I WAS SICK AND YOU VISITED ME
Ministering Hope in Time of Need
By Mike Mellor
DayOne. 96 pages. £5.00
ISBN 978 1 846 254 963
In nine short chapters, Mike Mellor aims to help the reader to see why the often neglected ministry of visiting the sick is of vital importance for the whole church.
He looks at who can, and indeed should, be involved and why. Then, drawing on his 30 years of pastoral ministry and using lots of practical examples, he fleshes out what that might look like in a number of different situations. Throughout the book Mike emphasises what a privilege and blessing it is to be involved in visiting the sick and sharing in their weakness, as we seek to bring them the comfort that only the gospel can bring.
Overflowing wisdom
In an easy-to-read style, Mike writes with warmth, humility and humour. I found this book full of pastoral wisdom that was both rightly challenging and hugely encouraging. Mike wants the reader to see that the truth of God’s Word is what those to whom we are ministering ultimately need to hear most of all, whatever their situation. Throughout the book he is reminding us that this is where our confidence needs to be. He helpfully shows that loving those we’re spending time with will mean listening to them, getting to know them and praying for them as individuals and so not in any way having a ‘one size fits all’ approach to visiting.
Personal experience
I found the examples from Mike’s own life and ministry particularly helpful in illustrating some of the points he was making, especially as they make clear that the power is in the gospel and not in us.
I am most grateful to Mike for writing this book and will be recommending it to many others in my church family and beyond.
