Rev. Bruce Janes, Minister of Visitation
Throughout my 50+ years as a pastor, I have always appreciated the opportunity to visit with and minister to people who are experiencing life changes. As part-time visitation pastor for Faith United Methodist Church, I am able to continue in this worthwhile and important ministry.
I challenge you to become a visitation minister to your friends and neighbors who might appreciate an extra personal touch. It may sound scary, but it’s really not. I’ll help you through the steps:
1) Think of someone you know who may be limited in their ability to get out and about or who is isolated from family and friends. Got someone in mind yet? Good! Now:
2) Take a few moments to connect with that person. Your gift of time, either through a phone call or a personal visit with brighten that person’s life more than any material gift you can select. Now, that wasn’t too hard, was it?
3) Want to try something a bit harder? Consider offering to take that person out somewhere—to the store, for a meal, or, perhaps, simply for a night-time drive to see the Christmas lights. What may seem like a very small gesture on your part can really brighten the day—or week—of someone else.
Other tips for sharing Christ with others:
Visits from the pastor: If you know of someone who would appreciate a visit from a pastor, please contact me at 815.235.9060. Make sure that you ask them for permission first, please.
Invite them to church: Please consider inviting someone who is inactive in the Church, or does not have a Church home, to share with you in the worship services as well as the Sunday School class. Offer to accompany that person or family to one of the services. If they don’t know a lot of people at the Church please introduce them.
Worship service tapes for shut-ins: If you know of a shut-in who would appreciate a tape of the Sunday Morning worship service at Faith Church please call Lisa at the Church office 232-6533 and she will pass the word along.
Pastor Bruce
