It seems that the door bells are not being rung as often these days. The preacher cum house caller model of pastoral leadership is fading. Increasing costs, aspirations for increased levels of comfort and equipment in the home and the greater opportunity for wives and mothers to pursue careers all combine to make day time contact with families very difficult.
Evenings become the happy hunting ground for the convenors of meetings.
In these days of sexual harassment charges, pastors are understandably cautious about solo visits. There is a heightened awareness of the need to be circumspect. Some pastors deal with this by visiting with their spouses where possible. Others make use of the church office where people are often coming and going. Increased church attendances mean that pastors can no longer know each individual member intimately.