1

THE ASSIMILATION OF NEWCOMERS

INTO THE LOCAL CHURCH

A Thesis

Presented to

the Faculty of the

Piedmont Baptist College – Graduate Division

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree

Master of Arts

by

Roger Baker

May 2000
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INTRODUCTION

The average church growth in America today has either plateaued or is in

decline. One of the major reasons for such a decline is the failure to properly

minister to the newcomers who attend services. The goal of this paper will be to

identify the problem, discover the biblical mandate, and develop a systematic

strategy for instructing the church and assimilating the newcomer into the life of the

local Baptist Church from the point of initial contact to the point of active,

participating membership.

For a number of years, the writer of this paper has been burdened and often

frustrated by his own failure and the failure of the local church he pastors to

effectively reach the newcomer or first time attender. Even though this church has

experienced an average of 350-400 visitors per year for the past several years, only

a small portion of these have been reached (approximately 10 percent) and become

active, involved members of the church. This is a common problem in the average

church today.

The question that will be answered in this paper is: How can churches

respond to this dilemma in a biblical way in order to reach more people for Christ

and keep them active in the local church? It is important to identify the reason for

the problem, find a biblical mandate to solve this problem, and implement a strategy

within the local church to address and meet this need.

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In order to identify why people do not remain active in church, one must first

consider that often people who go to church are unbelievers. Many of these people

are there at the invitation of friends, family, or associates. Some are there because

they are seeking meaning in life, answers to life’s questions, or healing for the hurts

of life. The truth of the matter is that they often find no help and no place of refuge in

these churches. Certainly all of the problems cannot be blamed upon the local

church, but the church must accept its responsibilities in this area. The Church has

a mandate to reach the “harvest” (Mt. 9:35-38). This not only includes those who

live in foreign lands but certainly would include that part of the harvest God brings

into local assemblies, including the first time attender or newcomer. The church’s

conduct and its response to them can have a great bearing on whether or not they

will eventually become believers and productive members of Christ’s church. One

verse in particular supports the fact that unbelievers attended the services of the

early church and that the church’s behavior could have a good or an adverse effect

upon the spiritual well-being of the unbeliever. It states:

If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all
speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or
unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and
there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced
of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made
manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report
that God is in you of a truth. (1 Cor. 14:23-25, emphasis added)

This verse shows that a certain behavior on the part of the church would lead to an

unbeliever concluding that the members of the congregation were “mad.” Another
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behavior could lead to an unbeliever being convicted and saved. The difference

seems not to be an issue with the unbeliever, but an issue with the local assembly.

Because of this there is a great need to establish methods and procedures

for reaching the newcomer (saved or lost) and ultimately seeing them become

mature, productive members of the church. The pastor-teacher must inform, train,

and equip the saints for the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:11-16) so they can follow

biblical guidance in assimilating the newcomer into the local church. This need has

resulted in extensive research in the area of church growth and the outcome of this

study reveals the necessity for this problem to be addressed in this paper. Though

there is much information in the area of assimilation and church growth, several

problems are evident.

The first problem that needs to be discussed is that much of the material on

assimilation begins with the process of incorporating new members into the life of

the church but fails to show how to bring the newcomer (even unbelievers) to the

point of either conversion or membership. In doing so, most studies only deal with

about 10 percent of all the newcomers who come to our churches, since only about

10 percent ever become members. This paper will deal with how to begin the

assimilation process for 100 percent of those who are newcomers to the local

church.

The second problem is that much of the material available in this area is

written from a perspective that most fundamental Baptists could not endorse. The
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majority of the leading authors in this area are either of a charismatic persuasion or

a liberal Protestant viewpoint. Even some of the Baptist writers seem to have a

new evangelical approach – “I’ll do anything to reach people.” There are good works

available on assimilation that are biblical in their approach, but an examination of

the church growth literature today (books, journals, magazines, unpublished theses

and dissertations) will reveal an almost total void of literature from Independent

Baptists.

The third problem is that the overwhelming amount of church growth

literature, though it has many good and biblical ideas, ignores several key factors

that are readily seen in the early church in the Book of Acts. The place that

preaching and prayer had in the growth of the early church are not seen by modern

day church growth experts as major factors that contribute to the growth and

assimilation of newcomers into the local church.

All of the previous discussion leads to the key word in this paper which is

assimilation. The basic meaning of the word is to make similar. When speaking of

food and nourishment, the idea is that of taking in food and absorbing it into the

body, until it becomes an actual part of the body. When speaking sociological,

assimilation refers to a people being absorbed into a particular culture and

becoming like the people of that culture. Church growth experts have adapted this

word to discuss the process whereby a person becomes a part of a local church.

Joe Heck is one such expert that describes what takes place when a person

is assimilated into the local church. He states:

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Assimilation has taken place when a person develops a sense of belonging.
New members are assimilated when they are absorbed into the life of the
church. The word assimilate means to make similar. New members are
assimilated when they have similar beliefs, similar feelings of belonging and
similar patterns of behavior as do the long-time members of the congregation.1

Steve Burkum gives an understanding of the assimilation process. He says;

“An individual is assimilated into a church when he strongly identifies with the goals,

purpose, practices and life of that church and claims not only to belong to that

church, but that the church belongs to him. Assimilation has not taken place unless

a firm sense of ownership has been created within the new member.”2 This would

result in the assimilated member remaining in the church and not dropping out or

becoming inactive. Also, this would result in the long term objective of newcomers

being integrated into the life of the church so that each one would have a sense of

belonging, significant friendships, spiritual nurturing and avenues for service. In

order to understand this bond, the terms newcomer and new member must now be

defined.

The newcomer is the person, regardless of his or her relationship to

Christ, who visits the church for either the first time or the first few times. They are

new to the church by way of attending a public worship service or function. The

word visitor will also be used interchangeably with newcomer.

1 Joel D. Heck, New Member Assimilation: Practical Prevention of Backdoor

Loss through Frontdoor Care (St. Louis: Concordia, 1988) p.12
2
Steven K. Burkum, “ACT – Assimilating New Members into the Local
Church,” M.A. thesis, Cincinnati Bible Seminary, 1990, p. 5.
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A new member is a person who has joined the church by baptism, by

statement of their faith, or by transfer of letter who previously had no affiliation with

the church they joined. They have willingly fulfilled the church’s constitutional

guidelines for membership.

How and why these people who have fulfilled membership guidelines enter

and leave a church results in an assimilation problem. These people enter what is

called the front door which will be used to describe the means whereby people enter

into the local church’s fellowship and/or membership.

On the other hand, the phrase back door will be used to describe the way

people leave a church, especially because of the neglect of newcomers and new

members by the local church. This leads to the newcomer and new member

becoming inactive and even leaving the church completely. The result is that they

are no longer an active, participating part of the local church.

As discussed, the Great Commission makes it clear that the church is to go

into the world in order to reach people with the gospel. McIntosh and Martin present
two major questions every church should ask. The first deals with how to develop
strategies that will bring more people in the front door. The second deals with
developing strategies that will keep people from leaving through the back door.
Unless people come to the local church, there is no possibility they can be
assimilated into the church. No person ever becomes a member who was not first a
visitor. Even if the winning of them took place outside the church, they must come to
the church to be assimilated. Once they arrive they are considered a newcomer. 3

This paper will emphasize McIntosh’s and Martin’s second question. This

paper will not deal with evangelism outside the local church nor the means of

getting people to attend the local church for the first time. This is a great need

McIntosh and Glen Martin, Finding Them, Keeping Them (Nashville:

3

Broadman, 1992), p. 13.

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and is certainly a responsibility of the church, but this paper will focus upon what

happens once they have come to the church.

No person can be ultimately assimilated into the local church until they first

become a Christian and are placed into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. Since

salvation is a part of the overall process, then the actual assimilation process begins

before salvation. As stated earlier, this assimilation process is a part of the Great

Commission that was given to the church by our Lord Jesus Christ (Mt. 28:19-20).

Churches have the responsibility to assimilate newcomers and new members into

the church. These newcomers and new members will not usually be assimilated on

their own. It will require the assistance of the existing members of the congregation.

This requires a deliberate strategy and will not happen automatically. Assimilation is

an absolute necessity if the church expects to experience consistent, biblical church

growth.

The King James Version of the Bible will be used throughout this paper

unless otherwise noted.

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CHAPTER ONE

MANIFESTING THE PROBLEM

The Dilemma Churches Face

According to Leith Anderson, the majority of churches in America are either

plateaued or either in decline.4 Since the very command left by our Lord Jesus

Christ to reach a lost world involves church growth (cf. Book of Acts) the church

must be concerned about this failure to grow. For many years church growth

experts have been examining the reasons for a lack of growth as well as church

growth principles. Two points that must be considered are how churches grow and

how churches lose members.

Gary McIntosh and Glen Martin have found there are three basic ways people

enter into a church, which results in potential growth. These ways are:

1. Biological growth – children are born to the members who grow up

make professions and remain in the church. This accounts for about
2 1/2 percent of the average church attendance each year.

2. Transfer growth – this growth results as people from other churches

move, get disheartened with the former church and relocate to another
church. This accounts for about 8 percent of the average church’s
attendance each year.

4 Leith Anderson, Dying for Change (Minneapolis: Bethany, 1990), p. 46.

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3. Conversion growth – this involves people who hear the gospel, respond in
faith and join the church. This accounts for about 5 percent of the average
church’s attendance each year.5

As shown, the typical potential growth of the average church in one year would

be about fifteen and one half percent. Of a typical church of 200 the potential

increase would be about thirty one additions per year. Many churches would be

happy with this type result. The problem lies in the fact that people leave churches

each year. McIntosh and Martin also state the typical church of 200 will lose an

average of 10 percent per year through the following:

1. Death – approximately 2 percent of the average worship attendance each

year will die.
2. Transfer – this involves about 3 percent of the average worship
attendance each year.
3. Reversion – about 5 percent of the average worship attendance will drift
away each year but never attend or join another church.6

This would result in an average loss each year of twenty people. When the gains

and losses are balanced, the church grows very little, approximately 5 percent at

best. Since these are average figures and some churches are growing rapidly, this

leaves many churches either plateaued or in decline.

Another expert, John Stott, states: “Church growth is the building of the church

primarily through evangelism. While church growth writers of our era speak of other

kinds of growth (e.g. transfer growth and biological growth), the Gospel writer Luke

is concerned with the growth of the church that comes from the making

5 Gary McIntosh and Glen Martin, Finding Them, Keeping Them, p. 9.

6 Ibid.
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of new disciples.”7 The fact is that 95 percent of all Christians are barren and have

either not won anyone to the Lord or have not won anyone in many years.8

The above problem deals with people who actually attend and become

members of the church. Another even greater problem that affects church growth

is the great host of newcomers who come but never become active and productive

members of the church. The average Independent Baptist Church finds itself

mirroring the same statistics as Protestant denomination churches. Even those

churches that are aggressively seeking to reach the lost are not experiencing much

growth. Some churches boast of thousands of professions year after year, yet their

average attendance only reflects a small percent of this potential growth. Even

though the church, such as the one the writer pastors, may have 300-400 visitors

per year, yet 85-90 percent of them never become an active part of the church (250-

350 never become a part of the church). Year after year many people are coming to

churches, and making professions of faith but few are continuing to become active,

long-term, and productive members of the local church. It is estimated that 80

percent of all churches in America retain less than 10 percent of their first-time

attenders.9 God is allowing many people to attend churches but the churches are

not doing a very good job of winning and retaining them.

7 John Stott, The Spirit, The Church, and the World (Downer’s Grove, Illinois:
Inter Varsity, 1990), p. 59.
8 Ken Houts, Care Ministry Team Leader Manual (Prairie Village, Kansas:

Kendall D. Houts Ministries, 1998), p. 16.

9 Ibid.
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This problem must be examined with the idea of finding a solution to the

great host of people who visit Baptist Churches but who never become a real

working part. For some reason these newcomers are never assimilated into the

local church. While many decisions may be made, few real disciples are resulting.

The result is little or no church growth.

The method for evaluating the success of any evangelistic effort must be to

determine how many of those making a Christian profession (decision) have

become an active part of the church (assimilation). The issue is not how many

decisions were made or even how many were baptized and joined the church, but

how many have become productive, involved disciples. Another way of evaluating

the success of a church’s assimilation effort is to determine how many first-time

visitors have come to the church and how many of these have remained to become

active members of the church.

People are being reached and coming into the church through the front door

while at the same time others who have already been reached are leaving through

the back door and becoming inactive. Alan Harre says, “Without assimilation the

congregation will find that its open doors only lead to backdoors through which new

members quickly exit.”10 Many churches are adding members; yet the church is not

growing. All of the growth is offset and canceled by those who are dropping

10 Alan Harre, Close the Back Door (St. Louis: Concordia, 1984), p. 32.
 13

out and leaving through the backdoor. Any church interested in numerical growth

must be concerned about membership losses.11 Larry Weeden further explains:

Despite our best intentions and efforts, many of us are frustrated that our
churches are not reaching people as effectively as we’d like…Just as frustrating
as a lack of effective outreach can be the loss of people out the church’s
backdoor. Even if new members are coming into the fellowship, there’s an
inevitable sense of loss and discouragement when others slip away.” 12

As explained, two of the major challenges of the church are to bring people to Christ

and His church (evangelism) and then to bond these people to the church

(assimilation).

The Fault

Who is to blame for this lack of assimilation of newcomers into the local

church? Is it the newcomer? Is it the new convert? Is it the new member? Is it the

local church? Crowe believes it is true that some people who come to our churches

will never return, others will return for a short time but never remain. Some will drift

away no matter what the church does, even some who make professions and join;

yet this fact does not relieve the church of its responsibility of giving the attention

and care newcomers and new members need.13

11Burkum, A.C.T. – Assimilating New Members, p. 9.

12Larry K. Weeden, ed. The Magnetic Fellowship (Waco: Word, 1988), p. 9.
13 Gayle M. Crowe, “Incorporating New Members into the Local Church,”

[Link]. dissertation, Harding Graduate School of Religion, 1986, p. 99.

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When the question is asked, “Who is to blame, the person or the church?”

One must conclude that there is fault on both sides. Research has shown that the

greatest fault lies with the local church. Hodge and Rozen state that:

In some studies the most frequently mentioned reason for dropping out was the
subject did not feel they were loved, accepted or wanted by other members of
the congregation. Their perception was that no one in the congregation was
demonstrating any real love or concern for them.14

Win Arn, church growth expert, says when new people are not assimilated “the fault

can usually be traced to the church rather than the new member.”15

If Win Arn is correct and the church is at fault, then the church needs to follow

the example of Christ (1 Jn. 4:19 – we love Him because he first loved us), and take

the initiative to love others and to reach out to others rather than leaving them to

discover Christ on their own. The church will also help them find their way into

meaningful relationships and service. Building relationships between the church

members and the newcomers is a key to assimilation. Larry Dyer believes it is the

responsibility of the church to take the initiative to help newcomers to build

relationships and friendships in the church.16

14 Dean R. Hodge and David R. Rozen, Understanding Church Growth and

Decline 1950-1978 (New York: Pilgrim Press, 1979), p. 65.
15 Win Arn, The Church Growth Ratio Book (Pasadena: Church Growth

Press, 1987), p. 22.

16 Larry E. Dyer, “The Proactive Strategy for the Initial Assimilation of

Newcomers into the Local Church through Tracking, Intentional Hospitality and
Newcomer Involvement,” D. Min. dissertation, Covenant Theological Seminary,
1994, p. 3.
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Often the church will make excuses for its failure to assimilate by saying,

they were never really saved; they did not want to become a part of the church; they

are carnal; they are selfish and just want to be ministered to; if they would take their

membership seriously they could be active; and, if they really loved the Lord they

will become involved. Though there may be truth in each of these

statements, statistics seem to prove that the major reason people who attend

churches do not stay is that the church failed to assimilate them. There was a lack

of follow up and follow through, a failure to care for, to nurture, to befriend, to love,

to include, to accept, and to teach. Much of the responsibility for the failure to

assimilate people into the local church must be accepted by the church.”17

As shown, it seems to be a fact that many churches are ignoring the needs of

people both outside and inside the church. Most churches do not have a plan or

strategy for reaching and keeping people – no plan to attract newcomers and

assimilate them into the ministry of the local church. The purpose of this paper is to

address this problem and present solutions so that newcomers can be reached,

won to Christ, assimilated into the church, and become disciples - not statistical

drop outs.

This failure has not been intentional in most cases. God’s people in Baptist

Churches are usually not the type people who would intentionally ignore the great

17Max E. Brand, “The Development of Strategies for New Member

Assimilation into the Local Church,” D. Min. dissertation, Southwestern Baptist
Theological Seminary, 1990, p. 6.
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harvest of people who come to the churches week after week. Often it is more of a

leadership problem than a membership problem. People must be taught by the

pastor what their God-given responsibilities are concerning those without and within

the church. Pastors have often failed to keep the nature and purpose of the

church before the people. There are a number of purposes for the church in the

New Testament. Certainly, most would agree with Ken Houts that the mission of the

church is the harvest that Christ spoke of in Matthew 9:35-37 and John 4:35-38.18

Ken Houts further explains this problem and has come to the conclusion that

the average church is so maintenance-centered in lieu of being mission-centered

that it has lost the desire and the ability to attract and keep newcomers. The church

is focused inward instead of outward. Most of the church’s time, effort, money and

plans are geared to the maintenance of the existing church family. Practically all of

the services are geared toward the maintenance of the exiting group. Ninety-five

percent of the pastor’s and staff’s time is invested in the maintenance of the

institution, with little time left for the unsaved and unchurched. An examination of

the ministries of the average church will show that the vast majority of our ministries

are maintenance in nature. One has only to visit other churches to find that the so-

called “friendly church” is often only friendly to itself. The first time visitors attend,

they often get a superficial handshake for a greeting

18Ken Houts, Care Ministry Team Member Manual (Prairie Village, Kansas:
Kendall D. Houts Ministries, 1998), p. 12.
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and leave feeling like they are not wanted or needed.19 Kirk Hadaway insists that in

some churches where the welcome is considered warm, the newer people are

never able to gain full acceptance into one or more of the friendship networks in the

church.20 Lyle E. Schaller makes an alarming statement, “There is considerable

evidence which suggests that at least one-third, and perhaps as many as one-half

of all Protestant church members do not feel a sense of belonging to the

congregation of which they are members.”21

Correcting the Problem

Ken Houts’ belief that one’s values define their ministry shows that the church

does what it does because of what it believes to be important. These beliefs define,

drive, and motivate the church to action. He refers us back to the issue of

maintenance and mission. Most of the church’s values are maintenance-centered

(focusing inward on the membership). Mission-centered values focus outward on

the harvest of people who have been entrusted to the church to reach. Of course,

the maintenance of the existing church is important but no church should be

satisfied with a ministry that only focuses inward and forgets those outside the

19 Ken Houts, Team Leader Manual, p. 16.

20 Kirk Hadaway, Church Growth Principles (Nashville: Broadman, 1991), p.
46.
21 Lyle E. Schaller, Assimilating New Members (Nashville: Abingdon, 1975),
p. 16.
 18
church who have needs. If the church does this, the church cannot grow or be

obedient to our Lord’s commands (Mt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:8).22

In order to correct this problem, the church must be taught the biblical

mandate for church growth (which includes assimilation), biblical methods involved

in such growth, and also some practical aids in the assimilation of newcomers.

Changes must be made within the church to align itself with the scriptures in

bringing people to Christ and bonding people to His church as they become true

disciples of Jesus Christ.

The church must gain a new vision of its Lord’s commands and plan strategies

for carrying out those commands in a Christ-honoring way. If churches expect to

grow, they must meet the spiritual needs of those outside of their church

membership. They must also get the saints involved in this mission-centered

ministry (Eph. 4:12), since the pastor or staff cannot do it as well as the people. The

membership will need training to know what to do, how to do it, and why to do it.

This is the task of the pastor-teacher (Eph. 4:11-12). 23 The next section of this

paper will deal with motivating the congregation to assume their God-given

responsibility for seeing the need to reach and assimilate people into the local

church.

22Houts, How to Minister to Your Visitors (Prairie Village, Kansas: Kendall D.

Houts Ministries, 1998), p. 8.
23 Ken Houts, Team Leader Manual, pp. 16-19.
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CHAPTER TWO

MOTIVATING THE CONGREGATION

Much of the problem with the failure to assimilate newcomers into the local

church is ignorance. Most people in the average congregation do not see

the need to assimilate people into the local church. They hope it will happen but do

not realize they are often the reason it does not happen. It is the responsibility of the

pastor-teacher to properly teach the people their role and responsibility in the

assimilation process of newcomers. It is also his responsibility to see that a strategy

is in place to carry out assimilation of newcomers. Growth is a biblical mandate as

will be seen in the next section of this paper.

Church Growth in the Book of Acts

The purpose for the writing of the Book of Acts is found in Luke’s introduction.

No one can argue that he made the expansion and growth of the church an obvious

addition to the book (Acts 2:43-47; [Link] 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5; 19:20). Since there

can be no church growth without the process of assimilation taking place, one must

examine the New Testament for the principles of church growth and assimilation.

The Bible must always be the guide when establishing church growth principles and

philosophy.
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This philosophy is well-stated in the Book of Acts where three different kinds

of growth are mentioned. First, there is numerical growth. The Bible speaks about

the eleven remaining apostles joining others for a total of 120 in the upper room

(Acts 1:13-15); three thousand are seen being saved and added to the church in

Acts 2:41; 5,000 more men were added in Acts 4:4; multitudes in Acts 5:14;

disciples were increasing in Acts 6:1; being added (Acts 2:47), multiplying (Acts

9:31) and increasing in number (Acts 16:5). The early church knew very little or

nothing of biological growth or transfer growth as mentioned earlier. They only knew

of conversion growth. Secondly, there was geographical growth as the church

moved out in accordance with Acts 1:8. This shows that the growth of the church

was not restricted to Jerusalem and Jews but to all peoples of the world. Finally,

there was spiritual growth. Allison Trites states: “Where ever the gospel was

preached, there was an increase in godly living…The Book of Acts faithfully records

the spiritual growth of the early church. Acts 2:42-47 is a beautiful cameo of the

inner life of the church.”24 Without such spiritual growth there will be little long-term

assimilation of newcomers and new converts.25

The Nature of the Church

Before motivation can take place the congregation must be taught

concerning the nature of the church. When one understands the nature of the

church, one can then see the need for the assimilation of newcomers, new

24Allison A. Trites, “Church Growth in the Book of Acts,” Bibliotheca Sacra

145 (Apirl-June 1988) : 165.
25 Ibid. , pp. 162-67.
 21

converts and new members. Alfred Detter believes that one of the first steps toward

solving the assimilation problem is to improve the church’s attitude toward

newcomers. The early church was receptive by nature. It is the church’s

responsibility to win converts to Christ through both life and lip and also to

assimilate them into the membership (Acts 2:41-47). This is at the heart of the Great

Commission – making disciples (Mt. 28:19-20). The people of God during this

dispensation, who have the life of Christ within, gather to share that life with one

another and unbelievers who might come in among them (1 Cor.14: 23-25). The

church is a community of people in relationship with one another because of their

relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.26 The nature of the church can

be seen in three images used by New Testament writers to describe the church.

The Body of Christ

The first and most extended image of the church is Paul’s metaphor of the

body of Christ (Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:12-27). In the body there is diversity,

different gifts, unique roles, harmony, bonding, and a need for each other.

Ephesians 4:16 says, “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and

compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working

26 Alfred L. Detter, “The Assessment of Newcomer Assimilation and the

Development of an Assimilation Model at Grace Baptist Church,” D. Min.
dissertation, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1989, p. 10.
 22
in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself

in love.” Every person has needs. The body of Christ has been given the ability and

gifts to meet human needs in the power of the Holy Spirit. When newcomers come

to church one can never forget God has equipped His people to meet their needs. It

must not be forgotten that most people in the Gospels who came to Christ came out

of a desire to have a human need met. People tend to be drawn to the source of

their help.27 When the church community reaches out to and helps those

newcomers who are not yet Christian, they are often drawn to the church. This

gives the church the opportunity to point them to Christ. As our Lord ministered to

both saved and unsaved, so is His church to do so. As stated in Galatians [Link] “As

we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them

who are of the household of faith.” This verse certainly includes the unsaved. They

should be recipients of the church’s good, even though they are not of the

household of faith. As newcomers (both saved and unsaved) come to church, one

must be prepared to do them good, which would include sharing Christ’s love with

them.

The Family of God

Another picture of the church that the people of God must be familiar with is

that of a family. Ephesians 3:14-15 says, “For this cause I bow my knees unto the

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is

27 Alfred L. Detter, “The Assessment of Newcomer Assimliation, “ p. 36.

 23
named.” God is referred to as Father and people are called His children. Before

being saved, people were children of the devil (1 Jn. 4:10). When newcomers come

to church they are being beckoned to leave the devil’s family and come into God’s

family by new birth.

One of the marks of a healthy family is love. Love is one of the distinguishing

marks of a true disciple of Christ (Jn. 13:34-35). As the Lord’s example of love is

imitated by the church (Mk. 1:40-41; Lk. 7:12-13; Mt. 22:39) for the lost, the church

will have a different attitude toward those who come into their midst. As the

unbelieving newcomers believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ, the church must accept

them as babes in Christ. There is a divine necessity for the mature to help nurture

and strengthen the newborn Christian. Paul prayed much for the new believers

(Gal. 4:19). Man was not made by God to live in isolation (Gen. 2:18). People are

made to be dependent upon one another (1 Cor. 12:12-14). The more mature

Christians must help incorporate the less mature Christians into the family of God in

order for them to become productive. Though it is understood that an unbeliever

cannot be ultimately assimilated into the church until they are saved, the process

can certainly begin the moment they attend their first service, which includes giving

them the gospel and having additional

opportunities to influence them for Christ. This is why the church wants to keep

them coming.
 24

A Fellowship of Saints

The word “fellowship” is certainly a fitting word to describe the biblical relationship of

God’s people to the Lord and to one another. It is the word koinwnia (koinonia).

This word is translated several ways in our English Bible. The two most common

ways are fellowship and communion. It has the idea of community, joint

participation, sharing or intimacy. As one thinks of including newcomers into our

fellowship it must be remembered that in the strictest sense of biblical fellowship,

apart from regeneration, this is not impossible. Our goal with the unsaved

newcomer is to love them, befriend them, and win them to Christ as they see the

love of God in our lives. The ultimate goal is to make true biblical fellowship possible

with our newcomers. Larry Dyer says, “As long as we do not compromise our moral

and theological stand, we must make every effort to be inclusive.”28

Acts 2:42-47 further explains how the early believers were bound together

and shared their lives, their goods and their time. Shuman says,

The church grew out of Christian fellowship. Believers, bound together by their
common love for Christ and one another, became the church. Fellowship was
one of the striking elements of the early church. To early Christians it was
inconceivable that a believer would go into isolation. To be a believer was to be
a believer in fellowship.29

28Dyer, “The Proactive Strategy,” p. 3.

29Kenneth W. Shuman, “The Assimilation of New Adult Members at
Cornerstone Baptist Church in Houston, Texas,” D. Min. dissertation, New Orleans
Baptist Theological Seminary, 1995, p. 11.
 25

Believers are responsible for each other. Spiritual growth occurs within the context

of fellowship. Stronger Christians have the responsibility to help young or weaker

Christians. New member assimilation is necessary because new members need

assistance in becoming a part of the fellowship of the church. Detter quotes Ray

Stedman who believed “the early church … relied upon a two-fold witness as the

means of reaching and impressing a cynical and unbelieving world: kerygma

(proclamation) and koinonia (fellowship). It was the combination of these two which

made their witness so powerful and effective.”30 Fellowship certainly involves

relationships. The fact is, the unbeliever is probably interested in relationships more

than theology or programs.31

The Involvement of the Membership

Because of this need for fellowship the importance of the laity must be
emphasized in this matter of assimilating newcomers. The congregation often has
the wrong idea of the role of pastor and people. The church has somehow arrived at
the point that many of its members believe that the pastoral staff is responsible for
church growth and all that is associated with it, including assimilation. Nothing could
be further from the truth. Frank Tillapugh believes this important doctrine of the laity
being personally involved in the ministry of the church has been set aside as a
result of pastor’s over-emphasizing the need for professionals.32 When the Book of
Acts is examined, the proper balance of the role of the people and preachers are
found. Leaders of the church were helped by lay people who shared the task of
reaching out for Christ (e.g. Stephen, Philip, Aquila and Priscilla).

This relates to the idea that the priesthood of the believer teaches that God

clearly intends for all believers to carry on the work Jesus began when He was on

30Detter, “The Assessment of New Member Assimilation,” p. 25.

31Burkum, “A.C.T. – Assimilating New Members,” p. 14.
32 Frank Tillapugh, Unleashing the Church (Ventura, California: Regal, 1982),

pp. 122-136.
 26

earth. The pastors are to equip the flock to do the work of the ministry as stated in

Ephesians 4:11-12, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,

evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the

work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

When one examines who was instrumental on the day of Pentecost it is clear

that it was not only the preachers but at least one hundred and twenty disciples that

were involved. Peter preached the famous Pentecostal sermon, but it is obvious

from the context and the pronouns used in Acts One and Two that the laity was

involved in witnessing and in the supernatural gift of tongues on that day. Also the

involvement of the laity is seen in Acts 2:42-47. Verses 44-47 say, “all that believed

were together… and sold their possessions and goods…and they continuing daily

with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house…praising

God and having favour with all the people.”

In Acts 6 one will find a problem caused by the church not caring for a

certain class of widows in the church. The apostles made it clear that their time was

to be used to minister the word of God and to pray. The congregation was asked to

provide men to care for these widows. When this was done, the membership was

cared for, but also the church continued to multiply greatly (Acts 6:7). This was due

to the involvement of the members of the congregation in fulfilling that need stated

in Acts 6. Green is correct in his assessment and support of the role laity played in

the early church in reaching people for Christ. He explains that

Stephen’s death led to the beginning of a massive lay movement which spread
 27
the gospel. The ‘amateur missionaries’, those evicted from Jerusalem following
Stephen’s martyrdom, eventually became the leaders who changed the face of
the movement by preaching to the Greeks and initiating the Gentile mission at
Antioch.33

In fact, church members must be trained, taught and challenged to open up

their lives and schedules to include newcomers and new members. The more new

friends a newcomer or a new member can make, the better their chances for

staying in the church.34 New members need assistance in becoming a part of the

fellowship of the church. Those already in the church have the responsibility to help

those who are new to the church.35

The Theology of Assimilation

For this to work, the congregation must be taught the biblical basis for all it

does as a church. This should be emphasized throughout the preaching calendar.

God’s people not only need to know what to do but also why they should do it. The

doctrine of the Trinity will be examined as to how it influences one’s thinking in the

area of assimilation of newcomers who come to the services.

Doctrine of God

Chrisitans know that it is not God’s will that any should perish (1 Pet. 3:9) but

that people get saved and grow in their Christian faith. God has much to say

33
Michael Green, Evangelism in the Early Church (Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 1970), pp. 172-3.
34 Crowe, “Incorporatng New Members,” p. 100.
35 Shuman, “The Assimilation of New Adult Members,” p. 10.
 28
about a Christian’s relationship with other Christians. Love for them is based upon

love for God (1 Jn. 4:20-21). The Great Commandment, found in Matthew 22:36-40,

explains the Christian’s responsibility to God and his neighbor (saved or lost). Love

must be expressed to others in order to reflect Christ through Christian’s lives. As

one considers God’s will concerning the lost and concerning the growth of new

Christians, one must conclude that God wants to use everyone in this process.36

Doctrine of Jesus Christ

Since much of what our Lord said is about these demands of discipleship

(following Him and helping others to follow Him), Christ drew to Himself twelve

disciples (Mk. 3:13-19) and invested much time in them in an effort to develop them.

He was establishing them in the faith and preparing them for future service.

Christians are told to continue this disciple making and teaching (Mt. 28:19-20).

When considering who is to be discipled, the Bible is clear that it involves everyone

(Mk. 16;15). Christ died for every person and desires every person to become a

believer (1 Tim. 2:3-6). Believers are to be baptized and added to the church (Acts

2:41, 47). All of this is a part of the assimilation process.

Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

One of the many blessings the Person of the Holy Spirit bestows upon the

believer is that He empowers the believer to be a witness to the lost (Acts 1:8).

36 Brand, “The Development of Strategies,” p. 7.

 29
One’s relationship to an unbeliever should certainly be one of a witness. As the

unbelieving newcomer enters the church, he is to see Christ in Christian’s lives. The

Holy Spirit enables the Christian to act, talk, live, carry on his worship, and love in

such a way as to exert an influence upon the unbeliever that will help lead them to

salvation in Christ. As Paul dealt with the tongues issue in Corinthians, he cautioned

them about what was allowed in their public services. How they conducted

themselves could either be a blessing or a hindrance to lost people who may have

come in among them. 1 Corinthians 14:23-25 Paul makes this statement,

If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak
with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will
they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that
believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he
is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so
falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of
a truth.

This conduct could result in his falling down and worshipping God because he was

convinced that God was in them. That is the influence the Holy Spirit desires the

church to exert upon unbelievers who attend the assemblies today. The instruction

in 1 Corinthians was not just to the preachers but to the church as a whole. The laity

of the church is responsible for how they conduct themselves in reference to their

influence upon the unbeliever or newcomer in their midst.

In conclusion of this section, the church must be reminded of the sovereignty

of God. The strength and power to accomplish the task of assimilation come from

the Lord. One cannot dismiss the sovereignty of God in the matter of church growth.

No amount of strategies and systems to assimilate people, done in

 30
the energy of the flesh, can ever be of any lasting value. No matter what is done or

how it is done, only God can bring conviction, save a soul, or change a life. The

Bible is clear concerning human cooperation with God (1 Cor. 3:6-9). The early

church followed God’s strategy (Acts 1:8) of evangelism. Such strategy was not in

opposition to God but in cooperation with God. All of the good that is done to help

bring people to Christ and then to maturity and assimilation in the church, is not in

opposition to the sovereignty of God but in cooperation and dependence upon God.

Practical Aspects of Motivating the People

Before a strategy for assimilating newcomers into the local church can be

presented to the people, they must be taught the reason for assimilation. Certainly

the truth already presented in Chapter One should be incorporated in teaching and

preaching concerning the church’s responsibility to newcomers.37 The people must

see or own the vision of reaching these newcomers for Christ. The congregation

must be taught the proper values that will motivate the church to action. They must

then be challenged to participate in such a strategy for reaching the newcomer.

They must become doers of the word.

The Vision

37
The writer of this paper preached for eight weeks on Wednesday nights in
order to prepare the hearts and minds of the people to implement a strategy for
assimilating the newcomers into the church. The above truth from the Book of Acts,
the nature of the church and the responsibility of the membership were incorporated
into these eight sermons. The problem was also presented (Chapter One) and then
the solution to the problem was shared.
 31
To further explain the need for motivation, Dan Houts in his materials on the

Care Ministry, is very clear that the mission of the church is the harvest.38 What

Jesus told His disciples many years ago in John 4 as they watched the crowds of

people coming from Samaria toward Jacob’s well, He would say to us today,

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to
finish his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh
harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for
they are white already to harvest (Jn. 4:34-35).

The Great Commission points to the harvest and the role of the New Testament

Church in relation to that harvest. One way to measure the effectiveness of a

church is to see if it is accomplishing its mission which is the reaching of the

harvest. It is not the size of the offerings, size of the building, money being given to

missions, or the Sunday School enrollment, but the effectiveness of reaching the

harvest. Just as the crowds in John 4 were coming to Jesus, so some of the harvest

actually comes to the church in the form of newcomers. A church is presented with

a great opportunity for being able to reach a portion of the harvest that actually

comes to that church. People must be taught concerning this

opportunity and responsibility. It has been shown from 1 Corinthians 14:23-25 how

important one’s actions are to those who visit in our assemblies. If the church is

unwilling to properly reach the newcomers who come to the services, it stands to

reason little will be done to reach those who will never come on their own. With this

in mind, the church must “lift up its eyes” and see the harvest God is sending

38 Houts, Team Member Manual, pp. 12-14.

 32
to the church at any given church service. Those who visit church services are

usually the best prospects.

Since the average church growth in America is only 2 percent by conversion

and 98 percent by church transfer from other churches and biological additions, it is

obvious that the mission of the church is no longer the harvest.39 Instead of being

fishers of men churches are only swapping the fish from one aquarium (church) to

another. No church should be satisfied with this type growth.

This is not the mission of the church. The church must be shown the vision of lost

souls (the harvest) and the fact that many of them will actually come in to the church

during regular services. It seems obvious that many churches have degenerated

into a maintenance organization rather than a mission driven organism.40 This is

where the values held affects what is done.

The Values

A church has values just as an individual has values. What is counted as

important, what is of great worth, and what is esteemed highly is what is valued. 41

These values are the convictions and the beliefs that are regarded as important,

which shape how the ministry should be done. It is what drives the church to do

what it does. There is an old axiom but it is true: what one believes affects how one

behaves. This is a pattern the Apostle Paul followed in many of his epistles.

39 Houts, Team Leader Manual, p. 16.

40 Ibid. , p. 17.
41 Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, ed. Frederick C. Mish,

(Springfield, Mass: Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 1993), p. 1305.

 33

He would present doctrine (beliefs) and then challenge the people concerning their

duty or behavior.42

Dan Houts further explains that there are two basic types of values,

maintenance values and mission values. The maintenance values are the beliefs

and convictions that cause a church to focus inward, emphasizing the membership

and its care. The mission values are the beliefs and convictions that cause a church

to focus outward, emphasizing the unsaved and unchurched. “Adding programs

does not change churches… changing values changes churches.”43

This writer believes strongly that the church must have both maintenance

and mission values. The facts are that most churches are majoring on the

maintenance of the existing membership and structure and neglecting the mission

of the church, which is the harvest. The Scriptures have much to say about the

edification of the body but it also has much to say about the mission of the church in

reaching the harvest. Because of this, both types of values are important and

neither should be neglected. What a church must do is to examine its ministries and

see if they are unbalanced. When one realizes that in the average church the vast

majority of all Sunday services, Wednesday night programs, and small group

42 The Book of Romans is developed with the idea of giving the believer a
doctrinal basis for the behavior that Paul beseeched them to have. Rom. 1-8 gives a
detailed explanation of sin, salvation and sanctification. Rom. 9-11 are parenthetical
and relate primarily to Israel. In Rom. 12-16, Paul challenges the believers (based
upon the mercies of God he had discussed with them earlier) to give themselves
wholly to God to live accordingly for Christ, with each other, and before the world.
Ephesians is structured in a similar way. Eph. 1-3 gives the doctrinal basis for the
church’s existence and then behavior is dealt with in the following three chapters.
43 Houts, Team Leader Manual, p. 18.
 34

activity are geared only for the existing membership, then the church is unbalanced.

It is estimated that 95 percent of the average pastor’s and pastoral staff’s time is

invested in the maintenance of the church. The best leaders of the church are often

involved only in the maintenance ministries of the church. This may help explain

why so few people are coming into our churches by conversion and most by

transfer. We end up competing with other churches rather than with

the forces of evil over the unsaved and unchurched. One must remember that

these maintenance ministries can be changed to become both maintenance and

mission ministry; therefore, these ministries can both edify the saints while being a

good opportunity to win the lost and also to help assimilate newcomers into the

church.

Since most any ministry in the church can be both maintenance and mission

driven, both are important to the balanced growth of a church. A church must

examine itself carefully to see if it has degenerated into a maintenance only church.

This could be some of the reason the church is not reaching the lost and is not

growing. Two values that must be taught to the church are as follows.

1. God wants to use His church to reach the harvest

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues,
and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and
every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was
moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered
abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The
harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord
of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. (Mt. 9:34-38)

God can use us if we make ourselves available to Him. We are co-laborers

with God (1 Cor. 3:9).
 35

2. God wants to work through His church to meet the needs of people

Growing churches meet the needs of people outside of their church

membership (mission vs. maintenance). If people come to the church for the
same reasons many came to Jesus, it will be because they were motivated by
need. An examination of those who came to Christ in the Gospels will reveal that
many came because of some pressing need in their own life or a loved one’s life
(Lepers, centurion on behalf of a servant, man sick with the pasly, those
possessed with demons, father with a lunatic son, mothers brought little children,
woman with issue of blood, woman in behalf of her sick daughter, deaf and
dumb man, blind men, and tax collectors who were rejected by most).

Because of these beliefs, Pastors must teach their people biblical values

(convictions, beliefs) that will motivate the membership to embrace mission type

values; thus, leading to strategies for reaching the harvest. Once the values are

properly taught, then people must be challenged to become doers of the word and

not hearers only.

The Volunteers

Certainly every Christian within the church should be a part of this ministry of

reaching lost people and seeing them assimilated into the church. If the church is

properly taught it’s responsibility for newcomers, as well as the harvest outside the

church, there will need to be some plans and strategies to see that these people are

given the training and the opportunities to minister to newcomers. A plan to reach

and assimilate newcomers into the church must be taught, people must be

recruited, and involved in this ministry. It must be a ministry and not another

program of the church. If it is only another program, it like many other programs, will

have a short life. If it is based upon biblical principles and values and is seen as the

mission of the church of Jesus Christ, then people will become

 36

a part of it in order to carry out the mission of the Lord. They will see themselves

involved in the work of Christ in reaching the harvest and building the local church.

Once the church is properly taught, values have been clearly explained and

accepted, and a plan for assimilation has been devised (see Chapter IV of this

paper), then people should be asked to make commitments to such a ministry.

After properly teaching the congregation, it would be good to conclude with a

sermon challenging people to get involved. A table could be set up where people

could sign up (see Appendix Seven for a sample sign up sheet). This could be done

at the conclusion of the final sermon in the series where this ministry and its values

have been preached and taught to the people. It ought to be the goal of the pastor

to have 20 percent of the congregation sign up for further training in

assimilating newcomers into the church. Even those who do not formally sign up will

have been influenced by the preaching and teaching on the mission values. They

should know before they sign up what will be expected of them; therefore, the

ministry should have been explained to them in one of the sermons in the series

covering this ministry.

 37

CHAPTER THREE

MAKING THE PREPARATIONS

This process of assimilation cannot be an afterthought. There must be an

organized strategy for carrying out this important work of the church. If the needs of

the newcomer are to be met planning is essential. This chapter will focus on

preparing and organizing the leadership. There are a number of elements involved

in preparing for a successful ministry of assimilation, including prayer, preaching

and teaching, facilities and greeters.

The Leadership

One of the first tasks that must be done is leaders must be chosen to lead

this vital assimilation ministry of the church. These leaders must also be trained for

an assimilation ministry. A church must decide what leadership is needed to carry

out the assimilation of newcomers into the local church. It will be very ineffective if it

is done in a haphazard way. Men and women of great christian character should be

chosen as leaders of this vital ministry. The leadership of this assimilation ministry

will be the key to its success. Adequate time must be spent by the pastor in praying

and considering who would be chosen as leaders. This may be the most important

step in a successful assimilation strategy.

 38

The Pastor

As the leader, the pastor is the overseer of the church.44 He must be the

ultimate overseer of the assimilation ministry. Few will have the same burden for the

growth of the church, its health, and the assimilation of newcomers as the pastor.

The growth of the church can only happen if the pastor is personally committed to

the vision of a growing church and believes this is the reason the

church exists.”45 The Pastor can certainly delegate responsibility but will be the one

who is ultimately responsible for the direction of the church (Heb. 13:17). The pastor

will need to consider doing the following if he expects to have a successful

assimilation ministry. This is an abbreviated list of duties he should consider:

1. He must embrace the biblical goals, values and vision for the growth
of the church and for the assimilation of newcomers into the church.
2. He must teach and communicate the vision, values and goals to the
congregation on a continuing basis.
3. He must pray, seek out, and recruit someone for the role of assimilation
director.
4. He must train and equip the director for this ministry (Eph. 4:12)
5. He must make sure there is proper training for all involved in the
assimilation ministry.
6. He must make sure that the assimilation director is held accountable
for following through with the team leaders and team members.
7. He should consider teaching a “Pastor’s Welcome Class” for newcomers.

44 James Strong, A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek New

Testament (McClean, VA: MacDonald Publishing), p. 31. The word used for bishop
is episkopov (episkopos). This Greek word is translated six times in the King
James Bible as bishop and one time as overseer. An overseer is a man charged
with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others are done rightly. The bishop
is the superintendent, elder or overseer of a Christian church.
45 Houts, The Pastor’s Strategy Manual (Prarie Village, Kansas: Kendal D.

Houts Ministries, 1998), p. 10.

 39

8. He should consider making Sunday afternoon calls to newcomers who

visited in the morning service. In a large and growing church the pastor
may need to share this responsibility with other pastoral staff.
9. He should find or develop a curriculum and training manual for the
director, the team leaders, and the team members.

The Assimilation Director

As director, this person will oversee the entire assimilation ministry under the

authority of the pastor. This person will have a great impact on the success or

failure of this ministry. The pastor of a growing church will not have the time needed

to fulfill the duties of the director of assimilation. In a very small church, the pastor

may be the assimilation director at the beginning. The pastor should be given the

privilege of choosing this man. It should be someone who has leadership abilities, is

well respected by the congregation, has the ability to motivate people to action, and

is by nature a positive-type person. A person easily discouraged should never be

placed in this position. The following are some suggestions concerning the director

of assimilation that should be considered by a pastor and church:

1. The pastor must spend adequate time with this person in order to
communicate the vision, the values and goals of the assimilation
ministry. The pastor must personally mentor this man and equip him for
ministry. The time invested in him will pay great dividends.
2. The director will work with and under the pastor to help implement an
effective assimilation ministry.
3. He will work with the pastor on choosing and recruiting team leaders.
4. This writer suggests that the director not be a salaried staff member
unless the church is so large that a layman could not possibly have
the time to fulfill the duties.
5. This person will need to make this ministry his number one priority in
the church. He should be relieved from other duties. If the vision and
values of the church are properly understood, this will be no problem.
 40
6. He should take the responsibility for training future team members on
a regular basis. At least one training session per year for new team
members is needed.
7. He should conduct regular and needed meeting with the team leaders.
8. He should meet with the team leader and the team members on the
Sunday morning they are to serve. This is for encouragement.
9. He will be responsible to see that the team leaders are held accountable
for following all procedures.
10. He should recruit good testimonies about the assimilation ministry that
should be given at the discretion of the pastor.
11. He should provide the pastor with an up-to-date visitor/team member
report every Monday morning.

The Assimilation Secretary

The director needs a secretary. This person need not be a salaried person

unless the church is the size that would require more time than a volunteer could

give. A lady often works better in this type position though it is not necessary this

person be a lady. The secretary will work directly with the director of assimilation. A

brief job description is give below:

1. Keep accurate records of all visitors (newcomers) including their names,

addresses, phone numbers, and other pertinent information.
2. Keep track of the assimilation process for each newcomer.
3. Alert the director when the team leaders do not turn in the needed
information.
4. Work with the church secretary concerning mailings and records.
5. Must go through the training for the assimilation ministry.
6. Should give the director a weekly report and update.

The Team Leaders

A team leader will work with and under the authority of the director of assimilation

and in co-ordination with the secretary. The team leader will oversee a team of
 41
eight to fifteen people, depending on the size and growth of the church. The pastor

and the director should work together in choosing these key men. Dan Houts says,

“Quality leadership produces quality ministry!”46 Some considerations for this

position are listed below:

1. Like the director, this person should be a people-person, have

leadership abilities, Christian character, be able to motive people, and be
well respected by the congregation.
2. They will oversee their ministry team as they minister to newcomers.
3. These men must be trained and equipped by the Pastor and director.
4. They must embrace the vision, the values and goals of the church and
assimilation ministry.
5. They will be accountable to see that all records and cards are turned
in to the assimilation secretary in an orderly and timely fashion.

The Team Members

Team members are the people in the congregation that respond to the

preaching on assimilating the harvest into the church. These are volunteers that

sign up for more training because of their desire to fulfill God’s will in their lives in

loving and helping newcomers come to Christ, grow, and become assimilated into

the church. The following are suggestions for team members:

1. A team member will serve with and under the authority of a team
leader.
2. A team member will serve as the initial greeter for newcomers on
one Sunday per month. The other weeks will be used to follow up
and befriend those the team member met on their ministry day.
They should also be aware of ministering to the needs of the existing
congregation.

46 Ibid., p. 20.
 42
3. The team member must be adequately trained and equipped to do
what is needed for effective assimilation of newcomers.
4. The team member must turn in appropriate information to their team
leader in an orderly and timely fashion.
5. A team member must see assimilation as a ministry and not as another
program within the church.
6. A team member must embrace the vision, the values and the goals of the
church and the assimilation ministry.

Organization

With the previously discussed people in mind, the organizational chart below

is a suggested structure for the assimilation ministry of a local church.

Pastor

Assimilation
Director Secretary

Team Leader Team Leader Team Leader Team Leader

Team Members Team Members Team Members Team Members

Chart 1

Training

The people in the above chart must be trained. A lack of trained Christians

to carry out the work of the church is usually due to a failure on the part of the

Pastor and pastoral staff. People will not and cannot function properly if they do
 43

not know what to do and how to do it. A failure to train is a decision to fail. Training

produces competence, competence produces confidence, and confidence produces

success.

The pastor should spend adequate time training the director and the team

leaders. Too much cannot be said concerning the training and equipping of these

key people. They must be people who have the ability to lead others. These men

must also have the heart to reach people for Christ and to keep people by seeing

them assimilated into the local church. These men must see themselves as a team.

They must seek to encourage one another. They will determine whether the

assimilation ministry is a success or a failure.

Once the director and team leaders are chosen and properly trained, it is

necessary to train the team members. Three suggested schedules for training are

found in appendix one. There should be a minimum of five hours of training for the

team members. The pastor should conduct the basic training with the director

assisting him (team-teaching). This will put the director in the proper perspective

before the eyes of the team members and team leaders. He will be seen as the

leader of the assimilation ministry as he serves under the authority of the pastor.

Prayer

All of these people, properly organized and trained, will not be successful

without God blessing their efforts. This is where prayer must be seen as a vital part

of the overall assimilation process. Prayer for the newcomers and prayer for
 44

those who will minister to them is vital. Of the many elements involved in church

growth that are described in the vast majority of church growth books, prayer is

usually not mentioned. No one can properly read the Book of Acts (God’s manual

on church growth) without coming to the realization of how important prayer was in

the growth of the early church. Though it must be assumed that church growth

experts and writers would recognize that prayer is indispensable to the growth of

the church, many of the contemporary writers fail to give prayer any prominent

place at all.47 The Book of Acts gives prayer a high priority in evangelism and the

resulting growth of the early church.

One hundred and twenty disciples prayed in the upper room before the great

harvest of Pentecost (Acts 1:15). Prayer raised the church to new levels of boldness

as they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:31). When persecution seemed it

would stop evangelism and the growth of the church, the church united

in prayer. The gospel continued to spread unhindered because of prayer (Acts 12:5,

12). Prayer was a chief weapon against spiritual forces which sought to stop the

church from evangelizing and thus growing (Acts 6:10-18). The Apostles refused to

allow social problems to divert them from prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts

6). As a result of this refusal, the number of disciples increased (Acts 6:7). Thom

Rainer says, “Churches today must place a priority on prayer which will

47Thom S. Rainer, “Church Growth and Evangelism in the Book of Acts,”

Criswell Theological Review, 5:1 (Fall 1999): 60.
 45

be evident in their programs, budget and calendar… Prayer was not the leader in a

series of programs; it was the foundation upon which all other ministry was

built.”48 Church growth resulting from evangelism is more than good directional

signs in the parking lot, clean nurseries and friendly greeters (all of which

should be there and not neglected). True assimilation of newcomers is a spiritual

battle that must be fought with the mighty spiritual weapons of God (2 Cor. 10:4-5;

Eph. 6:18). Appendix Two will give some suggestions on how to establish a

ministry of prayer as it relates to the assimilation process. Not only is prayer seen

as one of the key elements to early church growth but so was preaching and

teaching.

Preaching and Teaching

Along with prayer there is no doubt that preaching impacted the growth of the

early church. Church growth experts disregard or minimize preaching as an element

in church growth. Their studies often include many good ideas, but they usually

exclude preaching as a contributing growth factor.

For example, Michael A Wilde reminds us that Donald McGavran, founder of

the modern church growth movement, coined the term church growth in his book,

The Bridges of God (1955).49 McGavran had successfully planted churches

48Ibid. , p. 67.
49Michael A. Wilde, “A Study of Impact of Preaching Upon Biblical Church
Growth,” D. Min. dissertation, Western Conservative Baptist Seminary, 1994, p. 3.
 46

in India for seventeen years. Wilde states, “One of the unique characteristics of

McGavran’s church growth model was his emphasis on sociological phenomena

that did produce growth. His model started a major shift from traditional and biblical

patterns of church growth to those which emphasized social science.” 50

Peter Wagner of Fuller School of World Mission is one of the leading

spokesmen today concerning church growth. The Fuller model has become a

standard of church growth in America. In his book, Your Church Can Grow, Wagner

gives seven vital signs of a healthy, growing church he discovered by observing

growing churches in America and from a study of Acts 2:41-47. He did not include

preaching and teaching as one of those vital principles even though the immediate

context of Acts 2 links the numerical addition to Peter’s preaching. Preaching gets a

mere mention in the book.51

Win Arn also supports this research and is quoted by Earl V. Comfort in his

article “Is the Pulpit a Factor in Church Growth?”

Unfortunately many churches in choosing a pastor place greatest priority on the

man’s ability to preach. Certainly congregations are entitled to prepared and
well-delivered messages. Yet, sermon delivery represents a very small
portion of the pastor's total work week. Indications are that the sermon, by
itself, is a relatively minor factor in the growth of the church. How then should
its pastor spend his time to have the greatest effect in church growth?52

50Ibid.
51Peter Wagner, Your Church Can Grow (qtd. in Michael Wilde, p. 3).
52 Earl V. Comfort, “Is the Pulpit a Factor in Church Growth,” Bibliotheca

Sacra 140 (Jan-Mar 1983) : 66.

 47

This seems to be without a doubt an encouragement to preachers to spend less

time on their preaching and more time on so-called church growth elements.

Though much of what is said by the above church growth experts is good, these

statements cannot be accepted at the sacrifice of good, relevant, Bible preaching.

Ken Sidey presents the following question:

Many church growth experts admit, though the principles they have developed
are good, somehow they are not working. In spite of all the church growth
advances, the percent of American adults going to church has remained almost
the same for many years, while Protestant church membership has actually
declined. Could it be the minimizing of preaching?53

Preaching is an historical tradition of the church of Jesus Christ, as well as a

biblically mandated ministry of the church. Preaching is one deed Christ came to do

(Mk. 1:38). He commanded others to preach (Mk. 16:15). After Peter’s

restoration in John 21, Christ commanded him to feed the sheep. It seems obvious

this was done through teaching and preaching the Word of God (Acts 2:41; 4:4;

20:28, etc). This preaching resulted in numerical growth. Growth is found as a result

of preaching in such passages as Acts 5:42; 6:1,7; 16:4-5; 17:1-4.

Part of assimilation is bringing people to Christ through the preaching and

teaching of the gospel (1 Cor. 1:18) and then to maturity by using the Word of God

(Heb. 5:14). A person who is either unsaved or weak in the faith and has no

discernment will find it either impossible or very difficult to be assimilated in the

ultimate sense of the word (Heb. 4:12; 2 Pet. 2:2). To this day, the claim that good,

biblical preaching will positively impact growth is missing in church growth

Ken Sidney, “Church Growth Fine Tunes its Formulas,” Christianity Today
53

35 (June 1991) : 46.

 48

literature. Church growth research minimizes the role of preaching in the local

church while the Bible affirms it as a significant factor in church growth.

Preaching leads to both qualitative growth (repentance from sin, salvation,

baptism, sanctification) and quantitative growth (number of disciples increase and

churches are planted). Allison Trites says,

The early church’s growth was not simply quantitative; it was also qualitative.
There was not just an increase in numbers and in geographical outreach; there
was also a definite deepening of spiritual life in the developing Christian
communities throughout the Mediterranean basin and the Roman Empire.
Wherever the gospel was preached, there was an increase in godly living. 54

A study of church history will show that preaching has been used by God to

bring about church growth.55 The preaching of Jonathan Edwards and George

Whitfield had a profound affect during the first Great Awakening. The revival

preaching of Charles Finney, Dwight L. Moody and Billy Sunday was responsible for

multitudes coming to Christ and coming into the churches. DeWitte T. Holland

confirms the importance of preaching,

But when the church has been alive, vibrant, sharing and expanding, then
preaching has been central…Preaching is the central function of the church,
biblically and historically…Certainly Jesus commanded the church to preach.
The successful example of apostolic preaching encourages the church to
preach. Preaching builds and solidifies the understanding and faith of the
church; the church is extended as the gospel is proclaimed.”56

This has been further explained in a study conducted by Michael A. Wilde in

Tucson, Arizona. Twenty-four churches participated with 1,449 people responding

54Trites, p.165.
55DeWitte T. Holland, The Preaching Tradition: A Brief History, ed. William
D. Thompson (Nashville: Abingdon, 1989), p. 56.
56 Ibid. , p. 112.
 49

to surveys for the study. The study found that the number one reason people came

to the churches was for the preaching (34 percent). Other options were

given, such as friendliness, programs of the church, and relationships. Of the

twenty-four churches, twenty-three congregations ranked preaching as the primary

reason they continue to come to the church (38 percent). Yet, the Fuller Model

emphasizes the importance of programs, relationships and friendliness to the

exclusion of preaching. Programs, relationships and friendliness are very important.

Of all 1,449 who responded, 98 percent agreed that preaching was a major factor in

growth. The churches in this study were made up of growing and non-growing

churches.57

Michael Wilde concludes by stressing the importance of preaching in the

assimilation process: hence, people seeking a church will include preaching as a

significant part of the equation.58 Good preaching which is biblical and relevant to

daily living is certainly a draw for newcomers (saved and lost) and also an aid in

keeping those who are maturing. This in no way denies the importance of

friendships and relationships, the physical plant, the welcome people receive, and

the way people are followed up. It stresses one factor that is ignored in most church

growth literature.

As a result, adequate time must be given to the preparation of good biblical

preaching and teaching. Preaching must be relevant to the people to whom it is

57 Wilde, p. 96.
58 Ibid. , p. 97.
 50

addressed. Variety in content and style will aid the preacher’s ability to

communicate the whole counsel of God. The preacher must be careful to give a

balanced diet of the Word of God and avoid excessive use of pet topics. Preaching

that is aimed at needs must be balanced with strong doctrine in order to provide

people with a good foundation on which to live their lives. Messages of comfort and

healing are needed in our society. In order to know the people being preached to,

the preacher must spend time with them. Many newcomers will appreciate sermons

that are fresh, preached with enthusiasm, backed up by the Word of God, with

many present day illustrations to life. Humor also has it place in the service if

properly used. Expository, topical and textual type sermons all have their place in

the variety of preaching that a pastor must do. This writer believes that expository

preaching builds the most solid foundation for people in the word of God and so he

uses this style more than the others.

Facilities

With all of the previously discussed preparations in mind, one must not forget

that preparing for the newcomer’s arrival involves the overall church facilities. The

appearance, the layout, and the accessibility of the church facilities can have a role

in the assimilation process. Dan Houts says that “visitors make up their minds the

first eleven minutes if they are NOT coming back to your church.”59 If this is true, the

first few minutes of their arrival on the church property will have a

59 Houts, How to Minister to Your Visitors p. 37.

 51

great influence on whether or not they return. This is part of the overall assimilation

process of newcomers to the church.

Parking

Because of the importance of first time impressions, entrance signs to the

parking lots should be easily seen from the road. Once the newcomer enters the

parking lot of the church, there should either be signs directing them to visitor

parking or parking attendants (preferred) to give directions. Many church growth

writers recommend having a designated parking area for newcomers near the most

convenient entrance into the building. It can be very awkward for a newcomer to be

confused about where to park. Train the congregation to leave the best spaces for

the newcomers. This communicates to the newcomer that the church planned for

his coming. The parking areas should be well marked, clean and well lighted at

night.60

Grounds

The general appearance of the campus grounds is also a very important

issue if a church expects to draw and keep people from their community. Such

maintenance as the grass being cut and edged and trees pruned cannot be

overlooked. The campus grounds presents an image to the newcomer. The church

wants this image the best possible for the Lord.

60 Brand, p. 113.
 52

The Buildings

Another point to consider is that poorly laid out facilities can be a real barrier

to the newcomer. It is often difficult to find either the church auditorium or the church

office. When a newcomer does not find directional signs to entrances, parking,

nurseries, and restrooms. It makes the newcomer feel uncomfortable. When this

happens, Calvin Ratz says the church is saying to visitors, “we weren’t expecting

you.”61 Maps of the facilities should be available at each entrance into the buildings.

The buildings should be well maintained and clean. Three areas of the church

facilities are especially important to the average newcomer – clean restrooms,

nurseries and preschool areas.

Greeters

Once the facilities are set-up to meet the needs of newcomers then greeters

should be stationed in the parking areas and near the entrance doors. Often the

philosophy of the church is that anyone can be a greeter so they

often chose men who cannot do anything else. If newcomers decide in the first

eleven minutes if they are not going to return, then the first people they meet are

some of the most important people in the assimilation process. Greeters should

introduce themselves, lead people to the places they need to go (auditorium,

nurseries, etc) and introduce the newcomers to others in the congregation. The

61 Calvin C. Ratz, “The Velcro Church,” Leadership (Fall Quarter, 1990) :39.
 53

greeter should do all he or she can do to make the newcomer’s visit to the church

as pleasant as possible. John Maxwell has an excellent program for training

greeters. 62 The writer of this paper has prepared a training manual for greeters and

had training sessions with those chosen as greeters.

Ratios

Win and Charles Arn present six ratios that affect the assimilation process.

Because this author believes they are all important, this paper will briefly describe

each of them. Some of these will be elaborated on in Chapter IV of this paper.

They deal with issues that the church must consider in its preparation for meeting

the needs of the newcomers in an effort to seeing them eventually assimilated into

the local church.63

Friendship Ratio

To begin with Arn states that each newcomer should be able to identify at

least seven friends in the church within the first six months. Friendships seem to be

one of the strongest bonds cementing new members to their congregation. If this

1:7 ratio is not met within six months they will often return to their old friends and old

ways. (See page 71 for the results of a study by Arn) The people of the

62 John Maxwell, Ushers and Greeters, an audio cassette tape training

program (ElCajon: Injoy Ministries, 1991)
63 Win and Charles Arn, “Closing the Evangelistic Back Door,” Leadership

(Spring 1984) : 24-31.

 54

congregation must be taught this fact. It is the primary responsibility of the present

church member to provide friendship and relationships for newcomers.

Role/Task Ratio

Arn further explains that there should be at least sixty roles or tasks available

in a local church for every one hundred members.64 It can consist of choirs,

committees, teaching positions, officers, ushers, greeters, secretarial work,

visitation, and other specific duties that people can do for the Lord and His church.

The problem in many churches seems to be that most roles are filled by a small

group of people. If people do not find meaningful responsibility, they often drop out.

This 60:100 ratio is important in the assimilation process. A lack of opportunities for

service can actually create an environment that produces inactive church members.

A church should make a list of all the different ministry opportunities people can get

involved in. This should be shared with the new member in such a way he or she is

encouraged to participate in one or more ministries. The goal is not to create busy

work but involvement in the service of Christ. The church needs to remember to

stress mission roles rather than maintenance roles.

64 Ibid., p. 30.
 55

Group Ratio

To avoid inactive church members, Arn says that there should be at least

seven relational groups in place in a church for every one hundred members. These

groups may include choirs, Sunday School classes, or Senior citizen groups. The

lower this ratio is the lower the growth of that church usually is and the higher the

drop-out rate is. The church should examine the number of small relational groups

it has in the church. Again, this 7:100 ratio is important if people are to be

assimilated into the local church. People must find friends and build relationships.

New-Group Ratio

Further study finds that for every five relational groups in the church, one of

those groups should have been started in the past two years. Arn believes that most

groups reach a saturation point after nine to eighteen months from their formation.

When this happens they usually stop growing and assimilating new people. As a

result, it becomes more difficult to penetrate the group. Friendships are already

made. Many groups go into a maintenance mode even though it was probably a

mission mode that caused them to grow in the beginning. This is one reason a

church must consider starting new groups. This 1:5 new-group ratio will help

assimilate more people and close the back door of the church.
 56

Committee Member Ratio

When the members of all the committees in the church are examined, a

church that usually does well in assimilation has one of every five members having

joined the church in the past two years. There are certain positions in a church that

a new member will not be suited for. Some positions require a period of time to

prove the new member’s faithfulness. Yet, many churches are too slow about

incorporating new members into roles and tasks of the church, such as some

committees. This 1:5 ratio encourages openness in the leadership structure of the

church.

Staff Ratio

How does one go about making sure that people are assimilated and ratios

are met in a church? Arn suggests that there be one full-time staff member for every

150 people in the Sunday morning worship services. 65 Both Win and Charles Arn

recommend that one of the staff members hired after the pastor be a minister

involved in evangelism, the growth of the church, and new member incorporation

and assimilation. This staff member can usually earn his own salary within one year.

65 Arn, Closing the Evangelistic Backdoor, p. 31.

 57

CHAPTER FOUR

MINISTERING TO THE NEWCOMER

It is one concern to know the church is failing to assimilate newcomers and to

know how to motivate and prepare the congregation to solve this problem. It is

another matter to actually do something about the problem. This chapter will deal

with the practical how to of newcomer assimilation. Larry Dyer reminds the reader

that one must recognize that not every newcomer can or should be assimilated into

the local church. The church must have biblical boundaries on who can become a

part of the church. It is not possible that an unbeliever can be ultimately assimilated

into the church unless he or she is willing to become a Christian. It must be

acknowledged that the gospel repels as well as attracts people. Having said this,

every effort must be made to win the unbelieving newcomer, see them grow, mature

and become an active part of God’s local church.66 In a world where people often

feel isolated there is a great need for a place where people can find the love of

Christ, acceptance as a human being made in the image of God, a sense of

belonging and of family, and where they can share and seek help.

66 Dyer, “The Proactive Strategy,” p. 2.

 58

This chapter will also deal with the period from the time a newcomer arrives

at church until they are an assimilated member of the church, which could be

months later. One of the most important times in the assimilation process is the first

time the attender comes. The importance of the newcomer’s initial contact with the

church cannot be overstated. He or she must find Christian warmth, love and

friendliness.

The Friendship Factor

Maxwell’s study on friendship found that the number one reason that visitors

come back to a church is that the people show warmth, fellowship, love, or provide

a sense of belonging. People come back to places where they are treated well. 67 A

newcomer is more than just a visitor whom the church must tolerate for a service,

but actually ought to be one of the most significant and celebrated parts of the

church’s life. They are a central part of the very purpose of the church’s existence.

The harvest has come into the midst of the church. What is said and done can have

a great influence on whether or not that soul will ever come to faith in Christ (1 Cor.

14:23-25). A good rule to follow is to treat newcomers as you would Christ (Mt.

25:36). Though this is a tribulational passage, this is certainly a principle the church

can learn from today. How the Gentiles will treat the Jews of that day is an

indication of their love or lack of love for Christ.

67John Maxwell, “Lay Ministry”, A Workshop that Motivates and Equips Your
People for Ministry Video Series (Bonita, California: Injoy Ministries, 1988).
 59

If the church has made previous preparations for the newcomers arrival (see

Chapter Three of this paper) such as designated parking areas, proper

directional signs, greeters, and clean facilities, the congregation is ready to minister

to them. This ministry will not usually happen by chance but must be planned and

organized. The entire congregation must be taught and challenged in the area of

newcomer welcome. Certainly it should be the very nature of Christians to welcome

people into our assemblies but most churches do not find this to be true. Even if it is

generally true in a church, an organized plan will keep people from being missed or

neglected unintentionally. There is only one chance to make a good first impression

and when it comes to newcomers the church should do it right the first time.68 This

is why the first service they attend is so important. If the church fails them here, it

may never get another opportunity to reach them. The initial visitor contact by the

congregation is no more than an effort to evangelize the lost and to love and

befriend people as a representative of Jesus Christ on earth. Believers are tools the

Holy Spirit can use to win the lost newcomer or help the believing newcomer grow

in Christ.

To further support this idea, Arn tell us that,

the informal welcome ultimately has the greatest influence on a person’s

eventual decision to join; or even come back. It is when members go out of their
way to express genuine interest in the newcomer…when members are inviting
them to a get-together of friends from the church…when they are remembered

68 Brand, p. 113.
 60

the next time they visit.”69 Welcoming isn’t just something done at the door, it’s
something everyone does all over the building.70

Win Arn believes that relationships are probably the predominant assimilation

factor. “Friendship is the strongest bond cementing new members to their new

congregations.”71 One must keep in mind that a newcomer needs seven friends the

first six months or they usually will not remain in the church. Shuman says, “People

are not just looking for a friendly church, they are looking to make friends.”72

Because of these factors the church must be ready, organized and willing to

properly meet the appropriate needs of the newcomer on their very first visit to the

church. The team members who are serving on that Sunday must be spiritually

prepared. When the believers are filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18), walking in the

Spirit (Gal. 5:16), then the power of God is upon their lives for witness (Acts 1:8).

The team will have already met before service to pray and prepare their hearts for

ministry (see appendix four for the team schedule on Sunday). This type Christian

will be able to manifest the love of Christ to the newcomer (Rom. 5:5). If the team

members have been properly trained, they will be ready to minister to the

newcomer.

The team members should be allowed to leave Sunday School early to take

their positions near the auditorium entrance in order to greet newcomers. They

69 Arn, Church Growth Ratio Book, p. 14.

70 Ratz, p. 43.
71 Arn, Church Growth Ratio Book, p. 23.
72 Shuman, p. 89.
 61
should greet these people either near the door or after the ushers or greeters have

seated them. An attitude of love must be conveyed to the newcomer. A smile is

usually the most common way to communicate to the newcomer that they are

accepted as they are. The team members must be taught attention skills and ways

to communicate that the newcomer is important to us (see Appendix Five which

includes instructions on how to approach and carry on a conversation with a

newcomer). The team member must be taught how to get newcomers names, how

to make their children feel important, how to focus on them using eye contact, body

language, and open-ended questions.

Dan Houts suggests that Christians should be looking for divine

appointments.73 People come to church with all kinds of problems and Christ has

the answer. God can bring these people into contact with His people so that they

might be able to minister to them on behalf of Christ. Houts calls this a divine

appointment. The actual strategy for befriending and ministering to the newcomers

before, during, and after the service can be found in Appendix Four. This

information is indispensable to the assimilation process. The importance of this

strategy cannot be over emphasized in the initial steps of assimilation. The

newcomer should find friends the very first service. Helping the newcomer make

friends is one of the most important parts of the assimilation process. Helping the

73Houts, You Are a Miracle (Shippensburg, Pennsylvania: Destiny Image

Publishers, 1996), p. 13.
 62
newcomer build relationships the very first service is so important to the future

potential of reaching them and seeing them eventually assimilated into the church. If

at all possible, the newcomer should be introduced to the pastor at the end of the

service. This will also help the pastor’s follow up to be more personal.

The Follow-up Factor

Other than the first service the newcomer attends and the relationships

formed, the first few weeks after the first service are the most important in the

assimilation process. This part of meeting the newcomer’s needs happens when

they leave the church after that first visit. Few churches have an effective plan to

reach them other than their names being put into the regular visitation program.

This traditional follow up is often not very personal. Often the people who visit them

during the following week are people they never meet at church; therefore, they are

total strangers. The traditional follow up is usually one in which the people try to sell

the church not show genuine concern for those being visited. As the title of this

section denotes, this is the follow up to their visit. This section will deal with the first

two weeks after the newcomer’s initial visit.

Week One

To begin with, a detailed schedule of events for this week are found in

Appendix Six. Each church must develop its own strategy for this vital period in the

assimilation process. A clear and precise procedure must be in place or the

 63
assimilation process will be hindered. This is a suggested format that could be

followed and should work well in aiding the assimilation of newcomers.

A phone call by the pastor should be made some time on Sunday afternoon.

This call will be more effective if the team members were able to

introduce the newcomer personally to the pastor before they left the church that

day. The purpose of this call is to make sure the newcomer knows their visit was not

taken for granted. To make the call more personal, the pastor should be given a

copy of the assimilation ministry tracking card (see appendix thirteen). This will give

the pastor information that might not be on the visitor card that was given out during

the service. If a prayer request was written on the back of the visitor card

(see appendix eight), the pastor should assure the newcomer of his prayers for that

need. The pastor should offer his assistance and that of the pastoral staff if the

newcomer should ever have a need the church could help with. A record of this call

should be made and given to the assimilation director to be put on file and given to

the team member who has befriended the newcomer.

One problem with the average church visitation program is that practical

strangers visit in the home of newcomers. The newcomer never met these people

on the Sunday they visited the church. The better strategy is that the people who

will first visit the newcomer at their home be one of the team members who met and

befriended them on their initial visit. The team member will adopt this newcomer for

the next few weeks and even months in an effort to assimilate them into the church.
 64
Statistics show that these visits to the home are much more effective if made

within thirty-six hours of the newcomers initial visit and if it is made by a lay person

rather than the pastor or staff member. The lay visit is seen as more personal while

the staff visit is seen as more professional. Miller explains that

When laypersons make 15-minute visits to the homes of first-time worship

visitors within 36 hours, 85 percent of them return the following week. Make this
home visit within 72 hours, and 60 percent of them will return. Make it 7 days
later, and 15 percent will return. The pastor making this call, rather than a lay
person, cuts each result in half.”74

Based upon these facts, it would seem best to visit newcomers on Monday

nights. Dan Houts recommends that the visit not be to sell the church but continue

to build a relationship with the newcomer by the team member who befriended them

the day before. Houts recommends the team member deliver a basket of cookies as

a gift of love to the newcomer’s home on Monday night.75 This should be a very

informal time where one may or may not be invited into the home. Remember that

the team member is not a stranger since they befriended the newcomer on their

initial visit. This makes the visit even more meaningful and personal. This can be

very effective if done properly (see Appendix Nine). The writer of this paper has

already instituted this in his own church with great results. People are often

overwhelmed by this unexpected, simple expression of love. It is something they

probably have never experienced before. If their experience at

74Herb Miller, How to Build a Magnetic Church, ed. Lyle E. Schaller

(Nashville: Abingdon, 1987)
75 Houts, Team Member Manual, p. 64.
 65
church was positive and the initial cookie visit is positive, there have been two major

positive deposits into the newcomer’s life regarding the church and its people. No

opportunity to share the gospel should be missed if the Lord opens the door to do

so even on this first visit, but should not be forced.

Overall, most Baptist Churches are in the habit of visiting the homes of those

who visit their church. More and more churches are failing to visit homes because of

the changes in our society. The methods that have been used may need to be

adjusted but visiting should never be abandoned. Gordon McDonald did a study on

the effectiveness of visitation to the homes. He found that 80 percent rated the visit

as positive; only 5 percent were negative and most of these were because of the

timing of the visit. He also found that if the follow-up team used a monologue or

sales pitch which only required token responses from the listener, the listeners did

not tend to enjoy the experience compared to an interactive dialogue.76 If done

properly, the gift of cookies also adds to the effectiveness of the visit.

A letter should be mailed from the pastor to the newcomer no later than

Tuesday. A sample letter can be found in appendix ten. It should not appear that

the letter is a form letter. A personal note may be jotted down in ink by the pastor

about the prayer request or something he learned from his phone call. Mentioning

the children by name is always good.

76 Gordon McDonald, “Ten Conditions for Church Growth,” Leadership 1

(1983) : 46.
 66
On Saturday morning, the person who befriended the newcomer at church

on their initial visit and made the cookie visit should call the newcomer to invite

them back the next day (Sunday). A sample conversation for the phone call can be

found in appendix eleven, along with some practical pointers for making the call.

This must have a personal tone to it, not a memorized, mechanical tone. This call is

vital if you expect to get the newcomer to return to church.77

Week Two

If the Newcomer Returns for a Second Visit

If the procedures for the first week are followed properly, it is not unusual to

expect 50 percent or more of the newcomers to return for a second visit. Most

churches do not experience this rate of return because they often have no

procedure to follow up the newcomer’s initial visit at church or the week afterwards.

People are often initially attracted by the church name, location, building or the

denomination, but they usually return or remain because of the people. Win and

Charles Arn say:

The strategy should seek to foster genuine caring relationships between a

variety of members and the potential disciple. It should also seek to involve the
potential disciple in several appropriate groups and church programs where
new friendships can be made. The more exposures a non-Christian can have
to the person of Christ through his people and the church, the more complete
his or her understanding of Christ and his love.78

77 Houts, Team Member Manual, p. 66.

78 Win and Charles Arn, Closing the Evangelistic Backdoor, p. 29.
 67

Simply put, the more exposure to Christ through His people in the church, the

more possibility there will be for the salvation of the lost and the ultimate

assimilation of all new members.

The team member who befriended them the week prior, made the cookie

visits and called them on Saturday, should be waiting to greet their new friend. It

would be wise to sit with them. Before they arrive, the name of the second time

attender or attenders should be given to at least two other people or couples. This is

part of the process of developing friends in the church for the newcomer. The

second time attender should be introduced to other people who will show a

genuine interest (such as other team members, the team leader or the assimilation

director). If the newcomer has teenagers they should be introduced to the youth

pastor. This is a good time for the team member to invite the second time attender

to a social event that may have been announced that day by the pastor or that may

be listed in the bulletin. The team member could also be prepared to invite the

attender home for a meal or out to lunch. Sometimes during this second visit, the

Pastor’s class should be mentioned (see Appendix Twelve). They should be told

that if they ever decide to attend the class, the team member who befriended them

would be delighted to accompany them. If the second time attender was introduced

to the team leader or to the assimilation director, they could make a brief Sunday

afternoon call expressing their pleasure in having them return to church and the joy

of meeting them.
 68

One of the people who was introduced to them for the first time on this

second visit could write a short, personal, hand-written note to be mailed during the

next week. These type letters should be very friendly and folksy. Make sure they

know who the writer is by referring back to the former service. Invite them to the

same social they were invited to by their team member friend. Let them know that

their friend and the writer of the note will be present. The note writer should

jot down their personal phone number in the letter so the newcomer can call if more

information is needed.

A mailing from the church the week after the newcomer’s second visit should

introduce the second time attender to the Pastor’s Class for newcomers (see

Appendix Twelve). This is a class that is taught by the pastor during the Sunday

School hour. It is four weeks in length and is a continuous class. It deals with the

history, the ministries and the philosophy of the church, opportunities for family

involvement, the purpose and vision of the church, and some basic doctrines that

would involve salvation and growth in Christ. There should also be information

about upcoming social events or church activities that the newcomers might be

interested in.

The team member should call on Saturday morning to invite the newcomer to

join them in attending the Pastor’s Class the next morning. The newcomer will have

already heard about the class the Sunday before, got a mailing about it during the

week and now is being personally invited to attend. The team member must

accompany the newcomer to this class. This means that the team member
 69

may have to make arrangements if they have other responsibilities that might

conflict. The attendance with the newcomer is of utmost importance. After they are

in the class a couple of weeks and have met other people, the team member may

assume other duties and not attend with the newcomer. The team member must be

sensitive to the newcomer concerning this issue.

If the Newcomer does not return the following Sunday

The church should not give up on reaching people simply because they do

not return the following Sunday. The call on Saturday by the team member should

reveal any reasons for not returning. Appropriate responses must be in place.

Mailings, phone calls, personal letters and even visits should be in order just as they

are for those who do return. The average church is often too quick to forget the

person who does not return immediately. When the church does this it is

communicating to these people a wrong message. The church can certainly not

make people return, but we must remove all excuses that they might have because

of our failures. The harvest is too important to give up so easily. These, along with

anyone who attends the church, should be added to a general mail list. News

concerning social events and special meetings should be sent to all visitors at least

once every two months. Local people, even when they do not return, should be kept

on this mailing list for at least one year. A crisis they may face during the year may

precipitate the need for the church in their lives.

 70

Record Keeping

For all of this to work, accurate records are a must if people are to be

followed up properly. This is where the assimilation secretary is so important.

Suggested record cards can be found in Appendix Thirteen. The team members

must turn in reports to their team leaders who will turn in reports to the assimilation

director. The secretary will keep accurate records of all newcomers, which team

member has adopted them, what the results of the cookie visit was, the phone calls,

the second week follow up, if they returned for a second visit, and if they received

mailings. The pastor should be given a master list of all newcomers, their

addresses, phone numbers and who the team members are who have adopted

them. If the pastor has any questions about the progress of a newcomer, he can

talk with the team member as well as check with the assimilation secretary. This is

very helpful to a pastor of a growing church who cannot keep up with details about

everyone. This will also aid the pastor in determining when he should make a

pastoral visit.

The Final Factor

With all of this in mind, one must deal with the newcomer who is returning

again and again to the church. This must include the weeks and even months that

follow the initial visit of the newcomer. The goal is to bring the newcomer to the

point of assimilation into the local church. For those who are unbelievers at the time

they first attend, it will include winning them to Christ, baptism, uniting with the

church, growth in grace, involvement in the social fabric of the church and also
 71

an active role or part in ministry. Some who are newcomers are already Christians

and may already be scripturally baptized. Some may be mature, growing Christians

who have moved into the area while others may be immature and need a great

amount of help. Many of the circumstances that are necessary for assimilation will

be similar. Once the unbeliever has been saved and joined the church and once the

Christian newcomer has joined the church, much is left to be done in the

assimilation process. L. L. Morriss commenting on this, said, “It seems to me that

one of the contributing causes for the failure to conserve members in the average

church is that the church ceased to have a concern for the new member after he

joins.”79 Heck, in his book on assimilation states,

Any practical program for assimilating new members must be set…to the first
six months. This is not to suggest that assimilation should end after that; it only
suggests the crucial nature of that time frame…There are two key periods
during which assimilation can and should take place. The first is the time before
the individual actually unites with the congregation, and the second is the first
six months thereafter.80

It is after people join a church that many drop out. Even though they are

members they are never assimilated, never feel like they really belong, never get

involved in the mission of the church, and never develop many relationships; thus,

many drop into inactivity. There is a great difference between being a member of a

church and being assimilated into the fabric of the church. It is certainly true that

79 L.L. Morriss, “The Care of New Church Members,” Review and Expositor
(Spring 1963) : 187.
80 Joel D. Heck, New Member Assimilation (St. Louis: Concordia, 1988), pp.

17, 33
 72

the new member has some responsibility in this process but most often it is an issue

of how open and receptive the church is to receiving new members into small

groups and giving them roles and tasks to perform. A person can become a

member of the church and never become a member of a meaningful small group or

ever become involved in an opportunity to serve. Burkum states that

“assimilation has occurred when new members can identify with the purposes,

goals, practices and life of the church.”81 The public service may draw people in

but usually will not keep them. At best it is an entrance into the assimilation process.

The church is often on probation in the mind of the new member long after they join.

Keeping them is greatly affected by relationships and involvement which is found

beyond the worship service in small groups and friendships. “It stands to reason

that the more integrated people are into the social fabric and value system of a

group, the less likely they are to leave.”82 The following sections will deal with what

the church can do to aid in the assimilation process.

81Burkum, A.C.T. – Assimilating New Members, p. 20.

82“Implications of Social theory for Attrition of Church Members,” (Kansas
City: Church of the Nazarene, 1999) , p.1 <[Link]/cg/research/
[Link]> Jan. 8, 2000.
 73

Small Groups

The Importance of a Small Group

To begin with, there can be no doubt that the early church, with its thousands

of converts, met in small groups. Acts 2:46 indicates that the early believers went

from house to house breaking bread. As thousands were saved in the early church,

there is no record of them gathering on Sundays in large municipal buildings or

large church buildings, but in homes (1 Cor. 16:19 and Col. 4:15). There is evidence

they gathered at synagogues as long as they were allowed, but even these were

not very large.

Almost without exception, church growth experts believe that participation in

small groups is vital to the assimilation of newcomers. Peter Wagner identified two

keys to the assimilation of new members. One of those keys was to get the new

member involved in a small group.83 C. Kirk Hadaway identifies several keys to new

member assimilation, one being their involvement in a small group.84 Gary

McIntosh and Glen Martin give five strategies that will enable a church to have an

effective assimilation process. One is to “help people become involved in a small

group.”85 Lyle Schaller says that face to face groups are essential in the church

83C. Peter Wagner, Leading Your Church to Growth (Ventura, California:

Regal, 1984), p. 206.
84 Shuman, The Assimilation of New Adult Members, p. 15.
85 Gary McIntosh, Finding Them, Keeping Them, p. 16-17.
 74

and “may be the most important single factor in that church’s ability to assimilate

new members.”86 Suzanne Braden in talking about the importance of the first year

in the life of a new member says, “Relationships are the key ingredient in the life of

a congregation. People are attracted to churches that demonstrate strong

relationships, and most will remain active in a church only if they are able to

experience close relationships with others.”87

The Benefits of a Small Group

There are numerous benefits to these small groups. They contribute to the

spiritual, emotional and physical needs of the participants. People can find love

and support during difficult times in their lives. It provides more accountability. Small

groups can incorporate new people more effectively since it is easier to develop

relationships and a sense of belonging in a small group as compared to a large

group. “Usually the smaller the group, the greater the involvement of its members.

The larger groups demand less of their members and they tend to be less involved,

less committed and have interactions which are less intense.”88 The small group

becomes a bridge for friendships and relationships. It is a place where

86Schaller, Assimilating New Members, p. 100.

87Suzanne G. Braden, The First Year: Incorporating New Members
(Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 1987), p. 19.
88 Church of the Nazarene, p. 1.
 75

koinonia89 (fellowship) can take place.90 Involvement in a small group reduces

the chances a new member will drop out. Though many small groups are not

primarily for the purpose of evangelism, they do help conserve the results of

evangelism. Different small groups have the potential for reaching different

people.91

The Number of Small Groups Needed

More research about small groups by Win and Charles Arn show that a

church should have at least seven relational groups in place for every one hundred

members. This is a ratio of 7:100. They have found that the lower the ratio, the

lower the growth of the average church and the greater the drop out ratio is. This

makes the number of small groups in a church very important to the assimilation

process.92 If there are few small groups in a church, either they have grown to large

groups or there are just a few with only a few people involved. It is not difficult to

establish a lot of different small groups in a church when one considers the various

groups a church may have. The church should consider choirs, Sunday School

classes, senior citizen’s fellowships, softball teams, lady’s groups,

89James Strong, A Concise Dictionary of the words in the Greek New

Testament (McClean, Virginia: MacDonald), p. 42. The Greek word koinwnia
(koinonia) is translated in the King James Bible as fellowship, communion,
communication, distribution and contribution. It involves the oneness of God’s
people as they share their lives one with another.
90 Brand, p. 138.
91 Ratz, The Velcro Church, p. 44.
92 Win and Charles Arn, Closing the Evangelistic Backdoor, p. 30.
 76

men’s groups, work groups, retreats, Bible Studies, various ministry groups,

newcomer classes, new member classes, and missionary groups as small groups.

The Need for New Small Groups

Even when there is a good ratio of small groups to the total membership,

there may still be a difficulty assimilating newcomers into these groups. This is one

of the reasons a church must consider starting new groups on a regular basis.

Heck, in his book on assimilation, believes in starting new groups since old,

established groups are often difficult for new people to break into. “The longer a

group is in existence, the greater the instinct for self-preservation and the stronger

the desire to maintain existing friendship ties.”93

Win and Charles Arn also suggest a new group ratio of 1:5. For every five

relational groups in the church, one should have been started in the past two years.

They believe that most groups reach a saturation point after 12-18 months

from their formation. When a class is closed to new people, new people will be

repelled not drawn. This usually results in a lack of growth and a failure to

assimilate new people. Once these people try to penetrate a small group but find it

difficult or impossible, they often will not try another group. This often leads to a

higher drop out rate for new members. Of course this is not always the case, but in

the average small group this happens. Some may come into this group and others

may leave, but it is usually plateaued. New classes and new groups usually draw

93 Heck, New Member Assimilation, p. 27.

 77

new people, especially adults. A church that desires to grow should consider

starting new adult Sunday School classes. Don not force the division of older

classes, just start new ones. Sunday School classes seem to be the most logical

and the easiest new groups to start.94

In addition, Shuman concludes there is a great need to start new small

groups. Usually after a person has been in a church for two or more years, they are

about saturated with all the friends and relationships that they have time and energy

to handle. As a result, new members and newcomers may find it hard to penetrate

their sphere of fellowship. New groups made up of new people will readily accept

others.95

Mills supports the previous research by saying, “A church cannot grow

beyond its ability to assimilate people into the infrastructure (group life) of the

church. If groups/classes are ingrown or exclusive, new people have difficulty

becoming assimilated into the church. Starting new groups is the best way to guard

against exclusiveness.”96

94Win and Charles Arn, Closing the Evangelistic Backdoor, p. 30.

95Shuman, The Assimilation of New Adult Members, p. 89.
96 Steve Mills, “Who is Holding the Rope?” (Springfield, Missouri:

Assemblies of God, 1997), p. 1. <[Link]/wbp/leader_

development/9301>Jan. 8, 2000.
 78

The Sunday School as a Key Small Group

The small Sunday School structure provides one of the best means to

properly assimilate people into the local church. Unless the Sunday School class is

very large or is exclusive and saturated, it is the most logical small group in the

church to begin assimilating the newcomer. Even though the potential is there, most

Sunday School classes do very little in the assimilation of newcomers into the

church. This is why most Sunday School classes (especially adult classes) must be

examined and organized to support the assimilation process.

The class must have a teacher with a burden to reach and keep people for

Christ. The teacher must indoctrinate his or her class concerning the mission of the

harvest. He must teach his class to be open and warm toward newcomers.

Each class should have an outreach coordinator. The names and phone numbers

of adult newcomers who attend the worship services must be passed on to the

outreach coordinator in the adult classes that are appropriate for their age or needs

(such as single parent). The same should be true with the younger newcomers as

well. The coordinator should make contact with the newcomers to build a relational

bridge. Each class should have a hospitality coordinator. This

person should be looking for ways to welcome the newcomers and to plan socials

which will be conducive to fellowship and the building of new relationships. These

informal gatherings help assimilate people into the church. Adult classes should

have at least one social event every two months. “Relationships are built by
 79

playing together as well as praying together.”97 The church must provide

opportunities for friendships to develop. This will not happen in the worship services

alone.

Other Small Groups in the Church

There are numerous other small groups a church can have. The church

must be creative as it seeks to start new small groups for the purpose of

assimilating newcomers into the church and reaching lost souls. Some of the small

groups a church may have or consider are: choirs (adult, youth, Senior citizens),

Senior citizen groups, special groups for ladies (all the ladies of the church, single

mothers, mothers with small babies), missionary societies, softball teams, visitation

teams, prayer groups, canvassing teams, helping hand groups and Bible studies.

Information should be given to the leaders of the various small groups in the

church concerning these new people. According to age and interests, these leaders

should make contact with these new people in order to get them involved with

members of the church. Sunday School teachers, senior citizens leaders, youth

workers, children’s directors, and heads of social events should be given

names, addresses and phone numbers of these new people. If the approach to

these new people communicates that the church is trying to get something from

them in order to benefit the church, rather than offering to give to them, it will not

97 Detter, The Assessment of Newcomer Assimilation, p. 82.

 80

be received very well. The church should be ministering to them instead of them

ministering to the church. The motive of the small group for wanting to incorporate

a newcomer or new member is very important. Not only is the small group within

the church essential to the assimilation process, but so also is the newcomer’s

involvement in a task or role within the church.

Involvement

The Importance of Involvement

Just as a newcomer’s involvement in small groups is vital to their

assimilation, so is their involvement in the ministry of the church. The church must

help them find a task or role in the church’s ministry. Peter Wagner identified two

keys to the assimilation of new members. One was to get the new member

involved in a small group. The other key was to assign the new member a task

within the local church.98 This is affirmed by Gary McIntosh and Glen Martin.99

Members who do not get involved in the ministry of the church by taking a

role or doing a task in the church, usually drop out of the church and become

inactive.100 Involvement in a task gives them a sense of importance, of purpose and

responsibility. It makes them feel needed. “Whether new members volunteer on

their own initiative or are asked to serve in a specific area of ministry in the local

church, they must be committed to some ministry in order to be completely

98 Wagner, Leading Your Church to Growth, p. 206.

99 Gary McIntosh, Finding Them, Keeping Them, pp. 16-17.
100 Brand, The Development of Strategies, p. 132.
 81

assimilated into that church.”101 People are drawn together when they work

together. If a person does not get involved in ministry it will hinder their assimilation.

Working together also builds relationships.102 A failure to work together will keep a

person from identifying with his new church family. 103

Providing Opportunities for Involvement

Opportunities must be provided for people to work together in the church.

Win and Charles Arn have concluded that for every one hundred people a church

has in the worship services, it should have at least sixty roles or tasks. In

many of the fundamental churches a small group of people are fulfilling most of

the tasks within the church. The 80/20 principle is that 80 percent of the work is

done by 20 percent of the people. This work needs to be distributed more evenly

among the congregation. Often it is not that others will not do, it is they have never

been given the opportunity or they have never be trained to do. This lack of

opportunity actually creates an environment within the church that produces inactive

church members.104

A job list should be made of opportunities within the church. This list should

be a part of a new member’s packet. It should include basic responsibilities for

each task, the approximate time needed to fulfill the task, the particular time the

101 Burkum, A.C.T. – Assimilating New Members, p. 40.

102 Detter, The Assessment of Newcomer Assimilation, p. 55.
103 Ratz, The Velcro Church, p. 45.
104 Win and Charles Arn, Closing the Evangelistic Backdoor, p. 30.
 82

task would need to be done, the name and phone number of the person to contact if

interested in getting involved, any qualifications (such as skills needed or length of

membership), and upcoming training opportunities for the particular task.

Providing training for Involvement

If the church expects people to get involved in ministry and do it well, the

church must provide training. This is one of the responsibilities of the pastor (Eph.

4:11-12). The church must give the people the knowledge and the skill training

needed for the task so people can approach the work with confidence and not

become frustrated and stop. Training need not be long and elaborate but it must be

adequate. There should be training sessions taking place during the year for the

various ministry opportunities of the church. Soul winning classes, teacher training,

bus ministry training, nursery worker’s training, jail ministry training, rest home

ministry training, and assimilation ministry training should be a part of the

church calendar. People must be helped to discover their spiritual gifts through

talent surveys and spiritual gift analysis. People must be taught so they can be

matched with ministry that fits their gifts. Involvement according to gifts and

interests usually result in these people remaining active in the church.105

105 Burkum, A.C.T. – Assimilating New Members, p. 45.

 83

Maturity

Training is important, but if the church expects to assimilate new members

into the church it must realize the importance of spiritual maturity. Spiritual maturity

was the goal of Paul’s preaching, teaching and warning (Col. 1:28). Spiritual

maturity is also the work of pastors and teachers today (Eph. 4:11-16). A person

cannot be properly assimilated into the local church if they do not grow and become

a productive member. This maturity and growth takes place in the context of the

local church. Burkum states that “God seems to have no plan for maturing

individuals during this dispensation apart from a dynamic relationship with the

community of believers. Salvation is an individual matter but sanctification is

corporate.”106

McIntosh and Martin give five strategies that will enable a church to have an

effective assimilation process. One of these strategies is to help the people grow

in their faith.107 The immature believer is much more apt to become inactive than

the mature, growing Christian. Because of this, the maturity of each new member

must be high on the list of priorities the church has for the new member.

This can be done through personal discipleship. A mature Christian in the

church can disciple a new member; thus, building a friendship as well as helping

106 Detter, The Assessment of Newcomer Assimilation, p. 23.

107 Gary McIntosh, Finding Them, Keeping Them, p. 17.
 84

the new member to grow in his or her faith. A new member’s class can also be

effective in this process. The Sunday School is a convenient place for the new

member to attend and study the Bible with a small group. A properly organized

Bible study can be helpful in the maturing process. The Bible is the key factor in the

growth of a Christian. The new member packet should have a Bible reading

schedule that is explained by the pastor, a deacon or an assigned person who gives

the packet to the new member. The new member must learn to trust the Bible as

the rule and authority for all they believe and how they live. 108

Classes for the Newcomer and the New Member

Newcomer Class

Instead of regular Sunday School, a class for newcomers should be added.

This is not a new converts class, though new converts could certainly attend. The

purpose of this class is to acquaint interested newcomers with the philosophy, the

vision, and the ministry of the church; to help them form friendships and

relationships; and to give them some basic Bible teaching in the area of salvation

and spiritual growth. This class could continue for four weeks and run continuously.

It should be structured so a person could enter at anytime and go through the four

week cycle. It should be taught by the Pastor. This class might be called The

Pastor’s Doorway Class or The Welcome Class or even The Discovery Class.

Team members who have befriended a newcomer would want to invite and

108 Burkum, A.C.T. – Assimilating New Members, p. 30.

 85

accompany the newcomer to this class. The class should always have existing

church members in it for the purpose of building relationships with the newcomers.

This also provides a small group which is one of the essentials in the assimilation

process (see Appendix Twelve).

New Member Class

Morris explains the need for a new member’s class by saying, “It seems to

me that one of the contributing causes for the failure to conserve members in the

average church is that the church ceases to have concern for the new member after

he joins.”109 Ephesians 1:15-19 reveals the heart and desire of Paul for new

Christians. New members need to know the importance of church membership and

what is expected of them. This class helps them become familiar with the beliefs,

purposes, vision, history, and practices of the church.110 It is here that more friends

and relationships can be established. It is also here that ministry opportunities can

be presented. Appendix Fourteen gives a list of suggested topics for the new

member’s class

Friendship Opportunities

The church must be so structured to aid in giving opportunities to build

friendships. There must be opportunities for the newcomer to make friends and for

the congregation to befriend the newcomer. This involves the church environment

109 Morriss, The Care of New Church Members, p. 187.

110 Burkum, A.C.T. – Assimilating New Members, p. 32.
 86

into which the new Christian is entering. Win and Charles Arn recommend a number

of friendships that are necessary for proper assimilation. Each new person in the

church should be able to identify at least seven friends in the church within the first

six months. Friendship seems to be the strongest bond cementing new members to

their new congregations. Studies have shown those who have not made these

friends usually drop out of church and go back to old friends and often their old

ways of life. There is a direct correlation between the number of friends a new

person makes within the first six months and the rate of activity and the rate of drop

out or inactivity. The more friends made, the less likely they are to drop out of

church. Arn furnishes the following table below to track this correlation.111

50 Active and 50 Non-active members

Number of
friends in the
church within 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
the first six
months

Active 0 0 0 1 2 2 l8 13 12

Drop Outs 8 13 14 8 4 2 1 0 0

Table 1

111 Win and Charles Arn, Closing the Evangelistic Backdoor, p. 30.
 87

McIntosh and Martin also agree that making friends is one of the key

elements in the assimilation process. 112 In explaining the need for friends, McIntosh

and Martin use the illustration of the giant redwood tree in California. The roots of

these trees grow close to the surface of the ground. These trees are vulnerable to

strong winds. One notices how they grow in groves with their roots

and branches intertwined. This enables them to literally hold each other up. They

liken this to people who need others to help them when they face difficulties in life.

This is one of the great needs for having friends at church.

Membership in the Church

In spite of these friendships, one of the fundamental weaknesses in many

Baptist Churches is how people are welcomed into the membership and then how

quickly they are forgotten afterwards. Membership in the average Baptist Church is

often seen as an unimportant event. Often it involves no more than coming forward

in church, giving your profession of faith, filling out a card of information and having

the pastor tell the people you have come to join and a simple vote by the

congregation. If a strategy is not in place to help the new member become a

productive member, they will often become inactive. Experience shows that 80-90

percent of the inactive become inactive during the first six months of membership.

There is much to be done to insure that new members who have come through the

front door do not go out the back door. The church must make sure no one is lost

112 Gary McIntosh, Finding Them, Keeping Them, pp. 16-17.

 88

once he or she has been reached through the ministries of our churches. There are

many ways that new members can become assimilated into the church. What has

already been said in this paper is vital to such assimilation (small groups,

involvement in ministry, maturity, classes, friendship opportunities).

Receiving New Members

There are three ways a person is usually received into the membership of a

Baptist Church: 1) baptism upon their profession of faith in Christ, 2) transfer of

letter from another church of like faith, 3) statement of faith. There are several

examples that can be taught to stress the importance of membership. People must

be taught that membership involves more than walking forward and being voted on.

Church membership is a commitment of their lives to a body of believers.

The church this writer pastors will never receive anyone into membership if

they walk forward at the end of a service unless they have been previously dealt

with about membership. Many unsaved people may enter the church when there is

not a thorough procedure for receiving people into membership. Every church must

decide what their procedure will be.

Joining the church should be considered a major event for the new member.

The church should celebrate the reception of new members. A receiving line should

be established on the day they join for members to come by and give them the right

hand of fellowship (Gal. 2:9). A future reception could be planned. Pictures could be

taken and general information gathered and placed upon a

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special new member board (see appendix fifteen). Some churches present several

people who have requested membership over several weeks on one day with a

reception following the service in which they join. The picture of the new member

could be scanned into a computer along with the general information and could be

mailed to the membership which would facilitate them getting to know the new

members much more quickly. See Appendix Sixteen for details on this special

mailing.

Some churches require a membership class before the final vote by the

congregation to be received as a member. Even if there is no such class prior to

membership, the person should certainly know what is expected of a church

member. The importance of church membership must be communicated before

they join. It not only prevents people who have no interest in commitment from

joining, but it also makes the person joining sense that what they are doing is

important and gives them a sense of belonging to something worthwhile. This is an

aid to the assimilation process. Most serious minded people want to be a part of

something that really matters.

A church could have a new member booklet or packet that is taken to the

new member’s home by a deacon or person on a membership committee. An

appointment should be made with the new member to ensure ample time to do this.

The booklet should contain a copy of the church constitution and by-laws, church

covenant and doctrinal statement. It should also contain information explaining the

importance of church membership. A brief history of the church,

 90

along with pictures depicting its history would be an asset for any new member as

they seek to identify with an existing congregation. Along with the history, a pictorial

church directory could be included to aid the new member in getting to know people

within the church. A description of all the church ministries should be included.

Information about stewardship, tithing envelopes, and giving procedures should be

a part of the packet. Placing a welcome letter from the pastor near the front of the

packet is important. Also, a Bible reading schedule and a how to study the bible

lesson could be a part of this packet. This packet should not just be handed to the

new members but should be reviewed with them. Before leaving the home, the new

member should be convinced of how delighted the church is that they are a part,

how important their part will be, what is expected of them and a decision made

concerning a ministry within the church they will consider. This would be an

excellent time to find out if they are involved in a small group which is essential to

assimilation.

New member follow up

In order for all of this to be successful, someone should be assigned to every

new member to insure that proper follow up takes place. A church could consider

having lay pastors take on this responsibility. There should be a predetermined plan

for visits, calls, and mailings to the new member (see Appendix Thirteen for the new

member follow up tracking card). Keep the new member informed about church life

through orientation classes, news letters, regular mailings from the church, and

announcements. Sponsor a special event for all new members – an evening with
 91
the pastor and pastoral staff. The team member who originally befriended them

should be allowed to accompany them to this event. This could be done on a

monthly or bi-monthly basis depending on the size and growth of the church. A

church might consider sending out a one month anniversary letter to assure the new

member they are not taken for granted. This could be repeated on their one year

membership anniversary. Accurate records would need to be kept and a person

given this responsibility. There are many other ideas that can be used to help

assimilate the new members into the local church.

Monitoring the Assimilation Process

If a church expects to determine whether or not they are being successful in

assimilating newcomers into the local church, then they must be able to measure

this success. This not only helps the church know when it is succeeding but also

where there are weak spots in the process. Since churches are dealing with the

lives and souls of people no effort will be too great in helping to insure complete

assimilation into the church.

Win Arn gives seven warning signs of an infrastructure problem that will

result in the hindrance to assimilation. He states:

1. A significant number of people are becoming inactive or are transferring

to other churches
2. Newcomers are having difficulty gaining a sense of belonging
3. Enlisting workers is difficult
4. Minor conflicts destabilize the congregation’s equilibrium, and people
leave the church
5. Pastoral care and visitation are primarily the responsibility of the pastor
and staff
 92
6. Attrition rate increases with pastoral changes
7. People’s needs cannot be met through the existing groups113

Joel D. Heck in his book on assimilation says one can know if a member is being

assimilated into the life of the congregation. He says the church must ask the

following questions:

1. Does he or she have at least seven significant friendships in the church?

2. Does the person regularly attend worship services?
3. Does he or she have a meaningful and appropriate role/task within the
church?
4. Does the person actively participate in a small group experience?114

Furthermore, Shuman gives eight characteristics of an assimilated church

member:

1. Has at least seven friends in the church

2. Understands and is active in pursuing the goals of the church
3. Attends worship at least eight times per month
4. Reports a sense of spiritual growth and development as a result of his or
her involvement
5. Regularly gives of his finances to the church
6. Shares his or her faith with unchurched friends and family
7. Has a meaningful role or task in the church
8. Is actively involved in one or more small groups115

Shuman also has an eight session seminar for the new members which deals with

all eight of these characteristics.116 This type teaching can be a great asset in the

assimilation process. The themes of his eight sessions are as follows:

113 Win Arn (qtd. in Steve Mills, “Who is Holding the Rope,” p. 2).
114 Heck, New Member Assimilation, pp. 34-42
115 Shuman, The Assimilation of New Adult Members, pp. 33-34.
116 Ibid. p. 88.
 93
Session 1 – Developing friendships
Session 2 – Mission and vision of the church
Session 3 – Worship participation
Session 4 – Spiritual Growth
Session 5 – Christian Stewardship
Session 6 – Basics for sharing your faith
Session 7 – Involvement in a role or a task
Session 8 – Involvement in a small group117

In order to know if the new members are meeting the criteria of an

assimilated member, there must be a scheduled check-up. There must be a system

in place to review new members after two months and then again after six months.

A suggested check list can be found in Appendix Thirteen. Someone must be

assigned this task and have accountability or this particular aspect will go undone.

The assimilation director could assign the team member who originally befriended

this person. This is crucial to helping close the back door of the church. The first

signs of inactivity must be noticed and addressed. When problems are seen in the

lives of new members, action must be taken to encourage and help them in

becoming a vital, integrated, incorporated part of the local church.

117 Ibid. pp. 88-124.

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CONCLUSION

The nature of ministry to people must draw upon the person and ministry of

our Lord Jesus Christ. He has set the example for the church to follow. He came to

do the work of the Father and has commissioned members of the church to

continue His work in this world. His work in this dispensation includes the ministry of

reconciliation and bringing people to a right relationship with God in salvation. It also

includes cooperating with the Holy Spirit in bringing people into a meaningful

relationship with His local church. God has a community of believers, a body, a

family, a flock, a church to which He wants every believer to be properly associated

with.

Because of this, the church must rise to the challenge of winning people and

assimilating them into the local church so they might be active, productive disciples

who will ultimately come to maturity in Christ and bring glory to God. Since people

are like sheep without a shepherd (Mt. 9:35-37), the church must have compassion

on them. The harvest truly is plenteous but the laborers are few. The assimilation

ministry can be greatly used of God to reach the lost whom God allows to come into

our assemblies and then see them incorporated into the church so they can grow,

serve, fellowship and minister for the Lord.

Once this great need is understood by the pastor and others in the

leadership of the church, it must be taught and shared with the congregation in an
 95

effort to inform them, inspire them, and involve them in this ministry of assimilation.

The church cannot assume people will be assimilated into the church without a

plan, a strategy, preparation and training. When the church is awakened to its

responsibility, then it can accomplish the will of God in this area.

Some of the most basic needs of people have been proven to be the making

of friends and the building of relationships. This must be done with the people God

sends to His church. Small groups must be provided as a haven for friendships to

be made and grow. Opportunities must be given to new members to serve and

become active in ministry. The pastor must preach and teach in such a way as to

help bring men and women to maturity in Christ. Christians must reach out to and

love the harvest for whom Christ died. It must be done now and it must be done

effectively. It is the work of the church.

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APPENDIX ONE

SUGGESTED SCHEDULES FOR ASSIMILATION TEAM TRAINING

The following are only suggested schedules. Each local church will need to

find the best time for their senario. It is suggested that approximately five hours of

initial training be given to each team member. Other training will be given as the

ministry grows and continues. Baby sitters will need to be provided to insure that all

interested people can attend. It is suggested that consideration be given to having

the training off the church campus, especially if there is a large number of people.

By utilizing a community building in the community it will add emphasis upon what is

being done.

Schedule: Option One

Saturday : 9:00 – 10:30am = Training

10:30-10:45am = Break (light refreshments)
12:00 –12:45pm = Light lunch provided for the team members
in training
12:45 – 3:15pm = Training

Schedule: Option Two

Monday and Tuesday: 6:30 – 8:00pm = Training

8:00 – 8:15pm = Refreshments
8:15 – 9:15pm = Training
 97

Schedule: Option Three

Friday: 7:00-9:00pm = Training

9:00-9:30pm = Fellowship time with refreshments
Saturday: 9:00-10:30am = Training
10:30-10:45 = Refreshments
10:45 –12:15pm = Training
 98

APPENDIX TWO

PRAYER AND THE ASSIMILATION PROCESS

Since reaching newcomers and keeping them through assimilation is a

spiritual battle, we must use spiritual weapons. II Corinthians 10:4-5 says, “For the

weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down

of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself

against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the

obedience of Christ.”

There should be a strategy to enlist people to pray for the salvation, the

growth and the assimilation of newcomers into the local church. Below are some

simple suggestions concerning how prayer for the assimilation process can be

organized.

1. When visitor (guest) cards are given out to newcomers in the services, they can
be invited to write any prayer request on the back they wish the church to pray
with them about. These requests are given to the assimilation director who in
turn gets them to prayer groups. This request can be a source of personal
contact with the newcomer.

2. Senior Citizens can be mobilized and organized into prayer groups. This does
not have to be strictly for assimilation purposes but can certainly involve
newcomers. These groups can meet prior to or after a church service for the
express purpose of praying for newcomers and their needs. The team member
who has befriended the newcomer should be included in this prayer time. As
people see God answer prayer, these senior saints will begin to get the burden
and want to be more involved in the assimilation process.

3. A men’s prayer band can be formed that meets on Saturday nights at the
church. This prayer time can serve several purposes. The emphasis should be
 99

on the Sunday services. These men can pray for God to send visitors that the
church can minister to. This will enable the pastor during the services to let the
newcomers know we have prayed and it is no accident they are there. Names of
those who have just started coming can be prayed for. New members should
also be a part of the prayer time. Prayer time should be given on behalf of the
assimilation director, the team leaders and the team members as well. This
involves more people in the assimilation process.

4. Team members can meet together during the week (prior to or after services are
more convenient for people) to pray for newcomers and new members. This can
be a time of sharing with each other and with the Lord. This will keep the burden
of assimilation before them. Certainly, team members will want to meet as a
group on the Sunday they are assigned to serve in greeting and befriending
newcomers.

5. The pastor should meet with the assimilation director and the team leaders in his
office at least once a month for prayer. This is not an organizational meeting but
a sharing time and praying time. Team members should be one of the focus’s of
this prayer time. The overall assimilation ministry must be bathed in prayer.

6. Some churches have a prayer group who is praying during a regular scheduled
visitation time. The writer of this paper has a group of praying men called the
“Abraham Group.” They meet on the night of the regularly scheduled
churchwide visitation. A list of people visiting, whom they are visiting, and the
purpose of the visit is given to them. They pray while others are out visiting. This
type group could be organized to pray on Monday nights when the “cookie visits”
are being made. Shut-ins of the church can be involved in this part of
assimilation. They should be given a specific time to pray and specific names to
pray for.

This above suggestions are in no way exhaustive. There are many other ways

people can be challenged to pray for the assimilation ministry of the church. Other

groups can be used.

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APPENDIX THREE

CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ASSIMILATED CHURCH MEMBER118

1. An assimilated member has at least seven friends in the church.

2. An assimilated member understands and is active in pursuing the goals of the

church.

3. An assimilated member attends worship at least three times per month.

4. An assimilated member reports a sense of spiritual growth and development as

a result of his or her involvement in the church.

5. An assimilated member regularly gives to the church

6. An assimilated member shares his or her faith with unchurched friends and
family.

7. An assimilated member has a meaningful role or task in the church, appropriate

to his or her spiritual gifts.

8. An assimilated member is actively involved in a small group.

118 Shuman, The Assimilation of New Adult Members, p. 132.

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APPENDIX FOUR

THE ASSIMILATION TEAM’S SUNDAY SCHEDULE

1. Before the Morning Service Begins

A. Meet with the team in a designated area at least twenty minutes before the
service begins. You may want to consider meeting before Sunday School,
depending on the time and schedule of services. This time is for last minute
instructions, encouragement and prayer. This is a ministry for the souls of
men and women. Spiritual preparation is necessary for such a ministry. The
meeting should be brief and should be led by the team leader.

B. The team should be in the services a minimum of fifteen minutes prior to its
beginning. The members of the assimilation team should be dismissed from
Sunday School or other duties in order to be in the auditorium.

c. The team members should be looking for what Dan Houts calls “divine
appointments.” The team member should greet the newcomers and seek to
build a friendship with them before service begins. See appendix five for a
suggested conversation. If there are no newcomers the team members
should pray for the Lord’s guidance to minister to a new member or a
member that needs encouragement.

2. During the Morning Service

A. The team members who are ministering that Sunday should sit at the back
of the auditorium. This will allow them to observe newcomers who receive
visitor cards (see appendix eight for a sample visitor card). When the ushers
receive the cards back during the service, the team members will meet in the
foyer or a room provided off from the auditorium to distribute the visitor cards.
If a team member befriended a newcomer prior to the start of the service,
they will take that person’s card.

B. The team members should pray for the newcomer during the service. When
the service ends, the team member should quietly slip down the isle a few
pews behind the newcomer they have been assigned. This could be done
quietly during the benediction. This will allow the team member to be near
the newcomer so they can reach them before they exit the auditorium.
 102

3. After the Morning Service

A. The team member should spend some time with the newcomer after the
conclusion of the service. This is a good time to introduce the newcomer to
the pastor and other team members. Genuine concern and acceptance
should be shown during this time. Sensitivity to the needs of the newcomer
after a Bible sermon has just been preached, can pay great dividends.
Though they did not publicly respond to the gospel, they may be very
receptive afterwards.

B. Once the newcomers have left the building, the team members should have
a brief meeting to share blessings from the contacts. The orange Assimilation
Tracking Card should be filled in and given to the team leader. This will
record the results of the team members interaction with the newcomer. The
team leaders will give these cards to either the director or assimilation
secretary.

C. The team members should be given a Week One Follow-up Tracking Card to
be filled out the following week. This will record the results of the Monday
night cookie visit (see appendix thirteen ) and the Saturday follow-up call
inviting them to return the next Sunday (see appendix eleven). This card
must be given to the team leader the following Sunday. He will make sure the
information is given to the assimilation secretary for recording.
 103

APPENDIX FIVE

A SAMPLE CONVERSATION WITH A NEWCOMER ON SUNDAY MORNING

1. How to introduce yourself to newcomer

1) “Hi, my name’s ___________; what’s yours?” John! “John, I have a hard

time remembering names, would it be alright if I wrote your name down?”

2) “How long have you been coming to this church?” This is our first Sunday.
“That’s great. It’s good to have you. I always enjoy meeting new people who
come to our church. I believe you will enjoy the services. We have a good
church.”

3) “Introduce me to your family.” (if it is a family) Pay special attention to the

wife’s name and the children’s names also. Repeat them so you can
remember them or write them down also.

2. How to Learn more about them.

1) Ask the children what school they go to and what grade they are in. Ask them
if they like school.
2) Say to parents, “you have some wonderful kids. I’m sure you stay busy with
them. I know I do with my kids (or my kids are grown but my grandkids keep
me going).” (you could stop here and tell a little about your family)
3) “You folks live here in King?” No, we live in Rural Hall. “We’ve have a
number of people in our church from Rural Hall. Where in Rural Hall?”
4) “How long have you folks lived in Rural Hall?”
a) If less than 1 or 2 years – “Where did you folks live before moving here?”
[Link].
b) If for many years – “Do you have family who live around here?”
Yes, all our family lives around Winston-Salem.
5) If they have no family living nearby and have not been here very long, they
may be lonely and may be looking friends.
“What’s been the biggest adjustment you’ve had to make moving here?”
“Some people find it hard to make a lot of friends. Have you found this true?”
We’ve made some friends but not too many – mostly at work.
“One of the reasons I like this church so much is that I have found a lot of
friends here – people who really care about each other – really love each
other. The Lord sure has changed my life since I started attending here.”
 104
6) “Where do you work?” – Sarah Lee. “I have a good friend who works in
shipping there.“
7) “How did you find out about our church?” (if a member invited them and
you know that member be sure to speak well of that member).

3. How to find their need

1) “If God would do a miracle for you today, what would you want Him to do?”
(If they hesitate too long – “most of us never think about that do we?”)
2) If they mention some need or if they have already mentioned some other
needs about work, family, etc., then assure them you will be praying for
them.

4. Demonstrate that you really care

1) “I enjoy praying for people because I know the Lord answers pray and meets
our needs. Would it be alright if I prayed with you about _______?”
2) If they didn’t mention anything above to pray about, might say,
“I enjoy praying for people because I know the Lord answers pray and meets
our needs. Is there anything I can pray about with you?”
3) If possible, bow and pray a short simple prayer from your heart, using
their names if possible and remembering their need and thanking the Lord for
them. Be sure you do not embarrass them in any way.

5. Concluding the initial contact

1) “I’ve really enjoyed talking with you folks. You have a wonderful family. I’m
really glad you came today. If I can help you folks in any way, please be sure
to let me know. Again, my name is “Roger….. Roger Baker”. God bless you.

2) If this conversation took place after the service, you would want to conclude
by saying:

“Would it be alright if I introduced you to some of my friends?”

(Be sure to introduce them to your Team Leader and to any other people).
“Before you leave, I want you to meet our pastor.” – bring them to see the
pastor.
 105
APPENDIX SIX

THE ASSIMILATION TEAM’S SCHEDULE FOR WEEK ONE

1. The team member who befriended the newcomer will visit the newcomer on
Monday night if possible. The longer the time before the team member makes
the visit the less effective the visit will be.

2. The team member should be supplied with a small basket of home baked
cookies. This is given to the newcomer by the team member as an expression of
the church’s love and appreciation for the newcomer. The purpose is to make
“deposits of love.”119

3. This should not be a visit where the team member tries to sell the church. It
must be a visit where genuine Christ-like love is expressed. An opportunity to
share the gospel should not be missed but also should not be forced. The team
member must be sensitive to the needs of the newcomer and the leading of the
Lord.

4. The team member should make the newcomer a special object of prayer during
the week. Spiritual battles call for spiritual weapons (2 Cor. 10:4-5).

5. The team member should call the newcomer on Saturday of the same week.
The purpose of the call is to invite the newcomer to visit the church again the
next day. See appendix five for a sample conversation. This call is vital to the
success of getting the newcomer to return.

6. The team member should be waiting on Sunday morning to meet the newcomer
who has promised to return. It is good if the team member can sit with the
newcomer on this second visit. The newcomer should also be introduced to
other caring people in the church.

119 Houts, Team Member Manual, p. 63.

 106

APPENDIX SEVEN

ASSIMILATION MINISTRY
SIGN UP

“Believing that God can use even me to love people and reach them for Christ”

If couples sign, please sign on a separate line. PLEASE PRINT

NAME & PHONE NUMBER TRAINING DATES OK?

(Oct.18-19 – Mon & Tues)

1. ___________________________________ - ____________ yes no

2. ___________________________________ - ____________ yes no

3. ___________________________________ - ____________ yes no

4. ___________________________________ - ____________ yes no

5. ___________________________________ - ____________ yes no

6. ___________________________________ - ____________ yes no

7. ___________________________________ - ____________ yes no

8. ___________________________________ - ____________ yes no

9. ___________________________________ - ____________ yes no

10. __________________________________ - ____________ yes no

11. __________________________________ - ____________ yes no

12. __________________________________ - ____________ yes no

13. __________________________________ - ____________ yes no

14. __________________________________ - ____________ yes no

15. __________________________________ - ____________ yes no

 107

APPENDIX EIGHT

SAMPLE VISITOR CARD

FIRST OR SECOND TIME ATTENDER

“Prayer Request Card”

( ) First time attender ( ) Second time attender Date: __________

Name: ____________________________ Spouse: ______________________

Address: _________________________________________________________
City: _____________________ State: _____ Zip: ________ Phone: __________

Age: ( )under 12 ( )13-18 yr ( ) 19-29 yr ( ) 30-39 yr ( ) 40-55 yr ( ) over 55

( ) single ( ) married ( ) single parent

Your prayer request: _______________________________________________

___ I would like more information about the church Care Leader _______________
___ I am looking for a church home Care Minister ______________
___ I moved into this area in the past 12 months
___ I would like for the pastor to call me Section/Row ______ / _______

AM PM WED OTHER
We are so glad you came today!
 108

APPENDIX NINE

COOKIE VISIT

Purpose: To continue to build a friendship bridge between the

newcomer and the team member who befriended them
on Sunday by giving them this gift of cookies.

Assigned to: The team member who became their friend on Sunday.

Dialogue: Conversation at the door120

“Hello John (or Mary). Remember me? Roger Baker
from Calvary Baptist Church. Just wanted to drop by and
give you a gift and let you know how much we appreciated
you being with us this past Sunday. It’s not a lot, just a batch
of cookies made by one of our best cooks at church. But its
our way of saying we care about you and your family.”
Give them the cookies and wait for their response.

If they invite you in: “Thanks, we’ll stay just a few minutes.” (if you
say this make sure you only stay a few minutes). Good time to ask
them how they liked the church. If there was a need you prayed about,
reassure them you are still praying. If for a sick person, ask them how
they are doing. Be sure to give a testimony of what the Lord means to
you or how you were saved if the opportunity arises.

If they do not invite you in: If you feel comfortable, talk a little at the
door. Then you might want to say, “It was good having you visit
Sunday. If I can be of help to you or your family in any way, just let me
know. By the way, here is a gift certificate for you. Bring this back to
church next Sunday, give it to someone in the book store in the foyer
and they’ll give you your choice of a free book, a sermon tape, or a
coffee mug. I’m sure you will enjoy either one of them. God bless you.
I enjoyed seeing you again. Maybe we can get together sometimes.”

If not home: You may leave it at their door if it is appropriate

and easy for them to find. Make sure you follow up with a phone
call later that same night.

120
Houts, Team Member Manual, pp. 64-65.
 109
APPENDIX TEN

SAMPLE PASTOR’S LETTER TO NEWCOMERS

Church Letterhead

March 16, 2000

Tom Jones
222 Some Streeet
Anywhere, North Carolina 27000

Dear Tom,

It was our joy to have you visit with us this past Sunday.
I hope the services were a blessing in your life. I also hope you
received a friendly and warm welcome at Calvary. I also hope
you could tell we really do care about people. Everyone is
important to us and to the Lord. We are just ordinary people for
whom the Lord has done some wonderful things. We are so
grateful for the changes He has made in our lives. Only the Lord
could do this for us. I’m so glad being a Christian is more than just
being religious.

We really would like to be your friend. I hope you can

return real soon. We are always praying that the Lord will send
people to Calvary that we can be a blessing to. That sure is our
goal. We believe we honor Him when we love people and seek
to minister to them.

If I can ever be of help to you or your family, please don’t

hesitate to call me at 983-3728. Hope to see you real soon. God
bless you.

Yours in Christ,

Roger Baker, Pastor

 110
APPENDIX ELEVEN

SATURDAY MORNING PHONE CALL

This call is made with the intent of inviting the newcomer back to church. The

entire week, no one has actually invited them back to church until Saturday

morning. The same person who befriended them on the previous Sunday and

delivered the cookies earlier in the week will invite them. This makes it much more

personal. If there is no answer on the first call, the team member should call through

out the day on Saturday until they reach someone. It would not be wise to leave a

message on the answering machine unless all other efforts to talk with them

personally have failed. An answering machine is not personal and you do not get a

response from it.

Sample Conversation

“Hello, this is Roger from Calvary Baptist Church. How have you been doing
this week John?” (response) Ask them about any special needs they shared
with you the Sunday before or during the cookie visit. Let them know you
have prayed about these needs. Ask about the family by name. “How’s little
Jane doing? She sure is a sweet little girl.”

“John, Diane and I were talking about how much we enjoyed meeting you
and Sue and little Jane last week. We were wondering, if you don’t have any
place special to go to church tomorrow, we would really like to see you all
again. In fact, you know how crowded our church can be…we were thinking,
I could meet you in the foyer near the front door and Diane could save some
seats so we could sit together tomorrow. Would that be OK?” (response)
“That’s great. I’ll meet you in the foyer about 10:45am. Looking forward to
seeing you tomorrow. I really have enjoyed getting to know you. Tell Sue and
Jane we said hello. God bless you. See you tomorrow John. Good bye.”
 111
APPENDIX TWELVE

PASTOR’S CLASS FOR NEWCOMERS

Schedule:

Week 1: New vision – understanding the goals, purposes and vision of the church

Week 2: New church – understanding the beliefs, history, and style of the church

Week 3: New life – understanding your relationship with Christ

Week 4: New family – understanding ministry and membership

Objectives:

1. Inform – People are often looking for a church that has a clear vision and a
strong sense of mission. Communicating such things as the church’s
history, vision, goals, beliefs and worship style helps newcomers
understand a church.
2. Interact – Relationship in the core of Christianity. It is also one of the key
elements in assimilating a newcomer. Newcomers will build
relationships with others in the class. A warm, friendly, informal
atmosphere should be created. Coffee and light refreshments
help to create such an atmosphere
3. Involve – The class members should be informed about the different ministry
opportunities within the church. Those who have joined should be
helped in finding a place of service. Involvement is one of the vital
keys in the assimilation process.

Considerations:

1. Every newcomer should be invited and encouraged to attend. The team

member who befriended them should invite them and attend with them.
2. Every person who desires membership in the church should be required to
attend. New members need to know the church’s vision and goals.
3. Pastor should lead this class.
4. By the end of the class, newcomers should have built some friendships and
relationships.
5. The class should have a leader and a host/hostess. This should be a member
of the church. This again will help build relational bridges to the congregation.
6. Establish a time (week night, during Sunday School, etc), place, format and a
curriculum.
 112

APPENDIX THIRTEEN

RECORD KEEPING CARDS

SAMPLE ASSIMILATION MINISTRY TRACKING CARD

ASSIMILATION MINISTRY TRACKING CARD

(FIRST VISIT)

Team Leader: _____________________________ Date ____________

Team Member: ____________________________________
Newcomer: _______________________________________

Please give all the information you learned about the guest, such as:

*Did you get to pray with them?

*How did they respond to your ministry (receptive, reluctant)?

*Discern their relation with the Lord?

*Did they reveal any needs?

*Other comments:

*List each family member on back:

 113

SAMPLE WEEK ONE – FOLLOW UP TRACKING CARD

WEEK ONE – FOLLOW UP TRACKING CARD

(Monday and Saturday)

Team Leader: _________________________________ Date ______________

Team Member: __________________________________ Phone _____________
Newcomer: ______________________________________ Phone ____________

1. Monday night cookie Crusade.

2. Saturday morning invitation to Church

_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
 114

NEW MEMBER FOLLOW UP TRACKING CARD

NEW MEMBER FOLLOW UP TRACKING CARD

(For Office Use)

Name of Member ________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________
Phone __________________ Date member joined ____________

Initial
___ Name added to the church mailing list
___ Name added to the Church Phone Book
___ Pastor letter sent the week after member joined
___ Deacon’s letter sent during first month after member joined
___ In home visit to review New Member Booklet
*Ministry they are interested in? _________________________
*Any problems need to be addressed? ___________________
_________________________________________________
___ Six month Assimilation Check list completed
___ One year anniversary letter sent from Pastor

Comments:
 115

SAMPLE ASSIMILATION CHECK LIST

Six Month Assimilation Tracking Card

“Check List”

Team Member ___________________________________ Date _____________

Name of new disciple: _______________________________________________

Steps Accomplished: Date they first attended: _____________________

___ Salvation
___ Baptism
___ Church membership
___ Sunday School class (which? _______________________________)
___ Faithful to church services
___ Involved in a meaningful ministry (what? ___________________________)
___ Completed doorway class or other recommended class _________________
___ Involved in the Assimilation Ministry
___ Other small groups involved in: _____________________________________
___ Daily Bible Reading and Prayer
___ Names of close friends: ____________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Comments:
 116

APPENDIX FOURTEEN

TOPICS FOR A NEW MEMBER’S CLASS*

1. Salvation and assurance

2. Church membership and baptism

3. New life in Christ

4. Growing in Christ

5. The Bible and you

6. The Church and its covenant

7. The Church and its beliefs

8. The Church working together as a team

9. The Church ministering to others

10. The Church - its history and its future

11. The Church and your home

12. Sharing your faith

13. Prayer

14. How to deal with sin

* These are only suggested topics. A church must decide what is best to teach its
new members. It is wise not to spread the classes over too long a period of time.
The pastor or an able teacher should do this vital teaching. The pastor should
certainly want to teach concerning the Church’s history and its future.
 117

APPENDIX FIFTEEN

NEW MEMBER BOARD

1. The New Member should be told what we do with the new member board so
they will know why we want a picture and also why we are asking questions.

2. Have a person assigned to take pictures of new members on the Sunday they
join. If they have children who are not actually joining, the children should
be included in the picture if possible.

3. Briefly interview the new member or give them a short questionnaire to fill in.
Make sure they know this will be used on a public “Getting to Know You” board.
Only general information should be sought. The new member should be free to
give only the information he or she does not mind being made public on the
board. General information should be gathered.

a) Name or names of the new member(s)

b) Address
c) Phone numbers
d) Children’s names
e) Birthdates (no years given for adults without their approval)
f) vocation, hobbies, interests, etc
g) How long they have been a Christian
h) If they are involved in a small group at the present

4. The size and arrangement of the board will depend upon the size and growth
rate of the church. The average church may consider a board where each new
member is given an 8 ½ x 11 space. This should accommodate their picture and
general informaiton. Depending on the growth rate of the church, the board
should hold 8-16 new members. This information should remain on the board for
at least one to three months.

5. A person must be assigned to keep the board up-to-date and very attractive.

6. The title of the board should be “Getting to Know You.” This board should be a
very nice built board with an attractive background. Each person’s picture and
information could be placed on light colored construction paper, which will serve
as a background.

7. The board should be displayed in a very prominent location so that many of the
church people will pass by it. The better the location, the better it will serve its
purpose.
 118

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

 119

APPENDIX SIXTEEN

A SPECIAL NEW MEMBER MAILING FROM THE CHURCH

As has been presented in chapter four of the paper, one of the keys to

assimilation is the newcomer and new member being able to build relationships and

friendships within the church. It has been established that the existing church

members carry much of the responsibility to see that his happens. The church

leadership must make it easy for existing church members to get to know new

members. One way this can be quickly enhanced is through a “New Member

Mailing.”

1. Once the new member has joined and had his or her picture taken
for the “Getting to Know You” board, it can be used for a mailing to
existing church members.

2. The picture can be scanned into a computer and enlarged. This picture
and general information can be sent in the form of a mailing to existing
church members. This will help the existing membership to immediately
identify the new member more quickly. They can now put a name and a
face together. This will also make it more comfortable for an existing
member to approach a new member since they now know their name and
something about them. This will aid the process of assimilation.

3. The following information could be included in the mailing. It should have

been gathered from the brief interview for information for the
“Getting to Know You” board (see appendix fifteen).

a) Name of new member or members

b) Address
c) Phone number (if not unlisted)
d) Children’s names (if any children at home) and ages
e) Birth dates (no years given on adults, only months and days)
f) Vocation, hobbies, interests, etc.
g) How long they have been a Christian
h) If they are involved in any small group at the present
 120

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