Why Every Student Pastor Needs To Be Involved In Regular Hospital Visitation
I know...it's a long title, and not really a topic most people in student ministry talk about, but I think it is a very important part of ministry. In today's church, hospital ministry is not seen as that important. I know a large number of pastors and churches that do not do any kind of regular hospital visitation or ministry. There are a number of reasons people don't do hospital visitation, but I am not going into that. The purpose of this blog is to share why I think we should be involved in hospital visitation. Let me share with you how we at First Baptist handle hospital ministry. Each of us pastors have an assigned visitation day (Monday through Friday; my day happens to be Friday). Every morning, our receptionist calls the local hospitals to find out if there are any people from our church there (NOTE: on most hospital admission forms, there is a place to indicate religious affiliation [or church]). Also, we have developed a culture where people know that they can call the church office and let us know about upcoming surgeries or if they are going in to the hospital. Our receptionist then compiles a list and emails it to each of us every day. That way we can track who has been in and how long. She will note what hospital, the phone number, the room number, and what the ailment is (if known).We also show up for surgeries and births, although we will not be a part of the delivery! Our pastor, Dr. Guy Sanders III, is the best at this, as many times he will beat us to the hospital or surgery center. We also will show up after there is a death.
That is the how, now for the why. First reason: everyone HATES being in the hospital. It usually means that they are sick or having a surgery, but whatever the case, it is not fun. When a familiar face shows up just to talk and pray together, it can make their day. There are many times I show up that members of the sick person's Sunday School class have already been there and are taking care of them. One time, I walked in to find 9 other people already there. Needless to say, the room was pretty crowded. But the sick person was so uplifted and blessed.
Second reason: it connects the Student Pastor with more of the church than just the teens. So many times, we can get so focused in on student ministry, that we don't know many people who are not connected with it. Not everyone is going to have a son or daughter or grandson or granddaughter in student ministry, so this will actually broaden your ministry. It will endear you to the people you visit, and give you more of a connection with them.
Third reason: it is a ministry that doesn't cost anything except time. It doesn't take anything out of the budget, it doesn't take a staff meeting of planning to do. It just takes our time and our effort to reach out and meet some real needs in peoples lives.
Fourth reason: it will help you to mature spiritually and emotionally. Hospital visitation will force you to face things that we may not face too often in student ministry. One of the biggest things is death. Even though many teens die each year, and sometimes we deal with one who has a chronic illness, we don't generally deal with death on a regular basis. Now, I don't enjoy talking with people who are about to die, and I don't enjoy dealing with the families of those who are about to die. I'm not a glutton for punishment or some morbid guy who wants to hang out with those who are dying. But shouldn't someone be there for them? If not us, then who? Those who are leading in ministry at the church should be the ones who are the "first responders".
To be honest, I still struggle to find words to share with someone at death's door. I still feel inadequate to offer any consolation. But sometimes, they don't need a sermon. They need someone to be there. Today, I was with a lady who is being taken off of life support as I am typing this. I was with her daughter and son-in-law for an hour and fifteen minutes. For 45 minutes, I didn't say anything. There wasn't anything for me to say. They didn't need my cleverly crafted words, or analogies or anything like that. They just needed me to be there. Finally, after about 15 minutes of dead silence, the daughter started asking me questions. Then, we talked and I prayed with her.
Sometimes, hospital visits are more fun and joyous, like when you visit a new mom or someone who is about to give birth. These are occasions for happiness and celebration. But no matter the reason, the visit is important, and can be incredibly meaningful for the person who you visit.
Each visit does not have to be long. The average time of my visits is 6 minutes. Remember, the person is not in the hospital to talk. The person is there to get better. I show up, ask some questions, pray with them and leave. Some visits, like the one I described earlier, will take longer just because of their nature.
Some last few thoughts and tips. Every hospital has a chaplain service. Most hospitals have some kind of clergy program as well. I recommend registering with that service and signing in each time you go to the hospital. This will also give you good rapport with the hospital staff. Most hospitals will give you a Clergy ID badge with your picture. This will help as you move about and talk with doctors and nurses and patients.
I also suggest taking a teen with you on your visits during the summer. This will show them a different side of ministry and will encourage the patient as well. Be careful who you pick, and make sure that you have briefed them on what to expect. I would not take them to a terminal patient the first time out. Also, I would advise only taking a male student with you, so as to not be alone with a member of the opposite gender. Be prepared for possible ministry with roommates of those you are going to visit. In most cases, they are unsaved, and you might have an opportunity to share the Gospel with them.
If your church staff does not do regular hospital visitation, talk to your pastor and start it. Plan out who is going on which day and stick to the schedule. Most importantly, get out there and visit those who are sick and needy and share God's love with them.
Awesome Advice
July 23, 2010 2:27 pm By Jeremy Blanton
Wow Brad!
Awesome advice man! I just emailed this onto my dad as he is the administrator at our church & told him he needs to start implementing this gameplan with the staff!
Jer