Training Parish Visitors

Visitor training is essential to calm the anxieties of the visitor. Previous experiences of visiting programmes may not have been encouraging or helpful. Embarrassment around talking money is understandable and maybe accompanied by confusion as to why it is important to do so. The agenda is not simply money but discipleship, ministry and mission. These issues along with words such as relationships, appreciation, consultation, and spiritual growth are key words in a visiting programme all too absent from money talk in the church.

An outline for a Parish Visitor training session is offered with additional resources for running a session. The key elements in the training are listed below with some reference documents for information. Do not, however, hand out reams of paper to the potential visitors! Keep the training simple and focused on the key issues:

• Why visiting is part of Giving in Grace: Set the scene and give some Biblical principles using the theology web page or the longer discussion paper accessed from that page.
• A simple explanation of the principles of differentiation and how this will be reflected in the literature. This will help the conversation operate on the right level. [more...]
• A brief outline and summary of the financial situation of the church which has been identified in the Case Statement prepared by the planning group.
• Some guidance for visitors on how to structure a visit and use the Giving in Grace literature as a guide to the conversation. Make use of the Handout for Parish Visitors as a summary guide.
• An overview of the visitor packs. [more...]
• The need for visitors to have made their own response, thoughtfully and prayerfully before visiting others and asking them to do the same. [more...]

Ensure that all equipment and paperwork is sorted in advance. This will include an LCD and laptop or OHP and acetates for the presentations (if required), refreshments and so on. It will also be necessary to prepare any literature for the meeting (such as Why Visiting Matters, the Case Statement etc. to be sent to potential visitors in advance of the meeting.