Pastor’s Ponderings—January 2026
To the church of God as found at Marion Salem Church, called to be saints together with those in every place who call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ: You are miracles of God’s grace and mercy!
One of my favorite holiday tunes is “Christmas in Killarney,” the Bing Crosby version of course. One of the verses goes, “The door is always open / The neighbors pay a call / And Father John, before he’s gone / Will bless the house and all.” It was not unusual in a bygone day for pastors to drop by unannounced (especially in Father John’s case, when parties were an opportunity for the parish pastor to make rounds and see the maximum number of people, whether or not he was actually invited!). Of course, the world has changed much in the intervening decades. I’ve actually been chased off of someone’s property while trying to visit them unannounced (not Salem). More times than not though, there have been those awkward conversations where I’ll call ahead and it’s obvious that now or soon is not really a good time for a visit, yet the person I am speaking with has wanted a visit. They feel caught. You can simply tell when that tension is there—it’s not good. Of course, just as bad is not visiting either.
I’ve been thinking a lot about visitations and how to increase them, both in the number of people I go to see and how often I go to see them. I was considering this when I was reminded of a teacher’s advice, “Clear boundaries and expectations are not rude, they are kind.” So with that in mind, I offer the following to help communicate with the congregation so we can improve the visitation ministry at Marion Salem Church:
1. I am busy— I am NOT too busy to visit. Like anyone, I have things that have a certain priority or steal my attention. However, if you want me to visit, I will make that a priority. I have plenty of time to work 1 or 2 visits with separate households in a week if needed.
2. Please call the church office or my cellphone. I may not be able to drop everything and come right away, however I also cannot read minds. If your need is a desire for the pastor to come see you, let me know. We’ll get it worked out within a week and likely sooner.
3. I find it rude to invite myself over to visit someone, even when that visit is the right thing to do. As I said above, there are times that I call and I know the visit is wanted, but even the timing of my call is bad to schedule it. It is far easier for you to invite me than for me to invite myself. Put me on the spot, instead of me putting you on the spot. Our culture’s expectations have changed radically in the past several decades. One of those changes has been when it is beneficial for the pastor to make a visit and when it is not.
4. Emily enjoys coming along for visits, yet her schedule is more limited than mine. When you communicate with me that you’d like Emily (or even the kids) to come along, we will make it happen – it just might require more calendar work.
During 2026, my hope is to make it around to many members’ homes, if only to join with your family in a short time of prayer consecrating your home and household to the Lord. I will leave with each family a small keepsake of the service as a reminder of your covenant with the Lord and His with you.
Blessings,
Jason
