The Preacher and His Work, Wendell Winkler (c. 1987)

  1. Do not fail here. Brethren will forgive almost everything except a calloused heart toward the suffering.
  2. How frequently should I visit? This decision depends upon:
    • The size of the town. Small towns with one hospital are easier to make frequent rounds.
    • The location of the hospital—how long does it take to get there?
    • The nature of the illness. If it is “life and death,” then more attention/visits are needed than a hip replacement.
  3. What about surgery?
    • Visit the evening before and/or the night after. Don’t visit during surgery.
    • Call and check on their condition during the day.

Quick Tips on Making Hospital Visits

  • Do not walk into the patient’s room when the door is closed without first knocking on the door or going to the supervisory desk.
  • Make visits short. No more than five minutes. They may be sick, hurting, or upset. They do not want to carry on a conversation.
  • Avoid statements like, “I knew someone who had this, and he liked to have never gotten well.”
  • Speak softly and avoid loud laughing and talking.
  • Smile and be cheerful. A gloomy disposition makes another gloomy. Be sure to leave with a compliment or a joke.
  • Never ask what the trouble of the individual is. It may be something private and create an awkward moment.
  • Be a good listener if the patient wants to discuss his illness.
  • Talk with the patient about pleasant things only, such as:
    • Their children
    • Their parents.
    • Their friends.
    • The church.
    • The weather.
    • Their hobbies.
    • The hospital (such as, “This hospital has some of the best doctors in the state;” or “This hospital has such a great reputation.”)
    • Their flowers.
    • How soon they hope to be dismissed.
  • Do not suggest a sure cure or a change in doctors or medication.
  • Avoid a funeral-like atmosphere.
  • When a person is in pain or very ill do not expect them to converse. If a spouse or other relative is in the room, speak quietly with them.
  • If it is a terminal case, step in, smile, and wish everyone well. Then stand in silence with the family or comfort the patient’s spouse by saying, “I know you’re going through the valley, and your heart is breaking…”
  • In the presence of one apparently unconscious, do not say what you do not want them to hear as they may be listening. Instead, talk in the hall.
  • Assure the patient of the continued prayers, interest, and thoughts of you and other Christians.
  • Do not wake a person—instead, leave a note and a business card.
  • Always leave a business card—get one that stands up (tent-type) and one that has the name of the church prominent. It is important to get the name of the church before people.
  • Do not engage in long conversation with other visitors.
  • Make your visit personal, not professional. Don’t ever pull out a card and see who you have to visit next.
  • Talk about the Bible or the Sunday sermon they might have missed.
  • Have some excellent scriptures to read in rooms. A few of my favorites are:
    • Romans 8:28
    • Psalm 46:1f
    • Hebrews 13:5
    • 1 Peter 5:7
    • Ephesians 3:20
    • Matthew 7:7-11
    • Psalm 61:1-4
    • Psalm 23 (if not near death)
    • Philippians 4:4-8
  • Have your wife go visit with you if she can. Let her go in first in a woman’s room. If your wife can’t go, leave the door open.
  • Make separate packets to give to Christians and non-Christians. Use a rubber stamp to get the name of the church on each piece. What to include?
    • “While you are in the hospital” (Tom Estes)
    • Include letter and first Bible Correspondence Course—self-addressed calling card
    • Inspirational literature such as “Happy Notes for Hospital Trays”—put name of the church on those.
    • One church had a ministry of 40 people visiting hospitals per month (one couple per night). They took a different handout each week.
  • Send a letter and comforting tract to the families of those who are listed in the obituary column. Two of my favorites are “Strength in Illness” and “Strength from the Scriptures”