Flock Book
The Apostle Paul Spent Years Travelling, and His Churches Were Never Out of His Mind. He Wrote from a Distance, and His Letters Are Full of Names.
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy;
Philippians 1:3-4 (KJV)
A Pastor on a Mission Trip Today Has Far More Ways to Stay Close Than Paul Ever Had. A Phone in Your Pocket Can Reach a Family Thousands of Miles Away, if You Know Who to Call and When.
Before You Leave
- Tell the Church When You Are Going, Why, and Who to Call While You Are Gone.
- Name One Leader to Act For You, and Make Sure They Have What They Need.
- Look at the Calendar For the Weeks Ahead: Birthdays, Anniversaries, Visits and Events.
- Visit Anyone Who Is Seriously Ill, or Arrange For Someone Else to Do So.
While You Are Away
Choose One Small Habit, and Keep It. Spend Ten Minutes Each Morning on Your Church Before the Day’s Work Begins:
- Send a Message to Everyone With a Special Day Today.
- Call One Family, Even For Just Two Minutes.
- Pray For the People on Your List by Name.
Think of What That Means to a Member of Your Church. Their Pastor Is on the Other Side of the World, and Still Remembered Their Birthday. A Wish from Far Away Can Mean Even More Than a Wish from Nearby.
Trust Your Team
Being Away Is Also a Good Test of Your Team. Let Them Make the Hospital Visits and Do the Follow-up Calls. Do Not Take Back Every Decision by Phone. When You Come Home, You May Find Leaders Who Have Grown in Your Absence.
Remember the Time Difference
Before You Make a Call, Check What Time It Is at Home. A Message Can Wait Until Morning. A Call at 3 am Can Frighten a Family, Especially an Elderly One.
When You Come Back
Tell the Church What God Did on Your Journey, and Thank Those Who Carried the Work. Then Ask Your Team What Happened While You Were Gone, and Go First to Anyone Who Has Had a Hard Time.
How Flock Book Helps
Your Church Comes With You in Your Pocket. The Morning Brief Shows Who to Wish and Who to Call Today, Wherever You Are, and Your Team Can See the Same Records and Handle the Visits at Home.
