Ministry of the word - Taylor - XI - Lecture 11

Required reading
Ministry of the word by William Taylor (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Lecture XI (The pastorate and pastoral visitation).

My summary
Today we are taught about the pastorate and pastoral visitation.

Firstly Taylor gives counsel on the pastorate in general, particularly what not to do:
(i) do not attempt to do too much at the outset of your ministry;
(ii) do not hang everything round your own neck - divide the labour;
(iii) do not attempt to have everything done in your own particular way.

Then we are given advice on pastoral visitation.  Taylor advises that your first care should be for those who are suffering.  You should:
(i) let your sympathy be real;
(ii) console with the words of Scripture;
(iii) cultivate the gentleness of your Master;
(iv) realise the responsibility if their illness be mortal.

Then keeping to the subject of visitation, Taylor discusses systematic visitation of the church.  He suggests:
(i) shunning all stiffness and formality;
(ii) being natural and affable;
(iii) cultivating general intelligence.

What grabbed me
Always good to be reminded about the positive benefits of pastoral visitation: 'You will make a great mistake, therefore, if you undervalue the visitation of your people. The pulpit is your throne, no doubt ; but then a throne is stable only when it rests on the affections of the people, and to get their affections you must visit them in their dwellings. I used to look upon my visitation as a dreadful drudgery, but it has now become my joy; so that whenever I am tempted to despond I sally forth to visit my flock ; and as I look sadly back upon those early years in which I had no such gladness, I am earnestly desirous to save you from blundering as I did. Begin this work as your pastorate begins. If you cannot fully master your pulpit preparations at first, so as to secure the time needful for systematic visitation, yet never omit the care of the sick and the afflicted ; and at the earliest possible moment enter upon the regular prosecution of this important department of your labors. It will "mellow and fatten" the roots of your own character. It will feed our public prayers. It will furnish many themes and suggestions for your pulpit teachings. It will cheer you on in a thousand ways in your arduous exertions, and as the years revolve you will come to be regarded almost as a member of every family, and be rewarded by the confidence and affection of the flock as a whole. On that you may always rest as securely as the swimmer does upon the wave; and your character among your people will add an irresistible ingredient to the eloquence of your speech.'

Pastoral visitation should be a joy, not a chore.

Next week's reading
Read Lecture XII (The relation of the pulpit to present questions).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.