{"id":32203,"date":"2022-09-10T16:00:29","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/3-objectives-in-hospital-visitation\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T16:00:29","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:00:29","slug":"3-objectives-in-hospital-visitation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/3-objectives-in-hospital-visitation\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Objectives in Hospital Visitation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Rob Hurtgen<\/em><\/p>\n

I used to dread going on hospital visitation.<\/p>\n

None of my training in college or seminary prepared me for that aspect of ministry. (To be fair to the great institutions I received my education from, I didn’t expect to be pastoring, so my training didn\u2019t include pastoral care components.)<\/p>\n

When I first started going on hospital visits, I didn\u2019t know what to say, where to look, or what to do. Thankfully, God not only placed some people in my life who shared some practical shepherding skills, but He also allowed me to practice ministry with some very patient church members.<\/p>\n

Over time, not only has my attitude changed towards hospital visitations, but I\u2019ve also learned some helpful ways to shepherd in that environment.<\/p>\n

Shepherding the church God has called you to in moments of medical care includes the objectives of caring, sharing, and praying.<\/p>\n

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1. Caring<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Hospital visitations create an opportunity to shepherd people by caring for them through times of hurt and celebration.<\/p>\n

The tone of your visit and the care you give will change depending upon the reason your church member is there. Gathering a general knowledge of why they\u2019re in the hospital before arriving will shape the way you approach your care.<\/p>\n

You may care for a family who\u2019s been devastated by a tragic accident. Or you may be rejoicing with a church member whose cancer has suddenly vanished. You may visit a formerly infertile couple who\u2019re now welcoming a newborn baby.<\/p>\n

Your practical pastoral care changes for each situation.<\/p>\n

To provide care, you also need to focus your attention on the person or the family you\u2019re at the hospital to see. Before you enter into the hospital room, remove or silence your phone to avoid being distracted by it.<\/p>\n

Talk to them and ask about their condition. Whatever you do, give the family your undivided attention.<\/p>\n

You also show care by following hospital protocol. Use the hand sanitizer before entering the room and after you leave. If there are care procedures and policies established, follow them. If the hospital makes requirements of ministers, honor them.<\/p>\n

Your first objective in conducting a hospital visitation is to show you care<\/em>.<\/p>\n

2. Sharing<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The second objective for hospital visitation is to share. Share Scripture, an encouraging word, an appropriate laugh, or even a tear. \u201cRejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep\u201d (Romans 12:15).<\/p>\n

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See also  Why Pastors Must Acknowledge Their Own Needs<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Share life but share briefly. Being in the hospital is exhausting. When my wife and I were at the hospital awaiting the arrival of one of our children, one of our deacons and his wife came to visit us.<\/p>\n

We loved this couple, were happy to see them, and were glad to know they cared, but they overstayed their welcome. This made an uncomfortable situation even more awkward.<\/p>\n

The length of your stay doesn\u2019t communicate the depth of your love. Of course, circumstances like a life-or-death surgery or a situation where someone is passing away may change your response, but in a typical hospital visitation, plan to share briefly<\/em>.<\/p>\n

3. Praying<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The third objective in a hospital visitation is to pray. Always pray with those you visit<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Pray for them and their family but also take the opportunity to pray for their care providers. Not only are doctors and nurses attending to their patients\u2019 needs, but so are nutritionist and custodians.<\/p>\n

Your time of prayer is also a time to pray for purpose in their hospital stay. Pray they\u2019ll seek an opportunity to share their faith with those who are caring for them.<\/p>\n

If they\u2019re dealing with hardship, grasp the promises of the Scriptures that God can work good even through their trials (Romans 8:28).<\/p>\n

You might even pray a blessing over them: \u201cMay the Lord bless you and protect you; may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace\u201d (Deuteronomy 6:24-26).<\/p>\n

There are other parts of pastoral ministry I enjoy more than making hospital visits. But I don\u2019t dread them any longer.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve grown to love my people through them. Through the life and death situations arising from hospital visitations, I\u2019ve learned how practical theology is in everyday life.<\/p>\n

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Rob Hurtgen<\/h2>\n

@robhurtgen<\/p>\n

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Rob lives in Chillicothe, Mo., with his wife Shawn and their five kids. He’s the pastor of First Baptist Church. He also blogs at\u00a0robhurtgen.wordpress.com.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n