congregation, I have proposed questions for both sides.

A few years ago, at a women's guild, I made an inquiry regarding family visitation. Likewise, I also asked various office-bearers from various congregation's to express their thoughts about family visitation in writing. From the information acquired, I was enabled to derive much insight in regard to family visitation. It confirmed my convictions that awareness is urgently needed from two sides: both by office-bearers and church members.

After I had summarized the data, I not only felt that I should say how it should go, but also draw attention as to how it does go. We may not shut our eyes to reality. Once I read that many times we are like a bat who has sharp eyesight outside, but when it is inside it is blind. A basic inquiry reveals the inside story of family visitation.

Through the years much has been written and discussed about family visitation, but has there been much improvement? ...

May these articles serve to the up-building of the body of Christ, also to the strengthening of the bond between office-bearers and the congregation.

Why is Family Visitation Necessary?⤒🔗

This question is often answered, due to a background of negative experiences: "It is unnecessary, it has no benefit, and does nothing for me."

This question cannot be answered either by negative or positive experiences, neither by the ability or inability of the office-bearers. In order to give an answer to this question, we must examine what God's Word teaches us. That is the rule for our church and personal life.

Family visitation is only one of the means whereby the Lord nourishes His church. The ultimate end is the growth and prosperity of the whole congregation. This must be kept in mind. Surely, the whole body can only be good if every member of the body works in unison. The personal, indi­vidual family visitation with members of the congregation simultaneously builds up the whole congregation. If one member suffers, then all the members suffer. In Ephesians 4 we read that the Lord has given pastors and ministers for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, and for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. We read in 1 Corinthians 12:12, "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ." And in verse 14 we read, "For the body is not one member, but many." Commentators point to the nourishment that results from the unity of each member. The bond of unity of members with one another is absolutely necessary in the function of family visitation.

We are not absolved when we say, "It is not necessary for me," and may not sever ourselves from the unity of the congregation. We all have a calling to seek the spiritual welfare of the whole congregation. Family visitation is an important means to attain this. Family visitation focuses on the care of the Lord for the individual, with an eye towards the whole congregation.

Doesn't God's Word speak about the pastoral care for each individual? Does not the universal soul concern suffice in the administration of the Word and the sacraments? Is not the assembly of the congregation sufficient on the Lord's Day? Assuredly, the Lord has promised that when the congregation assembles, He will be present, will feed the poor amply, clothe His priests with salvation, and satisfy His people with joy.

The Lord will teach and instruct the congregation the way of salvation through the enlightening by and the application of the Holy Spirit. Also individuals find their foundation in the Word of God. We read in Ezekiel about the unfaithful shepherds. They feed themselves with the flesh of the flock, and clothe themselves with wool. But then the Lord declares what He will do for His sheep. He will ask for His sheep, He will seek the lost, bring back those that were scattered, and bind up that which was broken; but He will destroy the fat and the strong.

Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd. He provides care for His sheep, with His eye upon them all. He knows His sheep, and calls them all by their names. 1 Peter 2:25 states that He is "the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." The Lord uses other similitudes about the value of the soul. Luke 15:10 states, "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." The Lord Jesus preached not only for thousands, but also to individuals. He called His disciples one by one. Think also of Nicodemus, Zacchaeus, the Samaritan woman, the woman at Simeon's house, and the many wonders and glorious blessings He bestowed on many other individuals.

When the Lord sent His disciples out, they had to enter into homes, not only for hospitality, but also to bless the household. In John 21 Jesus told Peter to feed His Iambs and sheep. There are many examples in the Word of God where the disciples understood the words of Christ and fulfilled them, for example, Philip and the eunuch in Acts 8, Peter and Cornelius in Acts 10, Paul and Lydia in Acts 16. In Ephesus, Paul taught in the open and in homes.

From these and many more examples in the Bible, we see God's care for individuals. Likewise this is also the commission for the church of God, to take care of the flock. The Lord has placed office-bearers over His church to lead, guide, admonish, and comfort the congregation in its earthly journey. The church service on Sunday has a close union with family visitation. Calvin stated that he was not satisfied with a sermon only, but determined to be profitable for each one privately. He also said that Christ did not command His disciples that they should only instruct the congregation in gen­eral from the pulpit, but that they should bear the burdens of the isolated sheep, to bring back the wanderers and those that are gone astray, to comfort the smitten and the burdened, to heal the sick, to strengthen the irresolute and the weak. Calvin wrote:

Many times the general proclamation of the Word may cause people to be lethargic if they are not also admonished and personally instructed. Therefore there is no reason to excuse the negligence of pastors who, after they have preached, are slothful the rest of the time because they feel they have done their duty – as though their voice is locked up in God's house and that after the service they can be totally silent. Likewise the congregation is also admonished, if they want to be called the flock of Christ in the smallest degree, to receive their pastors as often as they visit them. They may not avoid personal instruction. There are those who want to hear the pastor in church, but do not want to be warned or rebuked in their home. They are more likely to be wolves than sheep when they reject this vital opportunity.

This language is very clear. Here we place our finger on the sore spot.

We may not forego reality. The life of office-bearers does not consist in be­ing slothful. Pastors, elders, and deacons have a full agenda. But the question is: What are we so busy with? Family visitation? It is possible in a large con­gregation for a pastor to be excused if there are several catechism classes during the week. But if there is only one during the week, it is not permis­sible for a pastor to refrain from this responsibility.

Office-bearers have a primary place in the congregation. If the majority of their labor is not involved within the congregation, then it is evident that something is drastically wrong. Then we walk on one leg in preaching and will not know where the sheep lodge. Then we are not aware of the primary purpose in the lives of the congregation; especially in the households. It would be good if office-bearers would read the installation form for office-bearers time and again. We speak so much of our shortcomings, but if it stays there, so much grows crooked. In the meantime, we are so busy with everything and anything, that the congregation drops out of sight.

Office-bearers must not only visibly and generally, but especially care privately for the congregation, as a result of the position they have received as recorded in the duties that bind them to their office. They are called servants because of the serving character of their office. In the first place, they are servants of the King. They must seek the will of the King and fulfill that. They are servants of the congregation. The congregation is not there for them, but they are there for the congregation. They must walk in the footsteps of the Master when He said, "I am among you as He that serveth." Elders and ministers are called teachers; they must teach the ways of the Lord so that the congregation will not stray.

One of the greatest reasons for the degradation of a nation is leaders neglecting their responsibilities. Acts 20:28 states, ''Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood." If we as office-bearers meditate on these words, then we must conclude with shame that we need much improvement.

Must not then all power, wisdom, and time be spent to feed the pur­chased bride bought by blood, not only in the proclamation of the Word on Sunday but also on family visita­tion? To say, "I have no time," does not excuse us.

The conclusion of what has been discussed is that the concern for the soul of an individual is commanded in God's Word. That is the obligation of those that serve as overseer; they also should have a personal and trustworthy character. This is the purpose and to the well-being of the whole body of Christ. It is not only necessary, but it is also commanded. The work of the Lord is to have a dependent, willing, obedient, and sincere attitude. Working in this manner with individuals will, with the blessing of the Lord, serve in the growth and prosperity of the congregation. As the natural body needs continual nourishment and care, so also the body of Christ.

The congregation has need of continual, spiritual care because at the present time it is not perfect, because it has to struggle with a three-headed enemy: the world, the devil, and their own corrupt heart. They are also plagued with a wandering heart that at any moment is in danger of departing from the right ways of the Lord. The congregation is a field that must continually be cared for and nourished, a flock that always needs attention, a house that must always be maintained, and as a bride that must be presented a pure virgin to her husband. The congregation must be fed with the Word of God so that it will grow and increase in knowledge and in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

From this biblical commission, family visitation is a blessing for the congre­gation. In other words, the Word is brought to the home. The congregation in this manner is wrought upon, so they will bear fruit for the King.