In some churches, only special groups, such as new members, receive pastoral calls. Frequently, large churches assign one minister, or a team of lay ministers, to handle regular house calls on all parishioners. Whatever your system, here are special ideas to consider for making home visitation a telling ministry.

Pastoral calling in the home has been a venerable institution In many instances, it's become a stereotype. One pictures a kindly, gray-haired shepherd of the flock, with Bible clutched firmly to chest, knocking on the cottage door of one of the faithful. His gentle summons is answered by a cheerful-looking matron holding a happy baby in one arm and her other wrapped lovingly around the three-year-old hugging her knees. "Why, Reverend Blissful, how wonderful to see you! Please come in; I've just taken a coffee cake out of the oven. I know you'll want to sample it."

Such bucolic visions were floating in my head when, fresh out of seminary, I rang the doorbell of a home belonging to ...