The goal of an assimilation ministry is to help new members move from simply attending to belonging. It is the difference between renting and owning. As leaders, we want our members to accept responsibility and ownership for the church's ministries. Research shows that if assimilation does not take place in a relatively short time, the new member will begin to pull away and leave the church. Therefore, a deliberate ministry of assimilation is crucial to the local church.

An effective new member assimilation ministry includes opportunities for people to learn more about your church both before and after they place membership.

Orientation Meeting

This informational meeting should be offered monthly or quarterly depending on the number of regular visitors who attend your church. It is open to anyone who would like more information about the church in order to help them make an informed decision about placing member-ship. At this meeting, the process of placing membership as well as the expectations of membership should be communicated. Churches tend to receive in commitment what they expect from the new members when they join. It is wise to have the pulpit minister conduct this session because of the identity and relationship he already has with visitors.

New Members Class

After someone places membership, a class should be offered which helps continue the assimilation process. Surprisingly, research shows most churches offer this class in only one day. It may last for several hours, but alleviates the problem of group discontinuity. Topics to be covered include the history of the church, introduction of leadership, purpose, and mission.

Both of these informational meetings should be used as channels to assist new members in developing friendships, participing in life changing groups, and being involved in meaningful ministry.

Friendships

"The closest thing to Heaven, while living life this side of the grave, should be the fellowship of Christians living in community" 1 writes William Crabb and Teff Jernigan in their book, The Church in Ruins. Yet, as the authors suggest, churches rarely offer the biblical community they advertise. In fact, Lyle Schaller suggests 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. 2

Flavil Yeakly's research has proven the importance of friendships in the assimilation process. In his interviews with 50 active new members, all 50 could identify at least three friends within their first six months of placing membership (45 of the 50 listed six friends or more). He also interviewed 50 inactive new members and his findings showed almost the exact opposite pattern. They did not establish new friendships in their church in sufficient number to build the relationships necessary for effective assimilation. 3

When asked, "Why did you join this church?" the most frequent response is "the people seemed friendly?” 4 Kirk Hadaway writes, "Of the many things people expect from a church, the possibility of forming relatively close relationships with other members apparently is one of the most important.” 5

In a speech given by George Gallup, Jr. entitled "The Healing of America" he stated, "One survey reveals that 7 out of 10 people do not know their neighbor Americans move around more than most people and hence find it more difficult to sustain intensive friendships and bonds among neighbors. . . . In an average year, some 40 million Americans move. Put another way, every 10 years, between 40 and 60 percent of an average American town's population leaves?” 6

Churches must provide a context for its members to develop significant relationships. 7McIntosh and Martin notice that while many churches are inclusive in outreach, they are exclusive in fellowship. 8 A goal for any church should be helping its members move from superficial relationships to a sense of belonging and accountability.

Groups

The first century church had two strategies for the assimilation and spiritual development of its people: meeting in the temple area for the public proclamation of the word and smaller gatherings in homes (Acts 2:41 - 47; 5:39 - 42). 9 Acts 2:46 - 47 tells us the results of these home group meetings, "They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people." The reports of these small group meetings point to fellowship, friendship, and heartfelt needs being met.

Carl George describes the corporate worship service as "festival like atmosphere of praise and excitement. An attraction point for newcomers. . . ." 10 But he also suggests if these newcomers are to be taken from passive spectators to active members the church must move them from the "large group setting to smaller more personal gatherings.” 11

McIntosh and Martin suggest four key essential ingredients groups make to the assimilation mix: (1) Sharing -- being able to move beyond surface level conversation to a genuine relationship of knowing and being known by others. (2) Study -- each person in a small group learns to study with anticipation so that in the group there will be participation and outside the group there will be application. (3) Support -- an opportunity to share with others the joys, pains, and discoveries that each one experiences. (4) Service -- ministering to one another in the group and sharing our resources with those in need outside the group. 12

The rule of thumb is new groups for new people. Groups can easily become closed to newcomers; therefore Win Am suggests one out of five groups in the church should be less than two years old. 13 In order to keep the groups small and effective in developing relationships, there should be seven groups for every one hundred members. 14

Traditional small groups ministries have proven to be an excellent avenue for assimilation in many churches. Thom Rainer's research continues to point to the Sunday school as the most effective tool in assimilating members. He writes, "The research is clear if not overwhelming. Sunday school it the most effective assimilation methodology in evangelistic churches today. It is a place where teaching, discipleship, ministry, fellowship, and evangelism can all take place. It is the place where relationships are formed and people become connected to the church.” 15

Ministry

Romans 12:6 - 8 commands the church to allow its members to use their giftedness in order to worship and serve God. A key to satisfactory membership in the local church is being allowed to take ownership and pride in the ministries and programs of that church. Hadaway reports, "The more an individual has been absorbed into the life of a church, the less is the likelihood that he or she will desire to withdraw. . . .” 16 New members bring new gifts and freshness to the church.

Win Am defines a task or role as "a specific position, function, or responsibility in the church." 17 Arn's research concludes that plateaued churches offer 43 opportunities to become involved per every 100 adults while growing churches offer the members 60 tasks per 100 adults. He states, "These tasks are not busy work, but Kingdom work. These roles/tasks should focus on meeting needs, changing lives, and touching people with Christ's love and care." 18

An assimilated member is one who is busy and happy with his involvement in the work of his church. "Wise leaders'; says Kenneth Gangel, "help people find where they belong." 19 They also provide sufficient understanding of objectives, provide sufficient resources, and motivate their volunteers. 20

ENDNOTES:

1 William Crabb and Jeff Jernigan, The Church in Ruins: Foundations For The Future (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1991), 45.

2 Lyle Schaller, Assimilating New Members (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1978), 16.

3 Flavil R. Yeakley, Why Churches Grow (Broken Arrow, OK: Christian Communications, Inc., 1979), 53 - 55.

4 C. Kirk Hadaway, Church Growth Principles: Separating Fact From Fiction (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1991), 139. Oswald and Leas research showed "friendliness" to be a major reason for growing churches, The Inviting Church (Washington DC: The Alban Institute, 1987), 25.

5 lbid.

6 Quoted from a speech by George H. Gallop Jr., at Eastern College in St. David's, Pennsylvania, on June 2,1995; quoted in Stu Weber, Locking Arms: God's Design for Masculine Friendships (Sisters, OR: Questar Publishing, Inc., Multonomah Books, 1995), 215. Also see Mike Yaconelli, "I Don't Have Any Friends and I Think I Have Discovered theReasons," Leadership 3 (Summer 1996): 41 - 42.

7 Daniel S. Sarkipato's dissertation in the area of building friendships within the church offers a helpful model, "A Study of Building Relationships: Connecting With Others In God's Family at Trinity CRC" (D.Min. diss., Covenant Theological Seminary, 1996).

8 Gary McIntosh and Glen Martin, Finding Them, Keeping Them (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1992), 75. Schaller's second chapter in Assimilating New Members is devoted to the question "Whom Do We Exclude?”; 38 - 50.

9 Until the third century, house churches were the common meeting places for Christian congregations. It was during the time of Constantine (313) that basilicas or buildings began to be used. For an excellent survey of the movement from meeting in homes to meeting in church buildings, see C. Kirk Hadaway, Francis M. Dubose, and Stuart A. Wright, Home Cell Groups and House Churches (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1987), 38 - 55.

10 Carl George, Prepare Your Church for the Future (Grand Rapids: Fleming H. Revell, 1992), 76.

11 Ibid., 73.

12 Mclntosh and Martin, Finding Them: Keeping Them, 95 - 101.

13 Arn, The Pastor's Manual for Effective Ministry (Monrovia, CA: Church Growth, 1990), 70.

14 Ibid.

15 Thom S. Rainer, High Expectations: The Remarkable Secrets for Keeping People in Your Church (Nashville: Broadman &Holman Press, 1999), 47.

16 Hadaway, Church Growth Principles, 143.

17 Arn, The Church Growth Ratio Book (Monrovia, CA: Church Growth, 1990), 10.

18 Ibid., 68.

19 Kenneth 0. Gangel, Feeding and Leading: A Practical Handbook on Administration in Churches and Christian Organizations (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1989), 260.

20 Ibid., 262 - 265.