VISITATION IN THE LOCAL CHURCH FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT

-

VISITATION IN THE LOCAL CHURCH FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT

An Adaptation of a Script by Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day ... the Lord God called ..., “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:8-9)

You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.  (Acts 20:20)

THE HOUR OF VISITATION – GOD IS A “VISITOR”

His is an abiding presence, but He visits to set an example for us finite humans, to visit. 

God visited them in the Garden - He came with CARE, INSTRUCTION, REBUKE & HOPE - Makes the visited decisive.

The Omniscient God does not rely on hearsay: He visited Adam, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Israel, etc.

“The habitation of God is among Humans” is the “Immanuel” that thrives in the coming of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. (Rev. 21:3, Eze. 37:27, Isa. 7:14, Mat. 28:20)

Jesus, in addition, visited Lazarus, Mary, Martha, Zacchaeus, Peter's family, etc. He insists that those who do not visit the distressed can't claim to be doing God's work. (Mat. 25:36)

THE CHURCH AND VISITATION (Acts 9, 10, 1 Co. 3:6, Ac. 20:28, 1 Pe. 5:2)

The Gospel thrives not by an impersonal broadcasting of the message, it is carried by persons who also watch over and nurture the recipients: by our sowing and watering God makes grow. 

In the calling of Paul and conversion of Cornelius, God ordered that they be visited 

Paul's visitation of the churches he planted was virtually visitation to homes, since many of the early churches were house churches.

Paul in prison desired visitation to sustain his ministry. (2 Tim. 4:9, 13, 16)

HOW WE VISIT AT THE COP ASSEMBLY NOW

Individuals visit their friends

When we hear that someone is unwell

Limited operations at the Home Cells level

Some seasoned officers and members value it as ministry

Seasonal greetings to distressed persons and selected church personalities

WHAT WE SHOULD ADD TO OUR VISITATION

Individual members should know and visit one another’s homes and workplaces to share fellowship. This affirms new members and indicates to unbelievers that we are indeed family.

The Local Presbytery should plan for members to visit or be visited periodically according to church register and registered needs, to eliminate any sense of neglect (Acts 6): 

standing visitation team preferably led by officers: for the aged and distressed

standing follow-up team preferably led by officers: for new converts and backsliders

Home Cells with rotational leadership will ensure many members are visited by many officers

ETHICS OF VISITATION: 5Ps

Purpose: the reason for the visit should be clear, not to give mixed signals to the visited

Planned: with advance notice, arrival and departure timed not to inconvenience the visited

Prayer: as much as possible should commence and close with prayer

Provision: not compulsory, and should be at the discretion of the individual or the Presbytery

Propriety: matters of confidentiality, boundaries with the other sex, courtesy to other members of the household or workplace should all be taken seriously 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THE CHRISTIAN AND THE LAW OF MOSES

-
July 3 at 7:48 AM  ·  On the Christian and the Law of Moses Since Christ has set you free from the curse of the Law, now put to death the following: 1. Fornication 2. Uncleanness 3. Passion (letting evil thoughts control you) 4. Evil desires 5. Covetousness, which is idolatry 6. Anger, or wrath 7. Malice 8. Blasphemy 9. Filthy language 10. Lies "Because of these, God's wrath comes on the disobedient, ... "For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism." (Colossians 3:5-11, 25) Observation : Whoever has been set free by Christ, whether Jew or Gentile, is now more acutely aware of the destructive nature of what the law forbids, and why God abhors them. He or she is therefore expected to uproot them from his/her system (put them to death, NOT JUST SHOW THE SURFACE LEVEL COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW). Otherwise, they should expect the same judgment that God visits on those who do them! For, th
Read more

FOR BETTER FOR WORSE FOR GOOD

-
 FOR BETTER FOR WORSE FOR GOOD Your spouse isn't in your life simply to give you blissful days. He or she is in also to improve your character by stretching it to limits no one else can.  Just like change of lesson at school, couples regularly give each other bad days without even intending to. Those are all providential too. That is why every marriage looks nicer from the outside, at least soon as the honeymoon is over. Over time, after you've learnt to trust better and let some things go, you'll understand that you've been forged for greater things.  During the 'difficult lesson' periods, consider first which aspects of your own character is being dealt with, and try and make amends, otherwise, you'll have to do remedials several times over.  You focus also on God's overall goodness to you, and make room to thank Him. Don't let your grumbling steal His honor and praise. He is the one refining us, and though He passes us through fire, He is with us
Read more

LOCKDOWN FOOD STOCKING UP

-
Image
(Economy African Cereals and Tubers Edition) 1. Gari (roasted milled cassava) ________________________________ Champion - can be prepared to be eaten with soup, stews or sugar. Stores quite well and has earned a lot of respect across West Africa. 2. Kyekyire (milled/powdered roasted dry corn) ________________________________________________ 1st Contender - can be prepared and eaten with sugar, soup or stews. Is usually in contention with tom-brown (which is not locally produced). Significantly durable, but usually priced higher than gari. 3. Akple (milled/powdered dry corn) _____________________________________ 2nd Contender - can be prepared to be eaten with soups, stews or sugar, but may need regular drying to stay healthy. People prefer to keep dry corn to transform into Kyekyire or konkonte as the need arises. 4. Kokonte (milled/powdered dry cassava) ___________________________________________ High ranking - to be prepared and eaten with soup or stews, but not
Read more