Ordained Servant: The Orthodox Presbyterian Church

That faithful pastors visit their people and care for their souls in private, as well as in their public ministries of the Word and sacraments, is the deep conviction of this author. Helping pastors fulfill that calling well is this book’s primary thrust.

The Lutheran orientation of the author and series, Lexham Ministry Guides, did not diminish but added value and interest for this Reformed minister. I found nearly everything either agreeable or plausible. Whatever our distinctives, caring pastors visiting and counseling in private homes have so much in common.

Hardcover and handbook-sized at 4.25" x 7", its 199 pages are a quick and pleasant read, inviting the occasional rereading and referencing as we devote ourselves to pastoral visitation. Brief introductory materials (a series preface, a pre-visit prayer, and a preface for this particular book) are followed by seven chapters divided into two parts, concluding with an appendix, annotated bibliography, list of works cited, and endnotes.

The two major parts are Pastoral Foundations (chs. 1–3) and Pastoral Resources (chs. 4–7). Chapter 1, “God’s Visitation: Jesus at the Center,” establishes the pastoral visitation ministry as God’s grace continuing to bless his people by Jesus’s ministry perpetuated through his ministers. We are his imitators and instruments in shepherding souls. What a profound motivation!

Chapter 2, “The Pastor’s Visitation: God’s Work as Identity,” reminds us that pastors are under-shepherds and overseers, both having implications for serving the church by visitation. In this we imitate the apostles, who visited homes to proclaim the gospel, counsel, and encourage. Historical anecdotes and the author’s personal experiences illustrate the topics addressed. The author candidly admits challenges familiar to all faithful pastors and offers suggestions for meeting them.

Chapter 3, “God’s Story in Our Story: Using Liturgy and Listening,” relates touching examples of pastoral visits, using prayers, songs, and communion from the liturgy of the gathered church, familiar to devout shut-ins named Carol and Georgia. This became a regular practice for their pastoral care, along with time spent in sympathetic listening to them. It is easy to see how comforting to them and how useful to the minister such experiences are.

Part 2, “Pastoral Resources,” begins with chapter 4, “Preparing for Pastoral Visitation: Things to Consider.” The anticipated list is well-organized. Preparation requires creating a plan to include things like a visitation list, initial contact, asking to visit, and preparing to make the visit. Sensible suggestions abound. Counsel about making the visit entails praying in the driveway, making your intentions clear, listening, and concluding with prayer and blessing. These are fleshed out in helpful ways.

Chapter 5, “Doing Pastoral Visitation: Making It Work,” blends traditional methods of communication with some particular to our technological age, including voicemails, emails, letters, notes, and social media. These made some ministry possible during the Covid-19 pandemic and still have some usefulness. Face-to-face contact is preferred and may be possible in other settings than private homes, but virtual visits are better than nothing. This chapter concludes with a challenge and counsel about training lay visitors, elders, and deacons, so that others share with a pastor in this good work, and no one is neglected.

Chapter 6, “Pastoral Visitation: Five Situations,” gently guides a pastor to do well in assisting the suffering and dying, those anxious before surgery, the lonely and isolated, the spiritually lost, and those experiencing life after a tragedy, like grief and shame. Each situation includes a section called “So, What Can Pastors Do?” including general suggestions and specific Scripture texts and hymns.

Chapter 7, “Word of Encouragement,” preaches the striking truth that, in effect, we visit Jesus (Matt. 25:36, 39, 40). Also, Jesus accompanies us in this holy labor. These are heavenly truths to remember in a good work that is sometimes daunting and difficult.

Mr. Arnold’s book breathes the very pastoral spirit it urges. This is a lovely and helpful treatment that has my warm commendation.

D. Scott Meadows is a Reformed Baptist minister serving as the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church (Reformed), in Exeter, New Hampshire. Ordained Servant Online, April, 2025.