Information about creating/organizing new member classes.
In many of our churches, 80% of those who join disappear within 6 months. They visited and joined our churches with eagerness and enthusiasm. Some of these came to us from other churches. Others realized their need for Jesus as Savior and Lord. But something was missing. In the absence…
Too often churches enlist a key leader, such as a discipleship director, to do all the discipleship work. A planning team is needed.
Too often churches enlist a key leader, such as a discipleship director, to do all the discipleship work. A planning team is needed.
Simply stated, assimilation is the process of new people becoming part of a group. Assimilation efforts begin with relationship-building and evangelism efforts prior to joining a church and continue in connecting, discipling, and mobilizing efforts as part of the body of Christ. So new member assimilation begins the moment a…
I read an article by Thom Rainer entitled 6 Characteristics of Disciple-Making Churches on Outreach Magazine In the article, Dr. Rainer listed six common expectations of churches who are effective in making disciples. In these churches, members are expected to… attend an entry point class, attend an open group Bible…
In Part 1, I shared a set of questions to help you and your team as you plan your New Member Class. The questions related to (1) your purpose for the new member class, (2) the frequency you will offer it, (3) who will lead it, (4) will participation be…
In this two part series, I want to share some key questions as you evaluate or design your new member class experience. In Part 1, I want to guide you to consider the purpose, frequency, and leader of your new member class. Also, we will look at your participation expectation…
I recently met with a church that was having consistent baptisms but not experiencing net growth. They asked me to help them plan some strategies that would keep those they reached. About the same time I read Tom Rainer’s blog on “closing the back door.” How does a church keep…
These series of blogs will help you keep the people you reach and help you discern if your church is more like Teflon or Velcro? We have a twofold challenge…getting new people to attend and getting people to stick after they join and not slide off. So is your church…
Today I say farewell as the writer of 28Nineteen. On November 2, 2008, I will assume the Senior Pastor position at the First Baptist Church of Shelbyville, Kentucky. My family and I are very excited about our new assignment from the Lord. Read about our move in this Kentucky Baptist…
Two encounters are critical. First, the leader encounters God in His Word and is changed. Second, the leader guides the group to have a life-changing encounter.