Family visitation occupies an important place in the life of the congregation. It is a part of the official task in the Lord's vineyard. With the families, as well as with the office-bearers, there are certain misgivings regarding family visitation. On both sides lies the responsibility to make family visitation take place in as beneficial a way as possible. All have the duty to work together for this.

Why is family visitation necessary?⤒🔗

Due to a background of negative experiences, this question is often answered: "It is not necessary for me. It has no benefit and does nothing for me."

This question may not and cannot be answered on the basis of negative or positive experiences, nor on the basis of the competence or incompe­tence of 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 one of the means by which the Lord cares for His church. Ultimately it concerns the growth, the thriving, and the prosperity of the entire congregation. This must be kept in view. Surely, the entire body can only be well when each member of the body is in good condition. The personal, individual family visitation with members of the congregation is thus at the same time a building up of the entire congregation. When 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, who is the Head; from whom the whole body fitly joined together and com­pacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, making increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 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 which results from the union of one member to the other. The bond of unity of members with one another is most necessary for the beneficial functioning of family visitation.

We are not absolved by saying, "It is not necessary for me." We may not sever ourselves from the unity of the congregation. All have a calling to serve to the spiritual welfare of the entire congregation, and family visitation is an important means to attain this. Family visitation focuses on the care of the Lord for the individual, with an eye upon the entire congregation. Does not God's Word speak about the pastoral care for the individual?

Should we not be satisfied with the general concern for souls which takes place in the administration of the Word and the sacraments? Is not the assembly of the congregation on the Lord's day sufficient? Assuredly, the Lord has promised that in the assembly of the congregation is His resting place; there He will abundantly bless the provision of the poor, will clothe His priests with salvation, and cause His people to shout aloud for joy.

By the enlightening and application of the Holy Spirit, the Lord will instruct and teach His church in the way of salvation. However, the care of individuals has its basis 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 the wool. But then the Lord declares what He will do for His sheep. He will search for His sheep, He will seek that which was lost, will bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken; but He will destroy the fat and the strong.

Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd. He provides for His sheep individually, with His eye upon them all. He knows His sheep and calls them by their names. In 1 Peter 5:4 He is called the Chief Shepherd of the sheep. In a number of parables the Lord speaks about the value of one soul. "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth" (Luke 15:10). We see that the Lord Jesus preached not only for many thousands, but He also directed Himself to individuals. He called His disciples one by one. Think also of Nicodemus, Zacchaeus, the Samaritan woman, and the woman at Simon's house. We think also of the many glorious miracles which He performed on individuals.

When the Lord sent His disciples out, they were to enter into homes, not only to enjoy the hospitality, but also to bless the household. In John 21, Jesus said to Peter to feed His sheep and lambs. There are many places in the Word of God where we can read that the disciples understood and carried out the words of Christ in that way. For examples, we can mention Philip and the eunuch in Acts 8, Peter and Cornelius in Acts 10, Paul and Lydia in Acts 16. In Ephesus, Paul taught publicly and in the homes. From these and many more places in the Bible, we see the Lord's care for the individual. And it is also the commission for the church of God to take heed to the flock. The Lord has placed office-bearers over His church in order to lead, guide, admonish, and comfort the congregation in the strifes of life.

The church service on Sunday is so closely connected to family visita­tion. Calvin stated that he was not satisfied with the public preaching alone, but he applied himself to be of benefit to the congregation, each member in particular. He said that Christ did not commission His disciples only to instruct the congregation in general, doing so from the pulpit, but they were to show much concern and care for the individual sheep, to bring back the wandering and straying ones, to comfort the wounded and broken ones, to heal the sick, and to strengthen the perplexed and weak ones. 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.

I think this is expressed clearly. Here we must place our finger on the sore spot. We may not overlook reality. The life of office-bearers does not consist in being slothful. Pastors, elders, and deacons have a very full agenda. But the question is: With what are we so busy? Is it with family visitation? It is possible in a large congregation for a pastor to be excused from family visitation. The catechism classes may require several evenings during the week. However, if the catechism instruction can be accomplished in one evening, it is not permissible for a pastor to be excluded from family visitation.

In the first place, office-bearers have a task in their own congregation. If the majority of their labor is outside their own congregation, then something is drastically wrong. Then we walk on one leg in preaching, and we do not know where the flock is located. Then we are not aware of what lives in the congregation, especially in the families. It would be good if office-bearers would fre­quently read the form for installation of office-bearers. We speak so much of our shortcomings, but if it remains this way, 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 care not only visibly and generally, but especially 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 fulfil 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 the 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 much improvement is needed.

Christ has purchased His church with His own blood, and must not then all power, wisdom, and time be spent to feed them, 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 who serve as overseers; their oversight should be of a personal and trustworthy character. Its purpose is the well-being of the whole body of Christ. It is not only necessary, but it is also commanded. The work is in the Lord, that is, it must be done with a dependent, willing, obedient, and sincere attitude. Working in this manner with individuals will, with the blessing of the Lord, serve to the growth and prosperity of the congregation. As the natural body needs continual nourishment and care, so also does the body of Christ.

The congregation has need of continual, spiritual care because it is not immediately perfect, and because it has to struggle with a three-headed enemy: the world, the devil, and their own corrupt hearts. They are also plagued with wandering hearts that at any moment are 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 a bride that must be prepared as a pure virgin to be presented to her husband. The congregation must be fed with the Word of God so that it may grow and increase in knowledge and in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

On the basis of this biblical commission, family visitation is a blessing for the congregation. In other words, the Word is brought home. The congregation in this manner is wrought upon, in order to bear fruit for the King.