The Blessings of Fellowship

Abstract

Philip E. Zarling’s essay outlines a practical framework for implementing a member visitation program within a congregation, emphasizing the spiritual value of personal contact and pastoral care. Using the acronym R.U.S.H. (Recognize, Understand, Set up, Habit), Zarling guides readers through four key stages: establishing the need for visitation, preparing for specific visits, conducting visits with sincerity and spiritual focus, and fostering a culture where visitation becomes habitual. He stresses the importance of grounding the program in Scripture, assigning responsibility, and maintaining accountability through reporting. The essay also addresses common challenges, such as member reluctance and scheduling difficulties, and offers strategies for training lay visitors. Ultimately, Zarling connects visitation to the church’s mission of nurturing faith and encouraging one another in the hope of eternal life. Abstract prepared with the assistance of Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4).