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A Biblical Practice of Growth
How can we promote Biblical growth in accepting new members?
Pastoral Visitation
- In the Ancient Near East, shepherds used to lay down and sleep
in the doorway to the sheep pen at night so that any nocturnal intruder would
have to get past him to get to the sheep. Part of a pastor's responsibility
is to guard the door of the sheep pen so that wolves are not given entrance.
- One of the ways a pastor can exercise this guarding responsibility
is to interview all new members about their understanding of the Gospel and
about their own testimony of becoming and being a Christian.
- Another way to exercise this responsibility is for the pastor,
assisted by the other elders, to engage in periodic visitation with each member
of the church. Here are some good questions to use.
- In what particular way have you grown in your understanding
of the Christian life since we last met?
- In what particular way have you grown in your practice of the
Christian life since we last met?
- In what particular way do you feel that you need instruction?
- In what particular way are you disappointed in your own pursuit
of holiness?
- How, specifically, can I pray for you?
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