A few weeks ago, I was at a seminar about churches, leadership, and pastors. During the presentation, the leader said, “Newcomers to churches know how much better it is to get an email from a pastor than a visit from him.”
The line got a good laugh.
But it got me wondering: Is the generational shift that dramatic? Has the paradigm changed that much?
My first District Superintendent (way back in 1990) gave me a three point message the day he met me: Visit your people. Visit your people. Visit your people.
So I did. I didn’t know any better. I believe it helped change a tiny little church in Monroe, North Carolina into a nice-sized one in nine years. (By the way, that “three point message” was the extent of the DS training I got as a new pastor, but that’s another post for another time.)
But now, in a different century and a different setting, would people really rather receive an email than a personal visit from me or from other pastors?
I don’t know. All I know is that on those occasions when I do make an old-fashioned, in-home visit with a family — like this week when I dropped by to speak with a couple about a dedication service for their baby — that’s when I feel most alive, most like a bona fide pastor of a church and proclaimer of the gospel. I also have a sneaking suspicion that people are grateful for pastoral interest, regardless of what generation they come from.
Maybe I’m just old-fashioned.
But maybe not.
There are 3 comments
You are NOT old fashioned! Face time is critical. I know what impressed me was your ability to recall names because I know how hard that is for most people. The other thing that matters is personal notes which a friend of ours still mentions from time to time. Keep up the great work! -Ben S.
As for our house, it is always open for visits. I believe that a personal visit is much more powerful and is a better display of true concern and love than any email would ever be. How much time and effort is spent on an email as compared to a personal visit? I think the majority of people want to know that they are important enough to have time and effort spent on their behalf. I also found the speaker’s comment confusing and thought provoking.
The reality of the situation is that GSUMC has enjoyed significant growth. As the flock has grown, so have the demands on the Pastoral staff. Although an e-mail is not nearly as personal as a face-to-face visit, it is communication and it does tell the person that you were thinking about them.
It would seem to me that as a matter of practicality, you will be forced to rely on technology for a portion of your visitation work as well as the preferred face-to-face visits.