Family Visitation (3): Its Character

Family visitation is the work of the office-bearers. There is a distinction between their duties and the duties of believers. The duty of believers is to seek the welfare of one another. If one member suffers, all members suffer. We must carry one another’s burdens, both in word, deed, and prayer because we are an entity. The care, love, and empathy of office-bearers are a special responsibility. Family visitation is an important aspect of the church, delegated by the Holy Spirit. Office-bearers are not goodwill ambassadors, but they are sent in the name of the Lord, to serve for the welfare of the congregation. It is the administration of the kingly office, to shut the kingdom of heaven to unbelievers, and to open it for believers. It is also a prophetical office for teaching and instructing to restore wanderers and educating the ignorant. It is a priestly office for the personal welfare of souls, to heal the sick, to comfort the sorrowful, and to bind up the brokenhearted. By these means the spiritual well-being of the congregation must be advanced.

Family visitation is not allied with other visitations, such as childbirth, illness, bereavement, etc. One can be faithful in these visitations and still be neglectful regarding family visitation. Family visitation is directly connected with the preaching of the Word. It is the application of the Word to families. Preaching on the Lord’s Day is not only a declaration of soul experiences in God’s people but also a message for the congregation from Christ. He sends His servants with the urgency of the gospel and the necessity of conversion. In the preaching of the Word, the kingdom of heaven is opened for all who believe, and closed for all those who will not believe. The message of ministers is, “We pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” It is not a message that we acknowledge and then lay aside. We must respond, because no one can remain neutral.

Family visitation is a continuation of the sermons that we hear on Sunday, whether they are preached or read. It is the message itself that is important. It is not implied that the message always results in faith and conversion. In that respect we must say with sorrow, “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?” (Isa. 53:1). No one leaves the church as he entered it. If we are not humbled under the Word, then we are disobedient to it. Christ with open arms and good intentions urges all who are weary and heavy laden to come unto Him for rest. And then, what is the reply? Everyone who hears the Word of God reacts to it, some with indifference and mockery, or some with convictions that vanish as a morning cloud. Others chide; some say it was too shallow, others that it was too severe. Some listen superficially with wandering thoughts. Others are buying and selling with their thoughts. But there are also those that hunger and thirst after the righteousness of Christ. There are also those who feel as broken reeds and smoking flax, desiring to hear if there is grace for them. Those who relish the Word (for whom it is sweeter than honey and the honeycomb) are instructed in the way of salvation through Jesus Christ. And thus the congregation goes home. It is like an acre of land sown with good seed. And God’s Word will not return unto Him void, but it will accomplish that which He pleases (Isa. 55:11).

The sown seed can be displaced by the anxieties of this life. Some seed falls on stony ground, some falls between the thorns, and some falls on well-prepared soil. The Lord sends His servants to inquire what transpires with the sown seed, and to care for and nourish the prospering seed so that weeds do not get the upper hand. If we neglect family visitation, we lose connection with the preaching; this retards growth and results in so many complaints about a meager crop.

The framework for the sermon must take place in the study, but the fulfilling of the body, the substance of the sermon, is obtained from family visitation. God’s servants are committed to watch over and build God’s church. They must not forget that they are servants of the King and must follow in His footsteps.

The character of family visitation is also a great responsibility for the congregation. They must receive office bearers as servants of Christ, since they do not come in their own name but in Christ’s Name. The family should be honest with the office-bearers in expressing their general and spiritual concerns. This also includes young people and children. They should be honest as to how the preached Word affects them, what it means to them, also if it means nothing, and they are going to church against their will. Don’t let the conversation be about frivolous matters. They must faithfully frequent the preached Word. Let that be the focus of the conversation between officebearers and households. If we have family visitation once a year, and if we have the privilege of attending church fifty-two Sundays at two or three services, then there is sufficient matter for conversation. And if not, then all should be ashamed that the services were not profitable. This should cause penitence and sorrow for both parties, and prayer should surge from the heart that the Lord will not remember our iniquities.

Remember not, O God,

The sins of long ago;

In tender mercy visit us,

Distressed and humbled low.

— Psalter 217:1

Then the office-bearers will not blame the hearers nor the hearers the office-bearers, but both be guilty regarding God’s faithfulness and love.

Rev. H. Hofman is pastor of the Netherlands Reformed congregation of Chilliwack, British Columbia.

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