How to Make Pastoral Visits at a Social Distance (Template Included)
Social distancing has its benefits beyond blunting the spread of Coronavirus. For pastors unable to make face-to-face visits, this is a great time to call your congregation. Over the next few weeks, it’s important to keep social contact to a minimum, but that doesn’t mean you should contact your people less.
To get you started, here’s a simple call script for you to review, edit, and use immediately. You will notice a point in the conversation where you are asking to update your parishioner’s contact information. This is a helpful step in updating the church’s records while providing pastoral care and communicating the church’s up-to-date action plan.
Happy calling!
Pastor’s Phone/Video Call Check-In Template
Hello {First Name}, it’s {Your Title} {Your Name} from {Church Name}. I’m calling to check-in on you and your family.
How are you doing? Listen and reply.
How has your routine changed lately? Listen and reply.
Do you have everything you need? Listen and reply.
As we develop our plans for responding to the CDC and state guidelines for community gatherings, I want to be sure we are communicating to you in the best way. I already have your phone number, what is your:
Email address?
Mailing address?
Social media account?
Right now, we will {Communicate your church’s plan for worship, Bible study, etc.}.
Should anything change, we will let you know via {church’s communication channels: email, website, social media, phone call, text, etc.}.
Thank you for talking with me. Before we go, I’d like to pray with you. Would that be okay?
Prayer: Our God, thank you for {First Name}. I pray that you would bless {Pronoun} today and in the days ahead. Remind {Pronoun} often that {Pronoun} is loved by {Church Name} and me. Surround {Pronoun} with your Love and care now and always. Keep {First Name} well and safe. Until we see each other again in person, shine your face and lift your countenance upon {Pronoun}, and give {Pronoun} your peace, which passes all understanding. In the name of Jesus, we pray, amen.
It was so good to talk with you. I hope you have a great rest of your day. Please contact me if you need anything.
Greenfields would love to know how your calls are going and how we can improve this template. Please send us your edits via email (craig@greenfields.consulting), on social media, or give us a call. We’re in this together…at a safe distance, of course.