When someone at your church\u00a0is in the hospital, who\u00a0visits them?\u00a0Is the expectation that the pastor makes the call? One sign of an equipping church is when pastoral care is provided by volunteers—not just clergy.<\/p>\n
Here’s a quick quiz\u00a0to\u00a0train the volunteers at your church who provide care to those who are hospitalized or shut-in.<\/p>\n
1. The purpose of your visit is to:<\/strong> 2. The length of the visit should be:<\/strong> 3. Hospital-room protocol should include:<\/strong> 4.\u00a0 It is always appropriate to share\u00a0a patient\u2019s condition with your church family. 5.\u00a0 If you are going to say a prayer, it is a good idea to:<\/strong> Answers<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. D<\/strong>. We need to remember why we are there—and it’s for the patient. If we ask them questions, listen to their story, and hear their concerns, everything else will take care of itself.<\/p>\n 2. ALL OF THE ABOVE.<\/strong> Normally, hospital visits should be brief. Remember: the patient is sick or injured, likely under the influence of medication, and needs to recover. This is not a social visit. But when there is a trauma or a bad diagnosis, the presence of a caregiver is sometimes required for much longer. Your presence is often sufficient and more meaningful\u00a0than what you say.<\/p>\n
\nA. show how much your church cares.
\nB. impress them with your knowledge of Scripture.
\nC. avoid the guilt of not being there when others are.
\nD. focus on the patient so they feel cared for.<\/p>\n
\nA. no more than 15 minutes, unless requested.
\nB. as long as the patient wants.
\nC. as long as the family needs support.
\nD. all of the above.<\/p>\n
\nA. checking in at the nurses’ station to make sure a visit is\u00a0appropriate and timely.
\nB. washing your hands when you enter the room and when you leave.
\nC. not sitting on the bed.
\nD. introducing yourself to others in the room.
\nE. stepping out when a doctor comes in and confidential items are discussed.
\nF.\u00a0 all of the above.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>A. True
\nB. False<\/p>\n
\nA. assume you know what the patient wants.
\nB. ask the patient what he\/she would like you to pray\u00a0for.
\nD. not pray if someone in the room isn’t\u00a0a Christ-follower.
\nE. offer to pray if the patient or family would like\u00a0you to.<\/p>\n